Toni BoydVP for Finance and Operations, The Westminster Schools
Toni Boyd joined The Westminster Schools as vice president for finance and operations in 2017 after serving independent schools for the previous 18 years. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Toni holds a masters of accountancy from the University of Georgia and certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She has lectured in accounting at the University of Georgia and consulted extensively with independent schools across the country and internationally on business office operations, not-for-profit accounting, and institutional governance. In her spare time, Toni enjoys being a member of the board of directors and a former chair of ESP, a charitable organization that serves developmentally challenged children and adults.
Rob EvansClinical and Organizational Psychologist
Dr. Rob Evans is a clinical and organizational psychologist and the former executive director of the Human Relations Service. A former high school and pre-school teacher, and for many years a child and family therapist, he has consulted in more than 1,700 schools throughout the U.S. and internationally. His interests have focused on change and resistance to change in schools and organizations, on the challenges of leading innovation, and on changes in American families and their impact on schools. He is currently concentrating on ways to improve collegiality and candor among educators and to promote realistic dialogue about accountability. Dr. Evans is the author of many articles and three books: Seven Secrets of the Savvy School Leader: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving, The Human Side of School Change, and Family Matters: How Schools Can Cope with the Crisis in Childrearing.
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Clay GibneyDirector of Technology, SAIS
Clay joined the SAIS staff in May 2019. He brings over three decades of hands-on technology support experience, including nine years as the IT director at an international association, where he worked remotely alongside 75% of the staff. After a brief foray in the corporate world, he is excited to return to association work. He is comfortable in a dual-platform environment, adores Microsoft Excel (to the point it was included in his wedding vows!), and also has experience being the only man on an otherwise all-female staff. He has been described as “a tech geek with personality” and enjoys hiking, wine festivals, playing guitar, and riding his motorcycle.
Michael ThompsonConsultant, Author, and Psychologist
Dr. Michael Thompson is a consultant, author, and psychologist specializing in children and families. He is the supervising psychologist for The Belmont Hill School and has worked in more than 700 schools across the U.S. as well as in schools in Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Dr. Thompson is the author or co-author of several books, including The New York Times bestseller, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys, as well as Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children, and The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Achieve Success in School and in Life. A dedicated speaker and traveler, he has appeared on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC 20/20, CBS 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America. He also wrote, narrated, and hosted a two-hour PBS documentary entitled Raising Cain.
Erica ZematisSpecial Assistant to the President’s Office, NAIS
Erica Zematis serves as special assistant to the president’s office at NAIS supporting NAIS President Donna Orem. Prior to that, she worked at the Jacksonville Country Day School as executive assistant to the head of school. She has over 20 years of experience serving in administrative support roles.
Erica has published articles to help assistants grow their professional skills, covering topics such as developing board meeting minutes, growing leadership skills, providing support in a virtual environment, and maintaining positive relationships. She has championed new NAIS initiatives to serve school executive assistants through webinars, peer connections, and a new toolkit. She holds an M.B.A. and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Florida.
Kathy CorwinExecutive Assistant to the Head, Christ Church Episcopal School
Kathy Corwin serves as the executive assistant to David Padilla, head of school at Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) in Greenville, SC. She joined CCES in 2000 as a member of the development team and was named executive assistant to the head of school in 2003 following the retirement of her long-serving predecessor. Mr. Padilla is the third head Kathy has supported during her 19 year-tenure as the head’s assistant. She holds a diploma in secretarial science, a B.S. degree in business administration, and held the rating of Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for many years. Prior to joining CCES in 2000, she enjoyed a varied career serving as an administrative assistant/office manager for medical offices, business forms distributors, and a church.
Sarah MurphyExecutive Assistant to the Head, The Howard School
Sarah Murphy joined The Howard School as the executive assistant to the head of school in the fall of 2018. Sarah is passionate about working with mission-driven organizations and learning how to support diverse teams of people. She also enjoys thinking of creative ways to use data and pivot tables in her day-to-day work. Prior to her position at Howard, she worked with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and Dialog, a global off-the-record thought retreat. Sarah holds a B.A. in philosophy from Georgia State University, and will begin an M.S. in applied psychology, with a focus on organizational psychology, from the University of Southern California in the fall.
Debra WilsonPresident, SAIS
Debra joined the SAIS staff in July 2019. She grew up in Connecticut, where she graduated from the Williams School, an independent school located on the campus of Connecticut College. Debra received her B.A. in English from Sewanee, The University of the South, and her J.D. from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. She previously served as general counsel for NAIS for 19 years. Before joining the NAIS staff, Debra was a tax litigator at the Department of Justice. Her past and current board service includes EMA-The Enrollment Management Association, GEB-Global Education Benchmarking, MISBO-Mid-South Independent School Business Officers, and NNSP-National Network of School Partnerships. She is an avid reader, photographer, and cook who loves to be outdoors in the low country of South Carolina.
Patrice WorleyAssistant to the Head, Jackson Academy
Patrice Worley has been an assistant to the head of school for 17 years at Jackson Academy, working with three different heads. She began in the development office assisting with fundraising and special projects. Prior to that, she was active in the parent’s organization, serving on the executive steering committee and as president. She has had the privilege of experiencing JA from the eyes of a mom, volunteer, and staff member.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in personnel management from the University of Southern Mississippi.
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