2024 Summer Conference | Speakers

Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D., is a psychologist, consultant, coach, speaker, and author with 40 years of experience working in educational and clinical settings. She earned her masters and doctorate in counseling psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and a B.A. in creative writing from Princeton University.

She founded Team Finch Consultants in 2000, specializing in helping schools and organizations create inclusive communities by understanding gender and sexuality diversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Jennifer to reorganize her consultation services and she now works as Re-Set School helping K-12 schools strategically center well-being in all that they do. When faced with so much change and uncertainty, building equitable, healthy, connected, and sustainable learning communities is the essential work of every school.

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Best-selling author of School Leadership from A to Z: How to Lead Well Without Losing Your Way, for two-decades Davies taught, coached, and led across all grade levels as a school principal and head of school.

As an ICF-certified leadership coach trained at Georgetown University, Davies’ approach helps clients expand their self-awareness, leverage their strengths, prioritize their wellness, and optimize life both at work and at home.

Born and raised in Minnesota, when not roaming the Earth as an author, coach, and speaker, Davies calls Colorado and Madrid home.

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Dr. Pascal Losambe is the co-founder, chief content officer, and senior consultant for Synergy Consulting Company. Pascal has a bachelor’s in molecular biology and biochemistry from Middlebury College and a M.S. in biology with a focus on neurobiology from Boston College where he received the Donald J. White Award for teaching excellence. Pascal has earned his Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies at Purdue University with a focus on cultural competence. Pascal serves as the director of diversity and community life at Columbus Academy. Pascal consults and presents to companies and other organizations on various topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion, educational leadership, and organizational culture. Pascal’s achievements include being invited onto the Purdue University Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Advisory Board as well as the Riverview International Center Board- an organization that serves New Americans.

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Sarah earned her B.S. in education from Miami of Ohio and later earned her master’s degree in middle grades education. After getting involved in planning curriculum and programing for the school, Sarah went back to school and earned her certificate in leadership from Georgia State University. Soon after, she was hired as an assistant principal and a year later, in 2013, became the principal of the middle school at The Galloway School. This summer, Sarah is excited to begin a new journey and take on a new leadership role at Galloway as the athletic director.

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Jen Baccus currently serves as the head of lower school at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC. Jen began her career as a reading specialist in North Carolina public schools before joining Ravenscroft as a 1st grade teacher in 2002. In 2016, Jen became the associate director of enrollment management, overseeing lower school admissions until her appointment as the new head of lower school in the spring of 2023. Jen received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Wake Forest University and her graduate degree in curriculum and instruction from North Carolina State University. Jen is a highly relational leader who strives to build community among her colleagues, families, and students.

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Candace Bell is a 20 year veteran educator who earned her bachelor’s degree at Saint Louis University and her M.Ed at Georgia State University. Candace spent the first ten years of her career teaching in the elementary public school setting, where she held a variety of teacher-leadership positions. The next step on her journey brought Candace to the world of independent schools as she joined The Galloway School in Atlanta as a middle school math teacher. Since that time, Candace has served in the role of middle learning assistant principal for seven years and is excited to move into the position of middle school principal next year.

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Suzanne Billips is the learning support coordinator for students in grades 1-4 at Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, NC. She is the current department chair and has been at GDS for 15 years. While there she has taught students in grades Bitty Bengals (age 3)-5th grade and has previously taught in public elementary and middle schools. Additionally, Suzanne has served as co-facilitator of the NCAIS virtual roundtables for the past four years. She has co-led the SAIS academic support roundtables as well as presented at conferences for both NCAIS and SAIS.

Suzanne graduated from Wingate University with a B.S. in elementary education and UNC-Charlotte with a master’s in reading education. She holds numerous certifications in serving students with diagnosed learning differences and was the recipient of the Carla D. Dowler Tradition of Caring Award and the Alumni Extra Yard award at GDS.

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Trish Bogdanchik is the head of upper school at The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta, GA. Trish cares deeply about personalizing and customizing learning for students. She has designed and launched successful programs in SEL/advisory, ESOL intervention, curriculum development, and professional learning. Trish is a specialist in both establishing and growing schools and culture, both in domestic settings and internationally. She has experience in competency-based learning, project-based learning, expeditionary learning, and place-based learning. A forever chemistry teacher, Trish values the impact that genuine inquiry can have on a child’s life. Her current focus is on developing impactful portfolios, creating personalized pathways for students, and reimagining how schools use time and space in a forward thinking way.

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Kristin Bouldin serves as the 9th grade dean of students at Christ Church Episcopal School, where she is completing her eleventh year. She also teaches ancient and medieval history. Kristin has held a grade-level dean of students position since 2017 and has worked with 9th graders as a classroom teacher since 2013. For the past four years, Kristin has worked closely with her colleague and co-presenter, Zay Kittredge, on creating a more inclusive 8th to 9th transition program. Their program fosters a natural transition between CCES’s middle and upper schools. Kristin believes that to create an effective transition program, one must be willing to reevaluate methods each year and adjust as necessary.

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Erin Cole currently serves as the assistant head of lower school for student learning at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC. With a career woven from threads of teaching in the classroom, reading intervention, and instructional leadership, she has over thirteen years of experience in multiple education-related roles. Erin received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University and her graduate degree in educational leadership from DePaul University. She is a relentless pursuer of joyful learning and especially enjoys helping teachers hone their instructional craft.

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Jared is the head of learning & innovation at The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta, GA, where he also works as the resident competency based education specialist, coaching and supporting teachers on CBE assessment and instructional practices. He serves as a senior consultant and editor for MV Ventures where he consults with schools on a variety of topics related to teaching and learning and serves as senior editor of MV Ventures’ quarterly R&D Reports, where he recently published the report, “A People-Centered Organization Living in an AI World.” Jared is passionate about authentic assessment, purpose-driven learning, and the idea that collective intelligence is how we solve the world’s most wicked challenges. His most recent research and work focuses on how schools can adopt and develop a more robust “futures literacy” as a collaborative, learning organization by engaging in various foresight practices such as scenarios-based planning and speculative design fiction work.

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Stephanie Dwyer serves as world language chair (PK-8), 8th grade Spanish teacher, and faculty advisor to house captains at Randolph School in Alabama. She began her career as an upper school Spanish teacher at Baylor School in Tennessee, then at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, and went on to work as senior associate director of admission and director of financial aid at Miss Porter’s School. She later served as head of middle school at Independent Day School in Connecticut. Stef graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in Spanish and political science and earned her M.S. in teacher leadership from Quinnipiac University. Stef believes strongly in the power of expertise, relatability, relationships, and respect in her work with middle school students. She relishes mentoring and supporting the young leaders who serve as house captains at Randolph.

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Jeff Edmonds has worked for over 20 years in both high school and university settings as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Currently the assistant head of high school for academics at University School of Nashville, Jeff has taught a variety of subjects across the curriculum: physics, chemistry, philosophy, and mathematics. He also served for two years as world language department chair. In his administrative role, he manages logistics, grading, and course scheduling while also leading the development of high school faculty alongside the head of high school and department chairs. Beyond USN, Jeff serves on the steering committee for the Malone Schools Online Network, an academic consortium allowing Malone Schools to share faculty, students, and curricula across the country.

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Marc Frankel, Ph.D. is a senior consultant and partner in Triangle Associates, an international consultancy specializing in higher, independent and international education. A psychologist by training, Marc facilitates governance workshops, leadership development programs, and strategic planning in the United States and around the world, and coaches numerous senior leaders in universities and independent schools. His clients include schools in Europe, Asia, and North America, including large and small institutions and Tier 1 universities.

Marc is a member of the governing board at the Wildwood School (Los Angeles). His undergraduate degree is from the University of Utah, and he completed his Ph.D. at Emory University in Atlanta. Marc has been part of Triangle Associates for over 25 years.

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Bridget Gwinnett began working with children as a child and adolescent therapist in a clinical mental health setting and then in private practice. Bridget has been the upper school counselor at Greensboro Day School since 2010. She seeks to support students in the hard work of being a teenager, provide parents with tools for handling the everyday experience of raising adolescents, and supply teachers with the resources to deliver challenging quality instruction while recognizing the developmental and emotional needs of their students. Bridget holds a master’s in counseling psychology; is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and supervisor of Counselor Associates; a founding member of Heart of Character, a nonprofit organization working with schools to develop a culture of student wellness; and is a licensed trainer in Restorative Practice.

Evan Harris is the president of Pathos Consulting Group, an AI and automation consultancy committed to helping schools successfully integrate advanced technologies. Learn Pathos stands out by employing a holistic, systems approach in education, focusing on staff automation, student AI empowerment, and ethical professional development. This strategy not only enhances operational efficiency but fosters deep and durable change across school communities. Evan brings a decade of experience in independent schools as a teacher and administrator to his role. His postgraduate studies in private school leadership from Teachers College and in technology ethics at Stanford’s Human Centered AI Program enrich his leadership at the consultancy.

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Helen Kiser has dedicated her career to educational leadership and improvement. She has a diverse educational background including a M.A. in bilingual elementary education from the University of New Mexico and administration and supervision certification from Johns Hopkins University. As head of lower school at Hammond in Columbia, SC, she oversaw significant growth and led the introduction of a design lab for lower school. Previous roles include director and elementary principal at Balboa Academy in Panama, where she implemented innovative programs and served as a founding member of the Panama Association for Internationally-Minded Schools. Additionally, her international consultancy work with the United Nations focused on child advocacy and early childhood development. Helen brings extensive experience in curriculum development, technology integration, and professional development to her speaking engagements, aiming to inspire educators and drive positive change in schools worldwide.

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As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Zay Kittredge has worked as a therapist in a variety of settings including clinical practices, a community center, a jail, and an agency for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2018, Zay returned to his alma mater to serve a community dear to his heart as CCES’s upper school counselor. In this role, he has integrated himself as a trusted student support, collaborative administrative team member, collegial presence for faculty, and occasional jokester. In these capacities, Zay strives to shape culture, growth, and gratitude through relationship and conversation. His integrative approach to counseling, as well as his interest in Play Therapy, inform his work with advisee programming, social-emotional learning, and community building.

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Jon’s chief mission is helping organizations and individuals challenge the status quo. In his role as a senior school program director with Challenge Success, Jon’s worked with dozens of schools over the past several years in reimagining how schools might better support the needs and growth of its students. Previously, Jon worked at a university helping students to engage in “vocational wayfinding.”

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Alex Koenig, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with active licenses in NM, OR, and WA. She serves as executive director of AC (Authentic Connections) Groups which is a nonprofit organization that fosters people’s resilience by ensuring they have dependable, supportive relationships in their everyday lives. AC Groups offers an evidence-based program that is focused on developing positive coping skills and forging dependable close relationships. Alex is passionate about supporting those in caregiving roles, including parents, educators, and healthcare providers. She also works as a primary care psychologist at Presbyterian Medical Group and has her own private practice.

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Susan is the associate head of school for wellness and belonging at Forsyth Country Day School and is a senior consultant for EXPLO Elevate, a global innovative schools cooperative. Susan is a proven, relational educational leader and consultant having served with joy in executive and leadership roles at independent schools and in higher education. She holds an earned doctorate in educational administration and is a licensed clinician. She completed Harvard University’s Principals’ Center program on Race, Equity, and Leadership in Schools; over a decade of training in Leadership Development Essentials by the Center for Creative Leadership, and certified as a Better Conversations Every™ facilitator and executive coach. Sharing gratitude for serving as a leader – this is near and dear to her heart, Susan travels nationwide as a keynote speaker, consultant, and coach. Susan considers any day where students, families, and schools find connection to be a great one.

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Renée Prillaman has been an educator, coach, and consultant for over 40 years. Her coaching and consulting work focuses on supporting and coaching educators who seek to be courageous, authentic, and joyful school leaders. As a result of her years of leadership experience in a range of roles, Renée is uniquely suited to support division directors, associate heads, and instructional leaders. She believes deeply in the need for and power of transformative coaching for senior administrators.

Renee holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and instructional supervision from UNC-Chapel Hill and coaching certifications in neuro-linguistic programming and Satir Global Coaching. Renee served as a clinical professor in education and child development at Meredith College, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke University. For 23 years, she was a Carolina Friends School teacher, head of middle school, assistant head for teaching and learning, and acting and interim head of school.

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Jennifer Ragsdale currently serves as the head of the middle school at Randolph School in Huntsville, AL, a role she has enjoyed for five years. With a passion for student support, Jennifer began her career in administration as a grade level dean and later served as the middle school dean of students. In her current role, Jennifer enjoys supporting both students and faculty in their educational journey. A lifelong educator, Jennifer began her career as a music teacher and band director. Although she has taught students at all levels, Jennifer is especially passionate about working with middle school students and appreciates nurturing their growth through the transformative middle school years. Jennifer holds a bachelor of music education degree from Appalachian State University (NC) and a master’s degree in educational leadership from The Pennsylvania State University.

Linda Register earned her B.A. at Bucknell University, a B.S.N. at the University of Texas at Austin, and her M.S.N. in health care systems—informatics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a graduate of Greensboro Day School and has served as director of health services at GDS for more than 20 years.

Esohe Roland is a highly respected educator with a background in educational leadership and nearly a decade of teaching experience. Her acclaimed book, Dear First Year Teacher, showcases her expertise in guiding novice educators. Currently pursuing her doctorate, she focuses on employee retention in schools, addressing systemic challenges. With extensive experience in trauma-informed education, retention strategies, best practices, and mentorship for teachers, Esohe is dedicated to creating supportive learning environments for all. Her passion and commitment to excellence make her a compassionate leader, inspiring positive change in education.

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Judy Schechtman, M.S.W. is senior consultant and principle of Triangle Associates, an international consultancy focusing on independent and international schools. Judy specializes in governance, strategy, leadership development, and executive coaching. She has written and researched extensively on a broad spectrum of topics related to governance and leadership and has designed and developed assessment methodologies for boards, heads, and senior leaders in independent and international schools.

Judy received her B.A. in psychology from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) and her graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis (MO). She is a former trustee at an independent school in St. Louis, MO.

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Zakaria Sherbiny is the founder and principal coach of First Rodeo Coaching. A certified executive coach, he founded First Rodeo on the premise that every independent school leader deserves a coach to help them fulfill their potential and maximize their impact on their school communities.

Zakaria is a former independent school leader and teacher who intimately understands the experience and challenges of school leadership. A graduate of the schools of education at Harvard University and Columbia University, he works with senior leaders and heads of school to help them do hard things well.

In 2024, Zakaria was selected by NAIS to serve in the Coaches’ Corner at the Annual Conference. He also serves as a practicum mentor for master’s students in the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College. He is certified by the International Coaching Federation, making him one of the few executive coaches of color operating in independent schools.

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Danielle Vallas is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice and is the president of D&G Wellness Consulting which provides trainings, coaching, and professional development to corporations, schools, and athletic teams on a variety of wellness topics. She serves as a graduate school professor at the University at Buffalo and is a certified trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness teacher. Danielle has earned a wellness coaching certificate from Cornell University, a master in mental health counseling from the University at Buffalo, a masters in health education from Canisius University and a B.S. from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in psychological and physical health and well-being. Danielle has over 25 years experience working in the health and wellness field as a former school wellness director, wellness coach, wellness consultant, yoga teacher and private practice clinician. Danielle is dedicated to helping others achieve a healthier and more balanced approach to wellness.

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Blake is in his fourth year at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School where he serves as the head of upper school. Prior to this work, he was at St. Anne’s-Belfield as the upper school dean of students, registrar, a member of the residential life staff, and head golf coach. Blake also taught math, coached, advised, and served as a grade level dean at both St. Anne’s-Belfield and Gentry High School in Indianola, MS. Originally from North Carolina, Blake began his educational career at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD, where he worked with the annual fund.

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