Staff Contacts

Sheri joined the SAIS staff as the director of professional development in June 2017 and became the director of resources in 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Alabama. Over the past 20 years, she has served in both public and private institutions, teaching at the early childhood, lower, and middle school levels. Sheri has experience as a classroom teacher and technology coordinator with Woodland Presbyterian School and Lausanne Collegiate School, both in Memphis. She most recently served as the curriculum development coordinator with St. Mary’s Episcopal School, also in Memphis. Sheri enjoys rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty, whether it is outside in the garden or in the kitchen whipping up a new recipe.

Pat joined the SAIS staff in July 2023. He previously served as the director of academic affairs at Athens Academy in Athens, Georgia, since 2004. Prior to that he served as English department chair, teacher, and coach at The Steward School in Richmond, Virginia, from 1996 until 2004. Pat earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia. Pat and his wife Kelley have been married for 26 years are the proud parents of three children: Abby, Ben, and Henry.

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.

Amber joined the SAIS team in May 2024, having most recently served as communications manager for SAIS member school Mount Paran Christian School, located in Kennesaw, GA. She also has previous association management experience as manager of membership and communications for the Georgia Society of Association Executives. With nearly 20 years spent serving alongside various nonprofit organizations, Amber has extensive fundraising, volunteer management, and event planning experience. She earned a B.A. in English with a minor in professional writing from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, GA, an M.A. in communication with an emphasis in public relations from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, and a graduate certificate in school management and leadership from Harvard University. In her free time, Amber enjoys reading, painting, baking, gardening, and, most of all, spending time with her family.

Brett joined the SAIS team in July 2024, having most recently served as the chief executive officer at The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta. During his tenure, the school experienced exponential growth in enrollment and gained a national reputation for innovation in education. Illustrating this, Mount Vernon’s upper school launched a school-within-a-school model, Innovation Diploma, whose students have served as consultants for Delta, Mercedes, AT&T, Porsche, and the National Center for Civil & Human Rights. In 2012, Brett started an R&D lab known as Mount Vernon Ventures, serving educational communities throughout the world. Over the past decade, Ventures has welcomed over 1,000 teachers and administrators to education visitation days, workshops, and summer conferences. Recently, he founded Mount Vernon Online, an online high school, enrolling its first cohort of students in August 2022.

The transformational story at Mount Vernon was recognized in 2021 by NBOA when Brett received the inaugural Jeffrey Shields Innovation in Operations Award. Additionally, he was highlighted by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the 2017 Most Admired CEOs in the education category. Prior to coming to Mount Vernon, he served as head of school at Second Baptist School in Houston, Texas, where he began his teaching career and deepened his expertise as division head, dean, and development director.

Elizabeth joined the SAIS team in July 2021. She began her career in education in 2005 as a leadership program faculty advisor for middle school students at Envision EMI in Washington, D.C. She continued there as a program coordinator and professional development manager. In 2012, she joined Woodlynde School as an upper school learning specialist then was appointed head of lower school in 2014 and assistant head of school in 2016. She holds a B.A. in communications from NC State and an M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jill joined the SAIS staff in July 2023. She has more than 20 years of association management experience. Most recently she served as the manager of membership and sponsorship for the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA). Jill graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, with a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2009. She loves coffee, music, a good story, and hanging out with her dog, Ruby.

Abby joined the SAIS team in February 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and translation studies from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in hospitality business management from Michigan State University. Abby earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in July 2021. Before joining the SAIS team, she worked for Marriott International as both a banquet and restaurant manager. Abby enjoys cheering on the Michigan Wolverines, quilting, and reading.

Lori joined the SAIS staff in August 2003. She holds a B.A. from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY, and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She is an active member of both ASAE and GSAE, the Georgia Society of Association Executives, having served on multiple committees, co-founded a special annual fundraising campaign, and chaired the GSAE Board of Directors. She has also served on the boards of Rhodes Hall, DeKalb League of Women Voters, and Georgia Piedmont Land Trust and has volunteered for YearUp Atlanta, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Red Clay Music Foundry. In her free time she enjoys traveling, attending concerts and music festivals, and reading.

Anna joined the SAIS staff in May 2014. She graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in sociology. Throughout college, she worked as an intern, administrative assistant, and substitute teacher at The Suzuki School in Buckhead. She has a love for education and a passion for working with and helping people of all ages. Anna spends her free time volunteering for animal welfare causes, exploring the outdoors with her dog, and spending time with family and friends.

Carole joined the SAIS staff in April 2015. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B.S. in education. She worked for 15 years at McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, as executive assistant to the head of school as well as administrative assistant to the vice president for planning and board relations. When Carole is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and three adorable grandchildren. She also enjoys hiking, reading, golfing, and porch-sitting.