Martha Ambros is passionate about the strategic and day-to-day importance of finance and operations in delivering on each school’s mission. As Executive Director of the California Independent Schools Business Officers Association (Cal-ISBOA), Martha provided practical solutions and programs to support Administrators and Business Office staff including CFOs, Business Officers, HR Directors, and Facilities Directors at more than 280 schools throughout California. In her work with business office professionals, Martha developed an understanding of the finance and operations issues and opportunities facing independent schools. She supported schools to better understand and use finance and operations data to frame strategic decision making and assess progress. Martha oversaw the development and implementation of Cal-ISBOA’s highly-valued data survey ensuring it delivered timely, relevant data.

Martha continues to be a pragmatic resource and sounding board for business office professionals as they navigate the ever expanding and complex responsibilities of independent school finance and operations. With Mission & Data, Martha works with Heads of School, business office leaders, and other members of the leadership team to enhance the group’s financial acumen and mission-driven, data-informed decision making. Martha coaches business office leaders in building strong partnerships with finance committees and committee chairs as well as supporting business office leaders new to their roles and new to the independent school context. She contributes to Mission & Data’s efforts providing direction in addressing strategic plan goals and accreditation recommendations relating to finance and operations. A key aspect of these efforts is understanding data already available to the school to inform strategic discussions, set actionable goals, and assess progress.

Martha received her BA in Economics from Tufts University and MBA with a concentration in Marketing from the Anderson School at UCLA. She has held positions in finance, consumer goods marketing, and nonprofit and independent school fundraising, and is a current trustee at High Point Academy.