SADIE ALBERTYN
Sadie Albertyn brings more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, department chair, dean, and division head in independent schools in the United States and abroad. Sadie is currently overseeing the implementation of several strategic plan initiatives at The Peck School (Morristown, NJ). Prior to her career in independent schools, she was employed at Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest institutional hedge fund, where her responsibilities included explaining the firm’s highly-diversified portfolio positions to municipal and state level retirement systems across the country. When engaging in strategic plan accountability and implementation work for Mission & Data, Sadie strives to bring forth institutional change while truly honoring the unique attributes of the school community. She is highly skilled in modeling complex ideas and communicating data narratives in simple and joyful ways.
Sadie serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Winston School of Short Hills, a K-8 school for intellectually capable students with language-based learning differences. In this role, Sadie has been instrumental in the acquisition of a new campus, including negotiation, purchase and renovation initiatives. Additionally, she serves on the strategic plan implementation and institutional advancement committees.
Sadie holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Barnard College as well as a graduate degree in economics from University of Massachusetts.
KEVIN HARIG
Kevin Harig founded Trabant Technology Partners with the mission of providing schools, not-for-profit, and for-profit businesses a technology partner that can translate their unique needs into technology solutions.
Kevin built his career focusing on technology, customer experience, operations, management, and leadership. Trabant Technology Partners aims to combine this experience, a growth mindset, and systems thinking to provide your organization with information technology solutions that fit your unique business.
JORDAN LAWSON PHD
Dr. Jordan Lawson, PhD is an affiliate consultant for Mission & Data as well as research software engineer at Brown University. He has extensive experience in experimental and quasi-experimental research design, statistical modeling, and computer programming.
Jordan has over seven years of experience working with multidisciplinary research teams to develop and employ causal inference methodologies and experimental research designs to examine school impacts. He has presented at national conferences and published in peer-reviewed academic journals on topics ranging from scale development to child development and non-academic barriers to educational achievement.
He received his degree in Applied Statistics and Psychometrics from Boston College where his research focused on school access and equity, causal inference, and simulating school enrollment lotteries. During his tenure as an education researcher at Boston College, Jordan worked with faculty from Boston College and MIT to implement and simulate complex enrollment algorithms. As a result of this experience, he developed a deep interest in programming and computers.
Jordan’s passion lies at the intersection of engineering and applied education research. He loves building statistical models and research tools that help drive change. Jordan's larger, driving mission is to promote a more equitable society through the use of technology and statistics for social good.
LOUIS FIERRO
Louis Fierro is a seasoned data professional with experience in publishing, healthcare, and education. Louis' broad experience includes data leadership in the areas of data visualization, data governance, data warehousing, e-commerce, and compliance requirements. In 2016, Louis left the corporate world for education, seeking a different kind of mission. He currently serves as the Director of Information Technology at Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia where he is responsible for all information technology functions at school and expands the use of data across offices and at the senior leadership level.
NIKKI GAMRATH, PHD
Dr. Nikki Gamrath has 30 years of experience in education, most recently as the Head of School at Berkeley Hall School in Los Angeles, California. Previously she held posts as the Vice President of Educational Development and the Academic Dean at the Teton Science School Mountain Academy in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Assistant Head of School at The College School in St. Louis, Missouri. Before entering into independent school leadership and administration, Nikki worked as a Professor of Education at Principia College teaching pre-service educators, where she also currently teaches several upper level teaching methods courses. She started her career in education teaching middle school Humanities for nearly a decade and approaches all of her teaching and leadership roles with a pedagogical expertise in experiential, inquiry-based, place-based, and project-based teaching and learning.
Working closely with Boards of Trustees both as a Head of School and a Board member herself during changing times, Nikki brings a breadth and depth of knowledge to schools who are looking for a shift.
Nikki holds a BA in Education and English from Principia College, a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Antioch University, an Education Specialist Degree (EdS) from McKendree University, and an EdD in Curriculum Development and Instruction from Mckendree University.
AVIS LEVERETT PHD
Dr. Avis Leverett is an affiliate consultant at Mission & Data leveraging more than two decades of broad and diverse teaching and strategic leadership experience. Skilled in working in PK-16 environments, much of her work has focused on teaching and leading in both independent and public schools. Avis has a passion for teacher and leadership development, coaching and leading through organizational change, and guiding individuals and institutions in maximizing their impact through the strategic planning process.
Most recently, Avis served as the Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives at University School of Milwaukee where she led the school through the completion of the accreditation process with the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and oversaw the strategic planning process with the school’s committee and Board of Trustees. In previous roles, she has served as the Director of the Learning Center at George School, a Quaker boarding school serving students in grades 9 - 12. She has held a variety of school-level leadership positions including principal and assistant principal at several New Jersey public schools. Avis was honored as the Assistant Principal of the Year from the New Jersey Association of Secondary School Principals for her work at Piscataway High School. Avis began her career in education as a high school science teacher.
Avis earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University, her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey, and doctorate from Temple University in Educational Psychology. Avis and her family are transplants to the midwest, and now call Milwaukee home. She is active in several social organizations and continues to be an advocate for children serving on the Board of Directors for both the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and Rocketship Charter Schools.
DENISE MUSSELWHITE
Denise Musselwhite is a respected technology professional with over two decades of experience in senior leadership roles in legal, education, technology, and non-profit sectors. She's among the less than 5 percent of Latina women globally to serve as a Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Board Chair.
Denise founded Tech & Thrive™, a consulting and coaching practice dedicated to the growth and potential of diverse technology professionals. She holds a B.S. in Information Technology Management, M.S. in Leadership, and professional certificates in executive coaching, self-optimization, board leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Denise is a catalyst for change, helping organizations keep, grow, and attract top talent.
Denise served as a Director of Technology and Chief Information Officer in roles in independent schools for 22 years and serves as the Board Chair of the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS).
GRETCHEN WARNER
Gretchen Warner is an Affiliate Consultant at Mission & Data and the Head-elect at the Overlake School in Redmond, WA. During the `23-`24 academic year, Gretchen is on an Adventure Sabbatical designed to include intellectual, physical, and heart expeditions. Gretchen has been the Head of School at The Madeira School, a Division Head at the Archer School for Girls, and a longtime teacher and coach. Gretchen is a courageous educational leader who is a trailblazer and lead learner. Keenly focused on high-impact teaching and learning and community connectedness, she uses research, data, and a lot of heart to lead independent schools into the next era of education.
As a strategic tactician and human-centered systems thinker, Gretchen is skilled at developing and facilitating professional development for Boards and Senior Leadership teams. Topics include Institutional Structure & Effectiveness, Strategic Planning & Action, Effective Governance, and Designing for the Future of Education.
While an expert in education, at her core Gretchen, is an outdoor-loving nerdy scientist. She received her B.S. in chemistry from Virginia Tech and her M.A. in chemistry from The University of Virginia.
SUSAN WAYLAND
Susan K. Wayland, MBA is the Founder and CEO of Strategic Finance Advisory, LLC (“SFA”). Established in 2019, SFA serves independent schools and nonprofits, providing interim CFO/COO services, strategic financial planning, financial software implementations and consulting on best practices for business offices.
Susan has more than 35 years of experience leading the finance function in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Susan currently serves as part-time CFO for three independent schools with enrollments ranging from 30 to more than 500. Susan’s most recent full time role was as the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations for the San Francisco Day School, a K-8 independent school with 400 students.
As the Controller and Director of HR for the San Francisco Art Institute, Susan’s achievements
included negotiating union contracts and participating with the leadership team to secure
financing for a $40M building project. Susan’s experience in finance with for-profit companies includes wineries, insurance companies, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
Susan holds an MBA in Corporate Finance from Golden Gate University where she has also taught undergraduate and graduate level business finance courses.
SUSANNE CARPENTER
Susanne Carpenter is a strategy and leadership consultant and the principal and founder of Carpenter Leadership Consulting. As an educational leader for more than 20 years, Susanne partners with independent school leaders to develop and advance high-functioning and strategy-focused leadership teams.
Before founding her firm, Susanne served as the Assistant Head of School at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA. As Assistant Head, she was responsible for the high school program, including academics, arts (dance, music, theater, visual art, writing, film & media arts), student life, community programs, and college counseling. She led the school’s strategic partnerships- New England Conservatory at Walnut Hill and Boston Ballet School's Professional Division at Walnut Hill- creating alignment with all organizations and programs.
Susanne has served as Director of Admission at Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, MA, and Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA. She developed and implemented enrollment management processes in both schools, improving enrollment, and yield during her time.
Susanne graduated from Westover School and received her B.A. from Wheaton College. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees at Westover School.
MARTHA AMBROS
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 continued 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 increasingly complex responsibilities of independent school finance and operations. With Mission & Data, Martha will work 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 will coach business office leaders in building strong partnerships with finance committees and committee chairs as well as coach business office leaders new to their roles and new to the independent school context. She will contribute 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 will be effectively utilizing 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.
ALEX HALLADAY
Alex Halladay is an education professional committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in independent schools. As the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at The Northwest School in Seattle, Alex leads a team in crafting and implementing targeted enrollment strategies. With a M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago, Alex brings a robust academic background to her work. Her career launched at the UChicago Undergraduate Admissions Office as a member of the Equity and Access team responsible for multicultural outreach and the equitable assessment of applications. A strong commitment to developing more thoughtful anti-bias practices for independent schools in application assessment grew from her time in higher education.
In prior roles, such as Director of Admissions at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences and Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Greenhills School, Alex successfully implemented strategic plans, resulting in a substantial increase in enrollment. Dedicated to national initiatives, Alex has served on the faculty for the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference for 10+ years and actively contributes to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice think tank assembled by the Enrollment Management Association.
Beyond enrollment management, Alex holds key leadership positions, including Chair of the Board of Trustees at Lake Washington Girls Middle School, showcasing a commitment to fostering inclusive educational environments. Additionally, she has been a successful College Advisor for families for over 5 years. Recognized with the Rising Star Award from the National Enrollment Management Association, Alex's expertise spans enrollment management, college counseling, DEI initiatives, and anti-bias consulting. With a profound understanding of enrollment management tools and adept facilitation skills in DEI discussions, Alex is excited to jump into a school community and discover the individual approach each community needs.