Strategy that Survives Monday Morning
I help private and independent school leaders bridge the gap between high-level vision and the 8 a.m. carpool line reality — so you can lead with confidence (and maybe even finish your coffee).
The Vision is Clear.
The Daily Grind is Messy.
You are balancing the immediate needs of your families and faculty with the long-term sustainability of your mission. Whether you’re navigating an enrollment plateau, seeking to deepen volunteer engagement, or managing a complex governance issue, the work is demanding.
Often, the biggest challenge isn’t knowing where you want to go — it’s knowing exactly how to get there. You don’t need abstract theory. You need a partner who understands the politics, the personalities, and the parking lot gossip, and can help you map out the steps to get it done.
Many firms send a senior partner to sell you the contract, then hand your strategy off to someone who graduated two years ago. That’s not how I work. When you hire me, you get me. I’ll be your partner in progress from the first call until the final implementation — and I remain in your corner long after.
I bring a 360-degree perspective because I haven’t just studied independent schools — I live them.
No Junior Associates. Just Me.
The “Lifer” Perspective
As an independent school alum and a parent of 2 lifers, I know exactly what your families are talking about at soccer practice.
The Professional Perspective
With 13 years as a school administrator and 15 years as a workshop leader and consultant with Independent School Management (ISM), I’ve seen the difference between passing trends and tactics that work.
The Trustee Perspective
Having served as a Trustee and committee chair for 6 years, I know the weight of governance and the nuance of the Boardroom from the inside out.
I’m here to listen, analyze,
and give your team the certainty
and momentum to move forward.
“Penny was extremely responsive to all of our questions and made a genuine effort to get to know our school and our school’s culture.
I remain extraordinarily grateful for her compassion, time,
and attention to detail.”
— Julee LaPorte, Director of Enrollment Management
Practical Solutions.
Zero Fluff.
Mentorship & Leadership Support
Build capacity, not just plans. Leading an administrative office can be isolating. Give your directors of enrollment, marketing, and development the thought partnership they need to troubleshoot challenges, prioritize their workload, and “manage up” effectively.
Enrollment Management & Marketing
Find the right families and keep them. Sustainable enrollment isn’t just about filling seats; it’s about finding the right fit. Move from reactive recruiting to proactive systems that identify your best-fit families and take the panic out of admissions season.
Community & Volunteer Engagement
Turn the energy into an asset. Volunteers want to help, but without structure, enthusiasm can quickly become chaos. Channel well-meaning energy into productive support so you spend less time mediating conflict and more time advancing the mission.
Strategic Communications & Crisis Readiness
Sharpen your narrative. Plan for the unexpected. Audit your current channels, distill your value proposition, and build the crisis communications playbook you need. Grounded in journalism and PR principles, this work moves from foundational messaging frameworks to readiness planning — ensuring your team is prepared to communicate with precision before a situation arises.
A Roadmap
You Will Actually Use.
Step 1: The Discovery — We start with a conversation to understand your culture. I listen before I lead. I believe in being curious, not certain. (And I promise not to use corporate buzzwords like “synergy” or “paradigm shift”).
Step 2: The Deep Dive — I analyze your data against industry standards and bring two+ decades of real-world context. I interview constituents and ask the uncomfortable questions to find the root cause of the friction.
Step 3: The Plan — You receive a comprehensive Tactical Playbook. It’s not a doorstop; it’s a guide. It connects the dots between data and practice, giving you a checklist you can put to work immediately.
Step 4: The Partnership — A plan is useless if it collects dust in the cloud. I partner with you to turn that roadmap into reality, equipping your team with the priorities and the know-how to make it stick. (Extra caffeine is an upcharge).
Lead with a
Clear Path Forward.
Imagine looking at your enrollment numbers, your volunteer leadership, and your Board room and seeing alignment. When you bridge the gap between strategy and practice, you don’t just solve problems — you build a stronger, more resilient institution.
Your success is my success. Let’s get to work. (I’ll bring the coffee).