Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Consulting

Members of DEIB Team Speak at VISIONS Summit

VISIONS is an organization dedicated to empowering the creation of environments where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated, and utilized for the benefit of all. It held its 2022 Spring Summit, Equity in Action, on May 12 where a diverse network of field experts and community leaders convened to discuss the policies and practices that have made a lasting impact within their institutional structures.

With an influx of organizations looking to prioritize DEI, the Summit addressed how businesses can best implement structural changes that not only meet the needs of the industry but are actionable, sustainable, and reliable to the diverse individuals that enhance it.

VISIONS invited two members of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practice to participate in the event. Lawrence Alexander, Practice Leader of our DEIB Practice, was the lead speaker of a block focused on strategic planning. Brandon Jacobs, Search Consultant with our DEIB Practice, participated in a panel discussion on recruitment and hiring.

Alexander is Keynote Speaker at IACAC Conference

Lawrence Alexander, Practice Leader of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practice, served as keynote speaker at the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) Annual Conference on April 27-29 in Chicago.

Lawrence presented “What Now!? Our Critical Response Theory.” As the national theatre calls the critical work of college admission professionals related to anti-racism into question, how are they strategizing their professional response and responsibility? If the profession is dedicated to equity, access and inclusion for all, how do they include all? Does the profession have an answer and if so, how well are they articulating it? Participants learned the core issues facing the profession regarding anti-racism and developed practical tools to create systemic change. Participants also learned language that will help them enter into courageous conversations within their communities

Large CS&A Presence at MCRC@ADVIS Conference

Several CS&A team members presented at the MCRC@ADVIS DEIJB Conference on April 4 and 5.

Brandon Jacobs, Search Consultant, and Kim Garner, Chief Operating Officer, Placement Group, and Director of Conferences, presented “You Have a Story – Now Tell It: How BIPOC Candidates Can Show Your Best Self in Your Cover Letter, Resume, and Interview.”

Lawrence Alexander, DEIB Practice Leader, and Brandon Jacobs presented “Around the Table from Around the Work: A Roundtable Discussion about the Trends, Themes, and Impact of DEIJB Efforts in Independent Schools.”

CS&A is proud to be an underwriter of the event.

Members of DEIB Practice Partner with Vanderbilt Peabody College

On March 9, Brandon Jacobs, Search Consultant, and Lawrence Alexander, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practice Leader, were panelists at an Independent School Virtual Roundtable at part of the Peabody Independent School Leadership Master's Program at Vanderbilt University.

In this virtual session titled “Cultivating a DEIB Lens in Our Schools: Avoiding the Glass Cliff,” Brandon and Lawrence discussed promising practices for transitioning from a framework of DEIB programming organized by a school practitioner, to cultivating a school-wide collective lens of DEIB. Independent school practitioners from more than 26 states, 46 schools, and 6 independent school association groups attended the session.

Bob Vitalo Presents at NAIS Conference

During the 2022 NAIS Online Annual Conference March 2-4, Bob Vitalo, Vice President for Search and Consulting Services, presented an on-demand general workshop session in the Leadership Development track.

The state of independent school leadership is under intense scrutiny. Research done by NAIS has shown that there is high turnover and shorter tenures. Fewer educators are expressing interest in securing headships.The pressures from parents, boards, and students make the job less attractive. Thankfully, capable, committed, and qualified people are still being called to take up these challenges. While that is encouraging, schools are also being pressed to diversify their hiring. Schools would be better served by greatly increasing the number of women and people of color as school leaders.

Titled “Getting Schools the Leaders They Need and Deserve,” the session explored why schools need to invest in developing more diverse leaders. Attendees learned how to promote new leaders and aid schools in the hiring process. Job seekers learned how to best package their skills and qualifications to get the job.

Bob was joined by Tekakwitha Pernambuco-Wise from The Wyndcroft School (PA) and Christopher Seeley from Saint Thomas Choir School (NY), both recent CS&A appointees, to discuss their experiences.

FCIS Welcomes Lawrence Alexander as Keynote Speaker

Lawrence Alexander, Search Consultant and Practice Leader of our DEIB Practice, was the keynote speaker on day two of the Florida Council of Independent Schools' (FCIS) Winter Symposium which took place February 16 and 17 at Miami Country Day School.

Lawrence closed the event by discussing “What Now!? Moving from the Performative to the Transformative (Equity in Action),” invoking attendees to apply what they have learned at the event to their own school communities. How are you moving your school community from the performative responses in the comments sections to the transformative action in your strategic plans?

Proud Sponsor of CAIS Trustee/School Head Conference

On January 30, the Search and Consulting Group was proud to sponsor the 2022 California Association of Independent Schools' (CAIS) 2022 Trustee/School Head Online Conference.

The Trustee/School Head Conference provides new and experienced trustees, school heads and religious leaders workshops and sessions on a wide variety of topics vital to independent schools attracting more than 900 participants.

Bob Fricker, Practice Leader of the Domestic Head of School Practice, and Karen Whitaker, Search Consultant, were both in attendance. Bob was featured in a pre-recorded video introduction of the afternoon keynote speakers.

Brandon Jacobs Leads Session at SAIS DEI Institute

Held this year January 25-27 in Charlotte, NC, the Southern Association of Independent Schools' (SAIS) Diversity Practitioners Institute brings together those doing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion at independent schools.

On January 26, Brandon Jacobs, Search Consultant in our DEIB Practice, facilitated a breakout session titled “How to Build, Foster, and Execute a DEI Strategic Plan.” In his workshop, he covered how a school can build, foster, and execute a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan from beginning to end. 

Heather Flewelling at AISNE Heads’ Retreat

Heather Flewelling, Chief Talent Officer and Search Consultant, was a session leader and keynote moderator at the Association of Independent Schools in New England's (AISNE) 2022 Heads' Retreat and Annual Association Meeting which took place January 25-27 in New Castle, NH.

On January 27, Heather led a session titled “The Head of School and DEI Director Partnership: How to Navigate and Lead in the Face of Challenges and Opportunities,” indentifying ways in which the HOS/DEIB Director partnership is central to schools’ successful navigation and growth of inclusive excellence and becoming the communities of belonging they aspire to be.

Later in the day, Heather drove a conversation with keynote speaker Gish Jen. In an engaging discussion with Heather, Gish made connections between her nonfiction and fiction work, her upbringing, her experience with public and private schools, and her life as a Chinese American.