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Board Advisory Services

Bringing Proven Techniques and Best Practices to Each Board

Why Board Advisory Services?

An Investment in the Success of a Leader is an Investment in the Success of an Organization

The health of a school is inextricably linked with the health of its Board. No firm possesses the breadth and depth of school expertise of CS&A.  Our team of governance experts can help identify discrete areas for improvement and provide cost-effective services that don’t take forever to complete and implement. We offer a full range of customized consulting, designed to support Boards in all facets of their leadership. The first conversation is always free, so reach out to the experts below to learn more.

our SERVICES

Practical, Customized Solutions for Your Board

Head of School Evaluation and Goal-Setting

CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND ACHIEVABLE GOALS.

Good evaluation must start with mutually agreed-upon goals against which performance can be measured. Not only does this help a Head understand their objectives, but it also gets the Board focused in one collective direction. By keeping it simple and focusing the evaluation on the vital items that really matter, evaluation can form the basis for the next year’s goals. 

Succession Planning and Transition Support

A BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS.

Hiring the best leader is just the start of ensuring that person’s success.  Transitional support is designed to take the Head-elect and Board from the announcement through the first year, making sure they are well-prepared and well-supported.

Executive Coaching for Head and Board Chair

IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR LEADER.

The job of being a Head of School can be lonely.  A coach serves as a confidential sounding board, offers objective points of view steeped in leadership experience, and helps identify areas of difficulty or leadership blind spots that benefit from a fresh perspective. We frequently coach Heads of School and have found that providing team coaching for the Head and Board Chair can pay rich dividends in setting that critical relationship up for success.

Dynamic Strategic Planning and Sprints

CONCISE, FLEXIBLE, AND OUTCOMES FOCUSED.

Inclusive strategic planning takes many shapes and forms, from the school-wide strategic plan to discrete strategy sessions addressing pressing matters. We don’t think these processes have to take forever or feel like a chore. We will work with you to create an action plan that assigns accountability for results, metrics for success, and expectations for timelines. The focus is always on what you are trying to do and how you can get there quickly.

Mission, Marketing, and Messaging

MAKING THE CASE FOR YOUR SCHOOL.

You know the magic of your school, but can you express it from the perspective of someone not in your community?  Let our communications experts walk you through the process of defining your value within a crowded marketplace of competitors with compelling, inspiring, and unique messaging that resonates with its intended audience.

Crisis Management Assessment

CREATE THE TOOLSET TO WEATHER A CRISIS.

Effective crisis management requires proactive anticipation and preparation, as every moment counts in critical situations. Our experts leverage their real-world experience in crisis management to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a school’s crisis readiness. We also can advise school leaders, particularly Heads of School and Board Chairs, on navigating complex and volatile circumstances. 

Board Education and Governance Best Practices

SUSTAINABILITY STARTS WITH A HIGH-FUNCTIONING BOARD.

We seek first to understand where you are, then help you decide where you want to go and work with you to devise a path from here to there. Train your trustees, assess and improve your board operations, optimize the Board and Head relationship, and inject best practices. 

Head of School Compensation Assessment

IT’S NOT JUST SALARY ANYMORE.

The IRS strongly recommends that compensation for a leader undergoes a third-party review before implementation.  Carney Sandoe provides Compensation Committees and Boards with comparative data from our proprietary annual Head of School compensation survey, as well as 990 research and DASL data, all of which provide clarity and confidence that schools are competitive in attracting and keeping top leadership talent, while staying within the bounds of what is reasonable.

Retreat Design and Facilitation

FELLOWSHIP, REJUVENATION, DIRECTION.

Whatever your retreat goals are, we will create and deliver focused, actionable outcomes through interactive agendas that leave your team energized and feeling their time was well spent.

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A Fresh Set of Eyes, Informed by a Deep Understanding of Good Governance

Our team members all have deep experience in all kinds of situations in both U.S.-based and international schools. If you have any issue related to governance, from board-head relationships, to evaluation, to strategic planning, to board and committee configuration and structure, we can help.

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Allison Gaines Pell

Senior Consultant, Coach

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Julia Eells

Senior Consultant, Coach

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Bob Vitalo

Vice President, Search & Consulting Services; Practice Leader, Head of School Search

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Skip Kotkins

Senior Consultant

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Charlotte Brownlee

Consultant

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John Allman

Senior Consultant, Coach

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Scott Nelson

Senior Consultant, Coach

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Marsha Little

Vice President, Director of Professional Learning and Strategy, Search & Consulting Services

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Insights from Our In-House Experts

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A Proven Approach to Support and Guide the Board of Directors/Trustees

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Leading with Purpose: A President's Guide to Effective Board Leadership

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The Hidden Advantage: 5 Reasons to Invest in Executive Coaching

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Strengthening the Practice of Enrollment Management: The Importance of Having the Director of Admission/Enrollment Be Part of the Big Table Discussions

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The Importance of the Head of School Compensation Benchmarking Process

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We Are Here to Help

Whether you’re seeking your next career move or searching for your next school leader, we are here to connect you with a team member that can address your specific needs.

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Our Insights 

Learn more about trends and career insights through our resources. Stay informed with our latest articles and thought leadership pieces.

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Explore Insights
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Contact Us to Begin Your Executive Search

Ready to find the perfect leader for your educational institution? Get in touch with us today. Our team is here to assist you in every step of the executive search process.

617-542-0260 Recruitment@carneysandoe.com
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Expertise You Can Trust

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Personalized Support

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Making the Match

Contact Us- school inquiring about a high-level search and/or consulting
Icon of three abstract human figures in a circle, symbolizing a group or community concept.

Expertise You Can Trust

Icon of two hands supporting a person symbol, representing care and support.

Personalized Support

Icon of a person inside a circle with two arrows forming a loop around it, symbolizing user interaction or feedback.

Making the Match