
Testimonials
What our clients and colleagues have to say.
“The team of Rick Melvoin and Vance Wilson represent a wealth of experience and insight in successful leadership of complex educational communities on a variety of levels–academic, intellectual, operational, governance, emotional, spiritual, athletic and cultural. These two individuals that over the years have demonstrated a deep commitment to developing sophisticated and balanced educational programs that encourage the emotional, character and intellectual development of students. As two past presidents of the International Boys’ Schools’ Coalition their experiences and contacts are extensive global and nuanced. Their experience in the development of boys is unparalleled. The duo provide a versatility in organizational leadership styles and approaches that is ideal for school leaders charged with the responsibility of building a culture of teamwork and cohesion. As a colleague and “unofficial” client over the past twenty years, I cannot image a better team to guide and mentor the leadership team—board and management—of a school community during these challenging times.”
David Armstrong
Former Head of Landon School
Executive Director of the International Boys’ School Coalition
“It is hard to express how very much Carolyn Chandler has meant to me as mentor, advisor, and friend in my headship. Her wisdom, experience, and insight into the fundamentals and nuances of effective leadership, communication, and decision-making have been invaluable for my success. In particular, our work together with the Return on Character instrument has provided a window into my strengths and areas for growth as a leader that has served me more than any other single professional development experience in my career. Any school leader would be fortunate indeed to have Carolyn’s guidance and collaboration.”
The Reverend E. Gary Taylor
Head of School, Trinity Episcopal School
New Orleans, Louisiana
“I have never met a Headmaster at any level who has done a better job heading a school in every way. Drew has that rare ability to be a visionary and strategic thinker, but also someone with a remarkable attention to detail. There are many qualities that are required to be a successful Headmaster, and Drew has excelled in all of them. Whether it is development, governance, team building, enrollment management, strategic and campus planning or advancement, Drew is second to none. I can easily envision him sharing his thorough knowledge of all these areas in the next chapter of his life. He is a man who wants to give back and to share his experience and perspective.”
Sean McManus
Millbrook parent ‘18 and trustee, Chairman, CBS Sports
“As a Trustee and school parent at Deerfield Academy, I can speak from experience in describing Margarita Curtis as a world-class leader who combines extraordinary academic management skills with inspiring warmth and empathy. Over 13 years as Head, those qualities were very much in evidence as she took an already storied institution to new levels of classroom excellence, financial strength, long-range planning and reputational acclaim. Margarita brought exceptional courage and integrity to a range of challenging issues during her tenure, including a sexual abuse crisis and the great financial crisis, demonstrating tremendous judgment, sensitivity and leadership across many different constituencies. Her vision and world-view – she’s a “global teacher” at heart – made her a popular and respected figure on campus and off, with students, faculty, parents, alums, donors, friends and peers in her field. I’m proud to call Margarita a friend and, as a CEO myself, I can’t imagine any leader, in any field, wanting a finer advisor, strategic or otherwise.”
Gregory J. Fleming
President and CEO, Rockefeller Capital Management
“I am incredibly grateful to have Marjo as my coach and mentor. She has an innate ability to help me identify key challenges, clarify my priorities, and develop actionable plans, all while providing encouragement and perspective. I have felt empowered to make important decisions and tackle complex problems, knowing I have a trusted partner who is both insightful and invested in my success. Thanks to Marjo’s guidance, I’ve not only seen measurable improvements in my professional performance but have also gained greater confidence in my leadership abilities. Marjo is always there when I need her, willing to listen and guide me in the direction I need to go.”
Andy Chappell
Head of School, The Derryfield School
“In addition to his long and distinguished service as Headmaster of Montgomery Bell Academy, I have worked closely with Brad Gioia for fifteen years (since 2009) in a range of international contexts. This includes establishing partnerships with heads of schools around the world, from Australia, China, Russia, South Africa, Pakistan, Colombia, Japan and several European states. His wide experience, ability to win trust and give sound and imaginative advice to schools seeking to improve their governance, curriculum, structures of pastoral care and global outreach, in different cultural contexts, make him one of the most trusted and respected educational consultants in the business.”
Dr Ralph Townsend
Director of Winton Consulting UK, Headmaster Winchester College UK 2005-2016, Oundle School UK 1999-2005, Sydney Grammar School Australia 1989-1999
“Carolyn Chandler was and still remains one of my leadership role models. I had the incredible fortune of working with her during one of the most turbulent and extraordinarily challenging times of our careers, when she had to bring a school community back after Hurricane Katrina, and I served as a division Head under her. She showed courage, compassion, strength, and optimism in the wake of the disaster. Her resilience, grace, and perseverance steered us away from devastation and towards a better, more vibrant, and inclusive school. Carolyn is one of the best leaders to have worked in independent schools, and I’m thrilled that she’s sharing her talents and wisdom with others at this stage in her professional life.”
Katherine Dinh
Head of School, Marin Country Day School
Immediate Past-Chair, NAIS Board of Trustees
“I could not imagine two more distinguished and accomplished independent school leaders. Both Vance Wilson and Rick Melvoin demonstrated their tremendous leadership skills, their keen strategic thinking, and their deep-seated values through their combined 44 years of service at Heads of two of the nation’s top schools – St. Albans and Belmont Hill – respectively leading each institution through a period of unprecedented success. Having gotten to know both men, I can confidently state that any school leader, board, or administrative team would benefit from their wisdom, guidance, and counsel.”
Robert Musselwhite
Board Chair of St. Albans School
2018-2020
“Margarita Curtis is an exceptional leader. I had the great pleasure of serving on the Deerfield Board of Trustees during ten of her thirteen years as Head of School and saw first hand the transformative impact she had on the school. The years of Margarita’s headship coincided with the advent of the Great Recession and with major disruptions in the broader education sector brought on by technology, geopolitical change and a shift in the tenor of our national conversations. The task that Margarita set for herself was to adapt the school to the swiftly evolving needs of the 21st century while maintaining the school’s core values of character development and commitment to service. Margarita met every challenge with energy, strength, calmness and compassion. She focused on creating opportunities for the professional growth of the faculty, refreshing the curriculum, nurturing a culture of academic and personal collaboration and communication, leading a resoundingly successful capital campaign, creating a positive and respectful diverse community, building local and international service programs, and expanding and enhancing Deerfield’s iconic campus to serve the needs of students. Margarita was innovative and bold, while applying technology to create metrics around innovations to measure and ensure effectiveness. And Margarita never lost sight of the school’s core values and her own; the rich tradition of character development was woven into the tapestry of everything she accomplished. I have been on boards of educational institutions serving students from kindergarten through graduate school and I can say, with enthusiasm, that Margarita is a star.“
Susan S. Wallach
Former Vice President, Deerfield Academy Board of Trustees
“Brad Gioia is an exceptional educator, leader, and valued colleague who represents the best of independent school education. Having served as a visionary and successful school head for nearly thirty years, Brad’s experiences, insights, and perspectives are invaluable.
Having worked closely with Brad in the resolution of several challenging professional situations, I have witnessed his ability to lead an organization through dilemmas and decisions with clarity, conviction, and compassion. Refreshingly, he exudes an abiding belief in the good of people.
Additionally, I have admired Brad’s sincere appreciation of a school’s embedded traditions while witnessing him tackling issues that challenge the same culture. Through his measured approach to problems and people, Brad pursues the solution that is right rather than what is easy.
Brad Gioia is a colleague I respect and a mentor whose wisdom has helped me become a better leader. I am confident other school heads and Trustees would benefit similarly from his wise counsel and guidance.”
Barbara E. Wagner
Former Head of Marlborough School
Executive Director, Heads Collegiate Forum
“Vance Wilson is an outstanding educator, advisor and counselor. He deals comfortably with faculty, staff, trustees and board chairs. As he began his work with our school and head, he developed a deep understanding of our school’s history, culture and needs. His is not a cookie cutter formula. By combing his knowledge of our school with his own vast experience, he gave advice that was both sagacious and immediately useful. In difficult times, he maintains a clear understanding and focus on what is important and helps advance the school while deflecting the focus from emotion and noise.”
Thomas L. Kempner, Jr.
Chair of the Board of Trustees
St. Bernard’s School, New York City
“After 10 years of headship, I had the opportunity to work with Drew Casertano and Kelly Garramone through the Return on Character Assessment (ROC) and have found it to be the single most valuable professional development experience of my life. The nature of the assessment, from its theoretical underpinnings to its process and format, is thorough and relevant. Even more, the wisdom and personal attention and care that Kelly and Drew brought to each stage of the process helped me access the learnings as fully as I was able. Finally, Drew’s coaching as I focused on my Keystone Habit has been extraordinary in helping me shift to become a more effective leader. I feel energized for my next decade of leadership as a result of working with Drew and Kelly through the ROC.”
Aaron Cooper, Head of School
New Canaan Country School
“Marjo’s vast experience and ability to think strategically while balancing the immediate needs of our program were invaluable. She is an excellent diagnostician and coach who ensures that the correct issues are addressed in a logical manner while growing the skills of the individuals involved.”
Lori Strauss
Head of Field School