Mary Menacho, Executive Director at Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) since 2020, has served independent schools as a teacher, division director, long-term head of school, trustee, board chair, association executive director, and governance consultant. A certified Executive Coach and certified by both BoardSource and Polarity Partnerships, Menacho holds an MA in Educational Administration from Santa Clara University and a BA in Elementary Education from University of Oregon. She speaks and writes on leadership and best practices in independent schools.

mary@isacs.org

Lou Salza, MEd retired in July 2018 after serving schools for 45 years. Most recently he served as head of school at Lawrence School (OH) and Assets School (HI). Prior to serving as a head, Lou served as vice principal, teacher, tutor, supervisor, and division head.  His board service includes the National Association of Independent Schools, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Glen Urquhart School (MA), Ohio Association of Independent Schools, and the Learning Disabilities Network. From 2009-2019 he served as group facilitator at the Harvard Principals Center’s Summer Leadership Institute for mid-career principals and heads. Lou currently serves on the Hawken School (OH) board of trustees.

Edward Hollinger, founder of Hollinger Group Consulting, is an educational leader and consultant specializing in transitional leadership, team development and professional coaching. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Temple University and is certified in organizational change and leadership coaching from Northwestern University. His work guides individuals and organizations through transitions and to a discovery and development of their best professional selves. Hollinger is currently serving as interim head of school at The Orchard School (IN).  

Lucinda Lee Katz is a board governance consultant and executive coach. Her background includes 14 years as the head of school for Marin Country Day School, roles as chief education officer for Mayor Daley in Chicago, and head of school and principal at The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She served as the vice chair and on the editorial board of NAIS, past president of the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and board chair for ISACS. She has also contributed her expertise to three private school boards in California.

Abigail Wiebenson became a leadership coach more than a decade ago following her 19 year headship of Lowell School in Washington, DC. Her practice includes coaching individual school leaders as well as leading Mastermind Groups across the country comprised of department chairs, administrative teams, heads and middle managers. For the past two years she's been one of the coaches-in-residence at NAIS' Annual Conference. Her website is www.abigailwiebenson.com.