2025 Academic Leaders Conference

Academic Leaders by Meghan Hilleboe

Presenters

Dr. Michelle Klosterman, PhD, Assistant Head of School

Dr. Michelle Klosterman is a dedicated educator who believes in the power of student-centered learning. As the Assistant Head of School at Forsyth Country Day School, she oversees a wide range of programs that support student growth, including curriculum development, wellness and belonging, innovation and technology, library services, college counseling, and special education. With over 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Klosterman has a proven ability to create engaging learning environments that inspire curiosity and foster critical thinking. Her strong academic background in curriculum, special education, and biomedical engineering allows her to bring innovative approaches to the classroom and empower students to reach their full potential.

Dr. Casey Bell, ISM Consultant 

Casey first joined ISM as an adjunct faculty member for Advancement Academy, Summer Institute, and school-year workshops in 2019. She became a full-time Admission and Enrollment Management Consultant in 2023. She specializes in marketing communications, enrollment management, scheduling, and organizational structures within schools. 
In her role at ISM, Casey does the following:

• Consults schools in areas such as admission, marketing and communications, scheduling, and faculty culture.
• Leads workshops and webinars in the areas of her expertise.
• Leads sessions and is a mentor at the Advancement Academy, an annual premier professional development conference from ISM for School heads, board members, and development, enrollment management, and marketing communications professionals.

Casey most recently served as the Director of Enrollment Management at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior, she served as the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management at Spartanburg Day School in South Carolina.

Sahil Bhargava, Co-Founder, ScheduleX

Sahil spent four years at Toddle helping private schools use technology more effectively. That’s where he learned how to build simple, powerful tools that school leaders actually enjoy using. He’s always been passionate about education—and when he saw how broken scheduling was, he knew it was the right problem to solve.

Kristen Duval, Co-Founder, ScheduleX

Kristen brings over 15 years of experience in K–12 education technology. She spent 12 years at Blackbaud and the past three as an independent consultant helping schools solve complex scheduling challenges. With more than 10,000 hours spent building and analyzing schedules, she’s seen hundreds—if not thousands—of them. ScheduleX is the product she always wanted to exist. 

Dr. Yolanda McClure, Director of Teaching and Learning at Forsyth Country Day School

Dr. Yolanda J. McClure is an experienced educational leader and expert in professional learning and development. As the Director of Teaching and Learning at Forsyth Country Day School, she leverages over 15 years of experience to empower educators through coaching, mentorship, and innovative professional learning programs.  Dr. McClure's leadership is characterized by a commitment to a robust faculty experience, developing and implementing onboarding programs, guiding curriculum development, and strategically ensuring organizational coherence. She holds a doctorate in education from Northeastern University, specializing in Teaching, Leadership, and Learning, as well as a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to her leadership and teaching roles, Dr. McClure has actively contributed to the educational community through professional presentations on topics such as literacy integration and differentiation strategies. Her strategic leadership has consistently driven improvements in instruction, student learning outcomes, and school culture. Through her work, she continues to advocate for professional learning that equips educators to meet dynamic student needs and foster long-term academic success.  Her unwavering passion for literacy, professional growth, and student success continues to inspire those she leads and works alongside.


Lauren Frye, Architect

With more than 15 years of professional experience and architectural degrees from Princeton University and the University of Virginia, Lauren is a practicing architect, educator, and nonprofit founder/board chair.  She is a big picture thinker with an eye for detail, and a design thinking evangelist.  Passionate about the power of design to build community via thoughtful engagement, respectful reuse, and responsiveness to natural systems, Lauren strives toward a practice that celebrates the latent value in people and places.


Nicole McGregor, Regional Sales Manager, Smith System

With a proven track record in education management, Nicole has dedicated her career to empowering students of all ages. She holds a Master of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and possesses expertise in areas such as classroom management, curriculum development, and fostering a love for literature. Nicole is committed to sharing practical strategies and insights gained from years of experience in the classroom.