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Penny Abrahams, Founder & Principal of Penny Abrahams Consulting, is
a consultant specializing in marketing, communications, and constituent
engagement for private and independent schools. She brings more than
two decades of experience as a school administrator and consultant in
marketing, communications, enrollment, development, volunteer
management, and governance. Her background includes serving as a
workshop leader, consultant, and department head with Independent
School Management (ISM) for over 15 years, and as an independent
school Trustee for six years.
Sarah Barton Thomas serves the community of Trinity Episcopal School in Charlotte as the Lower School Chaplain. Previously she served as Head of Lower School at TES, but has transitioned to follow a vocational call on her life. In her 25 years of school-based work, she has been a music teacher, technology facilitator, cross country coach, and division head. She has spent several years in the education and outreach realm of several US Opera companies including San Diego Opera. She has a passion for using mission as a foundation for community building and is exploring this topic in her doctoral thesis through Virginia Theological Seminary.
Chuck Baldecchi joined Charlotte Latin School (a coeducational school with 1,550 students, TK through Grade 12, in Charlotte, North Carolina) as Head of School in 2019. In an independent school career exceeding three decades, he has fostered the growth of students by empowering them to take risks — with the support of their community. Baldecchi previously served as Head of The Lexington School (a coeducational Nursery through Grade 8 day school in Lexington, Kentucky) from 2004 to 2019, Director of Admissions at The Asheville School (a coeducational 9–12 boarding and day school in Asheville, North Carolina). He taught English and coached at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia (also his high school alma mater), and served as Summer Programs Assistant Dean of Students at the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut.
Todd Ballaban is proud to serve as head of school at Charlotte Prep. Previously, he led the middle school at Charlotte Latin School for eight years, where he drove enrollment growth and spearheaded major school-wide initiatives. Before moving to Charlotte, he held leadership and teaching roles at La Jolla Country Day School and Brentwood School in California. A native of California, Todd attended boarding school at Berkshire School in Massachusetts before earning his B.A. in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought from Amherst College, where he played collegiate ice hockey and golf. He earned his M.A. in Educational Leadership from California Lutheran University. Outside of school, he enjoys golf, ice hockey, cooking, hiking, playing pickleball, and exploring new places around the world.
Michael Drew serves as Head of School at Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina. An independent school educator for nearly three decades, Mike has spent his career working with students, faculty, and families in a variety of teaching and leadership roles. Prior to joining Cannon, he served as Associate Head of School and Middle School Campus Head at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, and spent 13 years at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, including 10 years as Middle School Head. He began his career as a middle school science teacher and coach. Throughout his career, Mike’s leadership has focused on building strong school communities, developing and supporting excellent educators, and creating student-centered programs that balance meaningful relationships with academic growth. He holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.Ed. from Lesley University.
Meghan Hilleboe
2026-2027 Academic Leaders Virtual Series
Developing the Next Generation of School Leaders
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Virtual Series
Conducted via ZoomUnited States
Academic Leaders Series: Developing the Next Generation of School Leaders
Independent schools thrive when strong educators step into leadership with clarity, confidence, and purpose. The Academic Leaders Series is designed for department chairs, program directors, and aspiring administrators who are ready to expand their impact beyond the classroom.
This program series equips emerging academic leaders with the skills, strategies, and mindset needed to lead adults, strengthen teaching and learning, and help their schools navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing educational landscape.
Through a combination of in-person and virtual expert guest speakers, real-world case studies, and collaborative peer learning, participants will deepen their capacity to lead effectively at both the interpersonal and institutional levels.
What Participants Will Gain
- A clear understanding of the transition from teacher to leader
- Practical tools for managing faculty, navigating conflict, and building strong teams
- Strategies to support and develop excellent teaching
- Confidence in leading initiatives, managing operations, and making strategic decisions
- Skills to use data thoughtfully and lead innovation in their schools
- A network of peers facing similar challenges across independent schools
Program Structure
The program is comprised of 6 virtual sessions organized around core areas of academic leadership:
- A Leadership Orientation
- Cultivating Team & Culture
- Managing & Growing Others
- Operations & Administrative Management
- Curricular Leadership
- Change Leadership & Decision-Making
Who Should Attend
- Department Chairs and Grade-Level Leaders
- Program Directors and Coordinators
- Teachers aspiring to move into administrative roles
- New or early-career academic administrators
Why This Program
Academic leadership in independent schools requires more than strong teaching. It demands the ability to lead people, manage complexity, and think strategically. This program is designed to bridge that gap, providing participants with both the practical tools and the big-picture perspective needed to lead with impact.
Registration Options
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Registration Options
|
Credits | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
NCAIS Member Registration
|
9.00 (CEU) |
$250.00
Price will increase to $300.00 on
9/16/26 12:00 AM EST
|
|
Guest Registration
|
9.00 (CEU) |
$300.00
Price will increase to $350.00 on
9/16/26 12:00 AM EST
|
Penny Abrahams, Founder & Principal of Penny Abrahams Consulting, isa consultant specializing in marketing, communications, and constituent
engagement for private and independent schools. She brings more than
two decades of experience as a school administrator and consultant in
marketing, communications, enrollment, development, volunteer
management, and governance. Her background includes serving as a
workshop leader, consultant, and department head with Independent
School Management (ISM) for over 15 years, and as an independent
school Trustee for six years.
Penny has advised more than 100 schools internationally and is a frequent speaker at regional
and national conferences, helping mission-driven leaders connect strategy to day-to-day
practice so that every touchpoint with families, donors, faculty, volunteers, and alumni reinforces
their school’s value and purpose.
and national conferences, helping mission-driven leaders connect strategy to day-to-day
practice so that every touchpoint with families, donors, faculty, volunteers, and alumni reinforces
their school’s value and purpose.
Sarah Barton Thomas | Cultivating Team and Culture
Sarah Barton Thomas serves the community of Trinity Episcopal School in Charlotte as the Lower School Chaplain. Previously she served as Head of Lower School at TES, but has transitioned to follow a vocational call on her life. In her 25 years of school-based work, she has been a music teacher, technology facilitator, cross country coach, and division head. She has spent several years in the education and outreach realm of several US Opera companies including San Diego Opera. She has a passion for using mission as a foundation for community building and is exploring this topic in her doctoral thesis through Virginia Theological Seminary. A former NAIS Teacher of the Future and OPERA America Fellow, she holds a bachelor's degree in vocal music education from Northwest Missouri State University and a master's degree in school administration from Johns Hopkins University. Sarah loves walking alongside emerging and seasoned leaders as they build their toolbox of intentional and mission based gathering design, leadership development, instructional strategy, family communication, and classroom regulation skills.
Chuck Baldecchi joined Charlotte Latin School (a coeducational school with 1,550 students, TK through Grade 12, in Charlotte, North Carolina) as Head of School in 2019. In an independent school career exceeding three decades, he has fostered the growth of students by empowering them to take risks — with the support of their community. Baldecchi previously served as Head of The Lexington School (a coeducational Nursery through Grade 8 day school in Lexington, Kentucky) from 2004 to 2019, Director of Admissions at The Asheville School (a coeducational 9–12 boarding and day school in Asheville, North Carolina). He taught English and coached at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia (also his high school alma mater), and served as Summer Programs Assistant Dean of Students at the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut.A Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University, Baldecchi received his Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and English Literature. He currently serves on the boards of School Year Abroad, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, and Leadership + Design. He is a member of both the Heads and Principals Association and The Heads Collegiate Forum. He enjoys sailing, skiing, philosophy, and time with his family, especially in Maryland at their summer home. He and his wife Erin are the proud parents of three Latin alumni: Bella, Alex, and Cade.
Todd Ballaban is proud to serve as head of school at Charlotte Prep. Previously, he led the middle school at Charlotte Latin School for eight years, where he drove enrollment growth and spearheaded major school-wide initiatives. Before moving to Charlotte, he held leadership and teaching roles at La Jolla Country Day School and Brentwood School in California. A native of California, Todd attended boarding school at Berkshire School in Massachusetts before earning his B.A. in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought from Amherst College, where he played collegiate ice hockey and golf. He earned his M.A. in Educational Leadership from California Lutheran University. Outside of school, he enjoys golf, ice hockey, cooking, hiking, playing pickleball, and exploring new places around the world.Bio coming soon!
Michael Drew serves as Head of School at Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina. An independent school educator for nearly three decades, Mike has spent his career working with students, faculty, and families in a variety of teaching and leadership roles. Prior to joining Cannon, he served as Associate Head of School and Middle School Campus Head at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, and spent 13 years at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, including 10 years as Middle School Head. He began his career as a middle school science teacher and coach. Throughout his career, Mike’s leadership has focused on building strong school communities, developing and supporting excellent educators, and creating student-centered programs that balance meaningful relationships with academic growth. He holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.Ed. from Lesley University.For More Information:
Director of Programs
North Carolina Association of Independent Schools
(704)461-1812 x4
Sessions will meet virtually from 12 PM - 1:30 PM on the following dates:
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November 4, 2026
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December 2, 2026
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January 13, 2027
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February 3, 2027
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March 17, 2027
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April 14, 2027