Executive Search
Brian Jensen, Senior Executive Search Consultant, shared, “Lisa had been on our radar for a while, but we were waiting for the right opportunity - and this was it. The Intown board was impressed from the start and they are very excited to have her take the leadership reins.”
Intown Community School is a K-8 school that began in the fall of 1987 when a small group of Christian educators and parents had a big vision to start a covenant school inside the perimeter of Atlanta. They had no Headmaster or building, but they did depend on God. His provision came from places where they had no influence, so Intown Community School is God’s work. Intown Community School is a member of ChildLight Schools, an association of schools providing a Charlotte Mason education to thousands of children around the US and beyond.
Intown Community School recognizes that all life and learning are accomplished within the broader context of God’s Truth. As a covenant community, the school believes parents are the primary educators of children, and it is the school’s calling to come alongside parents in raising life-long learners. Intown Community School nurtures students’ curiosity about God’s world with a curriculum rich in literature, hands-on experiences, and in-depth study to promote critical thinking.
Opportunity
Intown Community School was searching for a new Head of School, as their previous Head was retiring after dedicating 16 years of service to the institution. The school sought out the assistance of Vanderbloemen to aid them in finding the ideal candidate. Intown Community School was looking for a candidate who would align with the school's values and goals. The new head of the school required experience in education and administration and would need to be able to support growth in enrollment.
Our consultant, Brian Jensen visited Intown Community School in Atlanta, GA to meet with Michael Garcia, the Board of Trustees Chairman, and the Intown Community staff. This meeting was crucial for gaining insight into the school's culture and operations. Brian personally met with each staff member to gather feedback on two key aspects: what they seek in a candidate and what it's like to work at ICS. After meeting with everyone, the search for a suitable candidate began with the notes gathered during the meetings.
At Vanderbloemen, we prioritize finding candidates who share the same values and mission with the organizations they will work with.
Solution
Intown Community School had Lisa Kelly on its radar, and with God's perfect timing, it all aligned. Lisa consistently prioritizes the well-being of her staff, families, and students. She is relational, has strong leadership skills, and ensures that everyone is well taken care of and equipped in their positions. Lisa is intentional about making sure that everything is Christ-centered in the work she does.
Lisa comes from Mt.Bethel Christian Academy as Lower School Head. With her prior experience with education being superior, during COVID she led a planning task force. She created programs for students who learn differently to give them the support they need. She consistently goes above and beyond doing her best to create a welcoming learning environment. Lisa was drawn to Intown Community because they shared a mission to cultivate a Christ-centered learning life.
Result
In June 2022, Lisa Kelly officially became the Head of School at Intown Community School. She has continued to make a positive impact wherever she goes. The Intown Community School Board of Trustees was excited to see what Lisa would bring to the table. After her first year as Head of School, Lisa ran an annual fundraising campaign that exceeded its initial goal by almost 50% and increased parent participation by 35%. She continues to make meaningful impacts at Intown Community.
Benefit
The benefit of hiring Vanderbloemen is that we have the search capabilities to find the ideal fit for your organization, whether the right person is already working for you or is living halfway across the globe. We can provide an extensive reach and a full-staff approach for organizations that otherwise would be limited to their local networks and would need to sacrifice other responsibilities to invest in a quality search. We are able to bring schools and organizations executive position candidates they could not find on their own.
If you’re ready to start the conversation around hiring, contact our team. We’ll guide you through the hiring process at every level, from job descriptions to signing the offer letter.
