A graduate of Denison University with a B.S. in Biology, Palmer earned a M.Ed in Science Education from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His 44-year professional career in exceptional independent schools is marked by experience across the grade spectrum from preschool through high school, in both day and day boarding schools, and in seven schools representing six states.

Palmer began his career as an exemplary science educator in classrooms spanning fifth grade general science through twelfth grade Advanced Placement Biology. Palmer completed his career in Jacksonville, FL after nine years as head of school at Riverside Presbyterian Day School (RPDS).

During his career, Palmer was named by his students to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for his gift of breaking complex scientific principles into their manageable components. In addition to his teaching career, Palmer has coached numerous sports and has provided school leadership as a Dean of Students, an Assistant Head of School and then as a Head of School for twenty two years. 

He has served in regional educational leadership through service to the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools and the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools; in each case he was both an elected board member and officer. Palmer was a long-standing member of both the National Association of Independent Schools and the Elementary School Heads’ Association, and he was a presenter at national and regional conferences for NAIS, NAES, SAES, and FCIS. 

Palmer was a contributing author for the 2003 edition of Looking Ahead, the NAIS book encouraging visionary thinking within independent schools. He has enthusiastically served on the boards of membership organizations that nurture independent school administrators and teachers. His natural, highly collaborative leadership style is ideal for modern educational settings and leadership.

Peggy Campbell-Rush currently serves as a US Government Fulbright Education Specialist and has helped over 150 countries with educational best practices. She is a nationally and internationally recognized education expert who has presented her keynotes and workshops at schools and conferences around the world. Peggy is doing educational consulting in the US and abroad with administrator coaching, mentoring, and instructional support and mentoring for teachers.

Peggy retired as the Head of the Lower School at the Bolles School, Jacksonville, Florida in 2021. She has been in education for over 50 years and has been an administrator and teacher in both the United States and England. Peggy has sailed around the world twice studying global education on the Semester at Sea Program. Peggy has been honored as a Fulbright Specialist, Fulbright Fellow and two-time National Teachers Hall of Fame finalist, USA Today All-American Teacher Team award, two-time New Jersey Teacher of the Year finalist, and named Walmart Teacher of Year.  Peggy’s current international travel and professional development include Singapore, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Ecuador. And lastly, in addition to many education articles in periodicals, Peggy is the author of seven books and working on her eighth.

Dr. Wendy Katz has been an educator for 47 years. Her expansive career began as a special education teacher, and then she served as a curriculum coordinator. Her first administrative assignment was as an assistant principal of a middle school, and she subsequently became the principal for eight years of the only K-8 school in Sarasota County at the time.

In 2003, she was promoted to Director of Leadership Development for the Sarasota County Public Schools. During the next eight years, she created a distinct career pathway for aspiring administrators. 

After officially retiring from the Sarasota County Schools, she became more involved with her own consulting firm: WJK Education Consulting. Initially she consulted at private schools out of state, but for the next seven years facilitated four Leadership programs for Sarasota County Schools. Dr. Katz continues to serve as the Initiative Manager for EdExploreSRQ for The Patterson Foundation. 

Additionally, Dr. Katz has taught as an Adjunct Professor in Education Leadership at the University of South Florida at the Sarasota-Manatee campus and, starting in Fall 2021, at the University of Florida. She volunteers on the Community/Schools Partnership for the Arts Steering Committee (C/SPA) and serves on the Board of Trustees at Hershorin-Schiff Community Day School, where she served as Interim Head in 2014. She serves on the Sarasota County School District’s Cultural Proficiency Committee and FLDOE/Wallace Foundation Leadership Development Committee.

Dr. Katz is a graduate of Leadership Florida Education Class III and the National Staff Development Council Academy program. She served for three years as a member of the National Association for Secondary School Principals’ Principal Preparation Task Force and has facilitated several summers at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She received a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University, a Specialist’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova University, a master’s degree in Reading, a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Indiana University, and certification in Gifted Education.

In addition to her professional career accomplishments, Dr. Katz is the proud mother of four phenomenally successful children and grandmother to seven inquisitive grandchildren.

A graduate of an independent school, Craig has degrees from Washington U. (St. Louis) (B.A.), The University of North Carolina (M.S.P.H.), and The University of Kansas (M.B.A.). He began his academic career at Pembroke-Country Day School where he served in a variety of capacities over 21 years. These included: teacher of 6th and 7th grade science, biology, geometry and field biology; coach of middle school basketball and track and varsity swimming; chair of the January Interterm and Independent Study programs; chair of the Traditions Committee during the merger of Pembroke-Country Day and Sunset Hill schools; administrative responsibilities of Assistant Principal (Middle school and Upper School), and Principal (Upper School).

He was the Headmaster of Trinity Preparatory School from 1993 to 2016, during which time enrollment grew from 512 to 870, a campus master plan was completed, a Spiritual Life Policy was implemented, two tax exempt bonds were authorized, the curriculum was revised and Board structure was organized around three strategic plans. Trinity Prep is the only school in Florida selected by the Malone Family Foundation to receive a $2.0 M endowment to establish the Malone Scholars Program.

Craig was a member of the planning committee that developed the Malone Schools On-Line Network. During his time at Trinity Prep, the school provided funding and volunteers in the building of 20 Habitat for Humanity houses.

Craig was a member of the FCIS Board of Directors including terms as Secretary, Vice-President and President. He chaired the Annual FCIS Conference, led the New Teacher Institute, and chaired numerous school accreditations. He participated in the revision of accreditation standards and accreditation protocols. 

Cindy Moon has been deeply involved in independent school education and leadership for over 30 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and Head of School. She brings a comprehensive perspective to the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing and leading independent schools.

Throughout her career, Cindy has led transformative efforts in the schools she has served. These include strategic planning aligned with mission clarity, ensuring enrollment and financial sustainability, advancing data-driven instruction and innovative educational practices, and enhancing health and safety protocols. She has also successfully implemented nationally recognized inclusion programs and character education initiatives. Her leadership has extended to the construction of new campuses as well as the creation of innovative learning and community spaces.

Cindy currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Peace and Justice Institute and is an active member of the CRC Network and the K-Ready Community Project. She has completed two terms on the Board of Directors for the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), co-chaired and helped plan FCIS Annual Conventions, and has served on numerous FCIS evaluation teams across the state. In addition, she has mentored new heads of school and presented workshops and keynote sessions on topics such as school culture and climate, institutional change, sustainability, and the identity of independent schools.

Cindy brings extensive expertise in teacher recruitment, retention, and leadership development. She excels in guiding educators into leadership roles and fostering mission-aligned governance in faith-based schools. She has led collaborative accreditation processes, strengthened parent partnerships, and created impactful student leadership opportunities.    

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College, as well as master’s and specialist degrees in special education and educational leadership from National Louis University.

Cindy is honored to serve in an advisory capacity and aims to inspire a renewed sense of purpose in educational leadership. She is committed to helping schools define and implement actionable strategies that advance their missions and support thriving communities.

Michael Papa has a reputation and record of highly successful academic leadership. He has extensive experience leading strategic planning, change management and fund development for independent schools. Moreover, he is a leader of integrity and high ethical standards. He describes himself as a “builder” with a “growth mindset” who understands the subtleties of independent school climates and cultures. Michael knows how to build a foundation of trust for leading Independent Schools.  He is an open and clear communicator, articulating his record, his values, and his aspirations for independent school leadership

He has served as Head of School or Division Head in seven Independent and Jewish Day Schools throughout the country. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Nasson College, a Master of Science degree from George Washington University, and education, strategic planning and executive leadership training from NOVA Southeastern University and Harvard University School of Business. 

Michael wears two titles proudly in retirement, Head of School Emeritus from Bayside Academy and Captain in the U.S. Navy with more than 24 years of service. 

Dr. Jan Pullen spent her first 15 years at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton Florida as a Division Director in three different divisions and in 1998 was named the Associate Head of School. From 2003–2023, she served as Head of School. In her tenure at Saint Stephen’s, she saw the school grow from 220 students in 1988 to an enrollment of 740 in 2023. Under her leadership, the school evolved from a campus of thirty-five acres where classes were held in trailers in the early years to now where classes are held in beautiful, state-of-the art buildings, including a marine science center, dock and a S.T.E.A.M. Center.  

Dr. Pullen holds degrees from Manatee Junior College (A.A.), Florida State University (B.S.) and National Louis University (M.Ed.). In May 2013, she graduated with a doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in educational leadership and organization from the Mid-Career program at the University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Pullen is currently a member of or served on the following: Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)-second term, Vice-President; Chair of Member Services Board of Directors of Global Outreach-Tanzania Governing Board of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, serving on the Finance Committee Manatee Community Foundation Board of Directors Herrig Center for the Arts Board of Directors in Manatee County. 

In addition, for the past several years, Dr. Pullen and the Executive Director of FCIS, Barbara Hodges, have presented FCIS workshops/ institutes for New Heads, Prospective Heads and Board Chair/Heads discussing leadership, governance, finance, strategic planning and accreditation standards.  Dr. Pullen has also led FCIS Accreditation teams each year and has done Change-of-Head visits. She is currently in her 3rd year as an FCIS Advisor. 

Dr. Pullen is in her 7th year as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania in the Graduate School of Education’s Mid-Career program where she teaches school finance to third year doctoral students.