Advisor Program

Kim Bednarek is an entrepreneurial and resourceful leader with the business acumen required to consult in complex, relationship driven environments. Kim is highly regarded for her capacity to collaborate successfully across diverse constituent groups to sustain programs and processes that guide the vision, core values, and progressive development of any organization.

Kim served as the Head of School for The Discovery School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, a nationally recognized Montessori – International Baccalaureate academic program from 2007-2020. During Kim’s 13-year tenure, The Discovery School experienced phenomenal growth including doubling the campus size and enrollment through land acquisitions and multiple building projects, while initiating key community partnerships with the Rainforest Alliance and White Oak Conservation Center.

Kim currently serves in the role of Executive Director with OSP Inc., a 75-year-old non-profit dedicated to showcasing and conserving the wildlife and vast wilderness, past Native American civilizations, pioneers and settlers, waterways, and habitats of North America’s largest “blackwater” swamp, the Okefenokee. Kim’s competencies with transformational management are supporting this organization to envision a catalytic role in the region as a resource of inspiration, education and stewardship, and positive economic development.

Kim earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, with a Minor in Marine Biology, from the University of New Hampshire and her Master of Business Administration with Honors, Leadership Development from Jacksonville University. She also holds a Montessori Administrator’s credential, is a graduate of Leadership Florida Education, served 2-terms on the Florida Council of Independent Schools board and was a member of the Leadership Development Committee of the American Montessori Society. Kim currently serves on the Board of the St. Marys Riverkeeper and on the steering committee for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s UNESCO inscription process.

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.

Catherine Allen Ford is a native Floridian.  She was born in Jacksonville and received her B.S. and M.S. at Auburn University.  She and her husband Alan have lived in Melbourne for their adult lives.  Cathy was Head of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy for 25 years.  During her tenure, she oversaw the growth of the school from 80 to 935 students.  She also oversaw the expansion of the school through 12th grade by identifying and purchasing a 40-acre site for a secondary school campus.  This campus was developed to house a comprehensive junior and senior high school, complete with athletic fields, and was opened in 2000.  In addition to her work at Holy Trinity, Cathy has been involved in her community.  She served as a trustee for Health First, Brevard’s integrated healthcare delivery network, for 24 years.  She has also led the Junior League of South Brevard and was instrumental in founding The Haven for Children.  Although largely retired from community service, she remains active with The Astronaut Memorial Foundation Board, where she is chair of the Education Committee.  Cathy spends as much of her time as possible enjoying her four grandchildren who live in Dallas and Nashville.

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 has been intimately engaged in independent school education and leadership for over 30 years  as a teacher, principal, and Head of School.  For the past 14 years, she served as Head of School at Park Maitland School in Central Florida. She brings a broad view to the challenges and opportunities of managing and leading independent schools. Cindy has led efforts to advance and transform the schools she has served through strategic planning and mission clarity, enrollment and fiduciary sustainability, increased data driven instruction and innovative practices, enhanced health and safety protocols, implementation of nationally recognized diversity, equity and inclusionary practices and character education programs. She has overseen construction of new campuses as well as innovation and community spaces.  During these unprecedented times, she helped her school successfully pivot to virtual learning platforms while maintaining positive momentum and a school culture that promotes collaborative and participatory practices. 

She currently serves on the advisory board for the Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute and is a board member of Destination Imagination. She is a member of the CRC Network and K-Ready Community Project.  She has served two terms on the Board of Directors for FCIS, Co-Chaired and led planning committees for FCIS Annual Conventions and has served on many FCIS evaluation teams across Florida. She has served as a mentor for new heads and led workshops and keynotes on topics such as climate culture, school change, sustainability, independent school identity, and more. 

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

Cindy is honored to serve in an advising role and hopes to inspire and bring a new sense of possibility to the goal of advancing educational leadership while helping to lay out an actionable strategy.

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. 

• 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
• Advisor to Global Alliance for Leading Edge Sustainable Schools (GALESS)
• Advisor to the international organization Water Is Life.

As a leader for Tampa Preparatory School, Carrie has invested nine years in evolving, developing, and improving the Board of Trustees. Carrie focuses on the opportunities that arise from building relationships and connecting stakeholders to ensure the mission and vision of her non-profit are sustainable and strong. She has spent the past several years working as a progressive non-profit leader in governance, development, strategic growth, and sustainability. Carrie also brings her expertise in practical methods for leading effective group processes, organizational diagnosis, and change. 

Her expertise in Governance helped lead Tampa Prep through an 18-month Strategic plan initiative, a rebranding effort, and the most successful Capital Campaign in the 48-year history of the school. In addition to Board Governance, Carrie works as a Principle Consultant at Seapine, an HR strategy consulting company, helping organizations embrace and implement the future of work with a focus on exceptional employee experience. Carrie brings us her passion and expertise in many diverse aspects of leadership. 

In 2017 Carrie was selected as one of 60 Trustees Worldwide to participate in Governing for Non-Profit Excellence at Harvard Business School Executive Education. She also recently graduated with her M.A. Ed & HD in the field of Organizational Leadership & Learning from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. 

Carrie serves the Tampa Bay Community as Past Chair for the Board of Trustees at Tampa Preparatory School. In addition, she joined the Trustee Leadership Network as part of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay in 2018. Prior to joining Seapine, Carrie spent her early career in the field of banking and finance but soon followed her passion for education and taught for Hillsborough County Public Schools.