Chris Pryor, Gowan Group
@Kim Byrne Photography

Chris Pryor is president and founder of The Gowan Group.

As a lifelong educator, strategist, and thought leader, Chris is in his third decade of independent school leadership. He has held leadership positions at independent schools such as Harbor Country Day, The Independence School, Hackley, Rye Country Day, and Tuxedo Park School and was actively involved with NYSAIS.

Chris is a well-known speaker on topics such as social media, marketing, admissions training, crisis management, professional development, and board training.

With The Gowan Group, Chris realizes his vision for an educational consulting organization that serves the needs of independent schools on every front–from Admission and Enrollment Management to Advancement and Fundraising, and from Strategic Planning to Leadership Development. Gowan Placement’s exceptional team advises and guides families through a comprehensive and personalized approach to school placement. To accomplish this, Chris assembled a stellar group of nationally renowned consultants who have the passion, experience, expertise, and resources to help independent schools turn every challenge into a growth opportunity.

Chris Pryor is the Founder and Principal of LeadTeam Partners. Following a 20+ year career in independent schools, Chris developed his school partner search practice to support school administrators by finding the right consultant, coach, facilitator, speaker, or vendor for their needs.

Prior to LeadTeam Partners, Chris served as Assistant Head of School for Advancement and External Affairs for Congressional School (VA) and as a Director of Business Development for Independent School Management (ISM).

Informed by how private schools and consulting firms operate, Chris seeks to manage the search process for busy school leaders so that they can focus on the day-to-day operations of their school.

Chris and Chris Quoted

“The tuition payer, the parent, and even the student, are really in charge.”

“Before it was just kind of insert them into a K-12 school, and then they'll graduate from that school. Now I think there's a lot more … looking… at what's … down the street to ensure that their child gets the best experience possible.”

“[Post-COVID there is…] a constant need to converse with, respond, and engage, your constituents, your parents, and I think that's why some school leaders…were just exhausted…And they said, ‘I want to I want to take a break, and try and go out on my own.’ I think that's why you've seen an exodus of school leaders, based on the daily demands of school leadership today.”

“The other thing that is really driving heads out of the office is the current political state of our country. The Head of School is a very heated position, a very political position.”

“A lot of schools would love to engage outside counsel. I mean, one of the best things that we did when I was at one school, was we hired Turnaround Marketing Communications, and you guys came in and helped us figure out what to lean into and the school's enrollment has grown ever since.”

“I think school leaders recognize that outsourcing is a good thing.”

“EMA and AISAP and other organizations have helped elevate marketing professionals to get a seat at the table and reporting directly to the head of school.”

“It's very rare that we see a school now being as siloed as they used to be and that's great. There's tremendous teamwork, synergy, and building teams is a real thing.”

“Schools underestimate the time commitment involved to support a consultant so that they're going to be successful.”

What you’ll learn

How and why heads of school are burnt out.
How silos are becoming a thing of the past.
What heads of schools should not say to a consultant.
How to waste your school’s money in hiring a consultant.
Why arrogance impedes school success.
Why the independent school business model is strange to outsiders, board chairs, and trustees.
How to get the most out of your consultant.

Get more brilliant ideas and brain food by signing up for our newsletter. We make your job easier.

Featured

Rob Norman

Best Boy, InspirED School Marketers

Rob has 25 years of independent school marketing experience as principal of Turnaround Marketing Communications, a branding and marketing firm specializing in independent schools. Rob shares his experience on InspirED School Marketers by blogging, editing the Daily Jolt, and by podcasting with fascinating independent school movers and shakers. As InspirED's Best Boy — a term borrowed from theater, Rob's longtime passion — Rob loves to be out and about, meeting with school marketers, learning their needs, and helping them overcome challenges. Be sure to ask Rob about his golf game.

LinkedIn

More Podcasts To Make Your Job Easier

Podcasts 2

How to Advocate for Yourself as a Director of MarCom at a Private School [Podcast]

with Penny Abrahams, Senior Consultant, Independent School Management

Strengthening MarCom in Small Private Schools [Podcast]

with Aubrey Bursch, founder and CEO of Easy School Marketing.

Students As Communications Apprentices [Podcast]

with Lauren Campbell, Publications Manager at Cretin-Derham Hall, a Catholic high school in St. Paul, Minnesota.

How to Be a Leader in an Independent School [Podcast]

with Dr. Carrie Grimes
Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Director, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College, Independent School Leadership Program (M.Ed.)