CEO Notebook |
One of my favorite programs during the NBOA Annual Meeting is the
NBOA Awards Lunch. The only national recognition program of its kind,
this wonderful event doesn't just recognize individual achievement in
independent school leadership, but also celebrates the entire
profession. One time each year, we highlight the collegial and
collaborative spirit of business officers, business partners and
association executives—a spirit that makes our community like no other.
It's a pleasure and an honor to showcase colleagues who demonstrate
great leadership, provide distinguished service to others and represent
the very best of what our community values. In a profession that makes
the lion's share of its contributions behind the scenes, we take pride
in giving these individuals "rock star status."
I'm pleased to announce Palmer Ball, business manager at Spartanburg Day School, as the recipient of the 2015 NBOA Ken White Distinguished Business Officer Award, and John Griswold, executive director at Commonfund Institute, as the recipient of the 2015 NBOA Sarah Daignault Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award.
Palmer Ball has been business manager at South Carolina's Spartanburg
Day School since 1995. Nationally, she served two terms on the NBOA
Board of Directors and was elected to the Association of Business
Officers of Independent Schools in 2008. She taught at the NBOA Business
Officer Institute (BOI) in 2005, 2007 and 2012; attended BOI on a
number of other occasions; and has presented her five-year budget model
at several NBOA Annual Meetings, always to a room packed with business
officers. Regionally, she has been instrumental in the Palmetto
Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) business officer group. She
also played a major role on the leadership team that established a
403(b) consortium of independent schools and colleges in the Carolinas,
and is now president-elect of that group.
In her letter of nomination, the Spartanburg Day head of school described Palmer as follows:
"There are people who simply enjoy the benefits received from an
organization. Palmer makes significant contributions to each
organization to which she belongs. She seeks ways to make the
organization better. She offers mentorship to others in her field. She
sets high standards for herself and with those with whom she works and
volunteers. I believe that she is among the most outstanding business
officers in the country and has a proven track record of leadership and
service."
Palmer earned a BA in biology from Converse College and an MBA in
accounting from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt
University.
John Griswold is a seasoned finance and investment executive with
extensive governance experience in the nonprofit sector. As executive
director of Commonfund Institute in Wilton, Conn., he supervises the
educational, market research and professional development activities for
Commonfund, a private, nonprofit investment management firm with $26
billion of institutional assets. John initiated and supervises the
annual NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments, the largest survey of
investment practices of endowments in higher education. He also founded
the annual Commonfund Benchmark Study of Independent Schools, which is
co-sponsored by NBOA.
In a nomination, John was recognized (among other things) for helping
to "support the inception of NBOA, a faith and support that has not
wavered over the years…. NBOA is here, in large part, because of it."
John is a graduate of Yale University and attended the Graduate
School of Business at Columbia University. He is a member of the Round
Hill Club in Greenwich, Conn., and the Yale Club of New York.
I look forward to recognizing Palmer and John with all of you at the 2015 Annual Meeting in Boston!
From Bottomline, February 3, 2015.