Mary F. Seppala, Ed.D. is a Partner at Educators Collaborative and brings extensive experience as a teacher, counselor, administrator, and school leader in public, international, and independent schools.

Education:
University of Massachusetts, Ed.D., Student Development
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, M.A., Counseling
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, B.S., Education

Professional Experience:
Educators Collaborative, Partner (2014–present); NEASC/CIE Commissioner (2014–2019); Head of School at The Agnes Irwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA (2009–2014); Head of School at Munich International School in Munich, Germany (2005–2009); Superintendent of Schools, Lee-Tyringham School District, Lee, MA (2002–2005); District Special Education Administrator and High School Counselor, Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, Amherst, MA (1980–2002); Instructor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1996–2000); Administrator, Department of Defense Overseas Schools in Germany, Turkey, and Greece (1974–1978).

Professional Affiliations:
The Heads Network; International Coalition of Girls’ Schools; National Association of Independent Schools; Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools; IBO Regional Advisory Board (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East); Association for the Advancement of International Schools; Association of German International Schools (Board Member); The Education Alliance, Brown University; and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

Selected Clients Served:
Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy (PA); Hutchison School (TN); Haverford School (PA); The American Embassy School, Delhi; The Galloway School (GA); SSM Lou Fu Mountain (China); Hanahau‘oli School (HI); Miami Country Day School (FL); Wardlaw+Hartridge School (NJ); The Co-Op School (NY); International School of San Francisco; Cheshire Academy (CT); Shanghai American School; Drew School (CA); Falmouth Academy (MA); Zhenzhou World Academy (China); American School of London; TASIS American School, London; Berkshire Country Day School (MA); The Kiski School (PA); Vail Mountain School (CO); Stoneleigh-Burnham School (MA); School of Leadership Afghanistan; Vermont Academy (VT); RD American School (Singapore); and Newark Academy (NJ).

Nat Conard grew up in Vermont on the campus of The Mountain School, a small boarding school which his parents founded in the early sixties. As long as he can remember, he worked the school farm surrounded by conversations about leadership and organizational change. He became fascinated with effectiveness: What makes some people really strong leaders while others, whose ideas might be just as good, struggle to get anything accomplished?

Nat found his first post-college job in a classified ad and began teaching in the New Hampshire public schools. Making barely enough to live on, he eventually decided to go to business school. Though he was not naive to what an MBA entailed, his first course in organizational behavior left him mind blown—not only could leadership be studied and developed, but the research confirmed what he had already observed: effective leadership begins by understanding what is important to the people within your organization.

After spending two-and-a-half years at Bain, one of the top strategic management consulting firms in the world, Nat began his independent school career as an administrator. Over the years, he has worn many hats: director of development, director of external affairs, department chair, academic dean, director of technology, unofficial CFO, assistant head of school, and head of school.

Analytical, discerning, and full of humor, Nat's Vermont roots and unusual career path have made him an expert at growing things. From plants to people, teams, and organizations: Nat can plant a seed and do everything it takes to help it thrive.