The NBOA Professional Achievement Award recognizes the invaluable contributions made by independent school business, finance and operations staff who are not business officers. These staff members distinguish themselves every day and make exceptional contributions to their schools and the independent school community. The highlights below come straight from their colleagues' nominations.
See a full list of the inaugural recipients. Stay tuned to NetAssets.org for additional profiles.
Title: Business Manager
School: Hilton Head Preparatory School, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Years in position: 34
Years in an independent school business office: 34
Developing the business office: “Jennifer Cody Murphy is the institutional memory of the school,” said Margot Brown, director of development and finance. Murphy began as a one-woman business office in 1987, and as the school changed and grew, she now reports to the director of finance. She has seen the school through several financial downturns and helped keep the school afloat during those difficult times. “She juggles insurance renewals, payroll processing, accounts payable systems, student billing, among other responsibilities, and does everything with a smile,” added Brown.
Going the extra mile: Murphy has never wavered from her responsibilities and is usually the last to leave the office after working very long days and weekends. She has advised many clubs over the years, helps at school fundraisers and has supported the school’s athletic teams, even after her three children were long graduated from the school.
Best-in-class skills: “As her supervisor, I have never seen her make a mistake, I have 100% confidence in everything she does and her knowledge and management skills are of the highest quality," notes Brown. Whether she is working with Blackbaud, Smart Tuition, BCBS, a vendor or a parent, she does it with the utmost of professionalism, knowledge and care. Murphy is also a beautiful writer, according to Brown, and communicates with care, even when she is insisting a delinquent parent pay their bill.
See a full list of the 2020 recipients and read more about the NBOA Professional Achievement Award. Net Assets will post additional profiles of award winners throughout the spring — check in to learn more about other recipients.
