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: Director of Facilities
School: Pomfret School, Pomfret, Connecticut
Years in Position: 5
Years in an independent school business office: 5
Community connector: “Brenda is our director of facilities in title, but in practice, she is much more,” explained Chief Financial Officer Ed Griffin. “While this is her first job in an independent boarding school, her vast experience and — more importantly — common sense have contributed to the school in many ways beyond the hat she wears in the facilities department. She is a ‘can do’ person who shines daily on our campus.”
Cool under pressure: Bullied serves as the co-chair of Pomfret’s health and wellness sub-committee and an integral member of the COVID 19 task force. “During the tumultuous COVID 19 time period, Brenda has been a "go-to” person in terms of getting the latest guidance from a variety of governing bodies,” said Griffin. “Our school would not have achieved the success we've had in navigating the COVID-19 waters without Brenda's commitment and dedication. For a school that is dependent on net tuition for its operations, she is a hero.”
Above and beyond: Over the past five years, Bullied has helped expand and improve upon Pomfret’s campus, from managing the construction of a state-of-the-art Health Center to transforming a house into a dorm. Outside her direct duties, Bullied is also a student advisor, teacher, volleyball coach and campus resident. To Griffin and many others on campus, “Brenda is a rock star. While she could ‘stay in her facilities lane,’ she is willing to own other responsibilities at our school, which is mutually beneficial for a school that needs to maximize efficiencies to balance budgets.”
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.
