Name: Lisa Carbone Warren
Title: Director of Finance and Operations
School: Moorestown Friends School, Moorestown, New Jersey
Years in current position: 24
Years in an independent school business office: 24
Superpower: Annual budgeting — always generates a six-figure operating surplus; collections — every year has a very small allowance for bad debt; and campus expansion — has overseen significant borrowing for acquisition of adjacent properties, much of which has been paid off ahead of schedule.
Soft touch: Works more than anyone on campus with hourly, non-exempt workers to make them feel like an integral part of staff; also maintains good morale among business office staff members despite cramped office space.
Has survived: “A train wreck” upon arrival at Moorestown 25 years ago due to low enrollment and outdated business operations; has since transformed the school’s business office and financial health.
On the board: Throws herself into programmatic and curricular discussions during Administrative Council retreats; never displays an “I’m-too-busy” attitude.
After school: Serves on the board of the Friends Council on Education, an organization that supports the health of Friends schools across the U.S. — a rare honor for a business officer.
See a full list of the 2017 recipients and read more about the Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award. NetAssets.org will post additional profiles of Unsung Heroes over the summer and into the fall — check in to learn more about other recipients.
