Reflecting Culture in a Mission-Anchored Compensation Strategy

As NBOA’s director, research and data analysis, Elizabeth Dabney leads the development, planning and management of industry research using data from the association’s Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS, pronounced “biz”) platform, in addition to other research activities as identified by the association’s strategic plan. Dabney’s research and analysis supports NBOA’s mission to inform NBOA members and other external stakeholders and encourage data-driven decision making throughout the independent school community. Dabney brings to NBOA more than 20 years of research experience. Previously, she was the director, research and policy analysis at the Data Quality Campaign, a nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization, and the nation’s leading voice on education data policy and use.

Patrick Schuermann is one of the nation’s leading experts in educator compensation. He currently serves as chief strategy and impact officer for Optima Independent, which develops immersive teaching and learning experiences for educators and students leveraging VR & spatial computing platforms. In previous roles at Vanderbilt University, Schuermann founded the Professional Leadership Institutes at the Peabody College for Education and Human Development, and he developed, and for 8 years directed, the Independent School Leadership Master’s Program there. In 2022, Schuermann served as the lead researcher for NBOA’s Mission-Anchored Compensation Strategies initiative, the most comprehensive assessment of compensation and benefits practices used in our independent school community to date.

With 20 years of human resources-related experience, Amber Stockham, SPHR, brings expertise in regulatory compliance, talent acquisition and management, organizational planning, and compensation and benefits design to her role as director, human resources programs at NBOA. Prior to joining NBOA in 2020, her career spanned a variety of industries, including social services, manufacturing and construction. She found a passion for education when she served as the director of human resources at Miss Hall’s School, an independent day/boarding school for girls in grades 9-12 in Massachusetts. In her current role, Stockham develops and delivers highly practical and engaging programs, products and services on topics ranging from difficult conversations and employee supervision to benefits administration. Stockham holds a master of business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.