Our team brings extensive experience and wide networks across all areas of school and non-profit management. We also maintain strategic partnerships with diversity recruiting specialists and other experts-in-their-fields. We take pride in connecting our clients with the leaders they need in all Searches and Trusted Advisor assignments.
Dr. George Conway
President, IES Consulting
George Conway is a former Principal at Heidrick and Struggles where he headed the Schools Practice. He is now the President of IES, where he leads all executive search and leadership advisory services for independent schools, colleges and non-profits.
George's consulting experience includes searches, leadership assessments, contract review, executive coaching, and institutional planning. As a Trusted Advisor, he frequently consults with mission-driven organizations on executive effectiveness and good governance.
For 24 years prior to entering search and consulting, George was Headmaster of St. Anne's-Belfield School, a large independent day and boarding school in Charlottesville, Virginia. Under his leadership enrollment grew from 319 students to 865, the learning and athletic space was doubled and over $30 million was raised. Prior to becoming Headmaster, he was Chaplain and Director of Admission at Woodberry Forest School, and Chaplain at The Hotchkiss School. He began his independent school career as a teacher and coach at Princeton Day School.
While at St. Anne's-Belfield, George served on the Potomac School Board of Trustees, he worked with public schools on teacher licensure and education school accreditation as Chair of the ABTEL board and was elected President of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. He has advised two Governors of Virginia, one Republican and one Democrat, on educational issues. He serves on the Virginia Bar Association Committee on Special Issues of State and National Importance. In 1989, he was chosen as the only independent school educator to brief President George H. W. Bush prior to the first Education Summit. George has published articles in professional journals on school size and succession planning. He is a Presbyterian minister and is the author of Giving Good Gifts: The Spiritual Journey of Parenthood.
George holds a BA degree from Wilkes University, a M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a D. Min. degree from Boston University.
Alicia Anderson
Engagement Manager
Alicia Anderson manages our work with organizations through research and communication and facilitates the flow of information between clients, search committees, and candidates.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Alicia has worked in college counseling, financial aid, admissions, and external affairs at schools of all sizes, serving age 2 through university-level. Alicia previously served on the Board of Education for Anne Arundel County Public Schools (MD), one of the largest school districts in the country, and she continues to volunteer in public schools and with child-centered non-profit organizations.
In addition to her extensive work on senior leadership searches, she has advised schools on administrative structuring, community partnerships, development, and external affairs.
Emily Garrahan
Research Associate
A public sector consultant with expertise in research and benchmarking, Emily specializes in helping clients improve operations and implement new systems and methodology. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration from UVA’s Darden School of Business.
Emily joined the IES team after several years of public sector work with IBM and Accenture. She capitalizes on sound research methodologies and in-depth analysis of professional networks to identify candidates best suited for our clients. Emily also leads prospect research and provides guidance to organizations looking to amplify their advancement efforts.
Deborah Rexrode
Survey and Data Analysis
An expert in survey research including study and field design, mail surveys, telephone surveys, web survey development, focus groups, and questionnaire construction, Deborah has worked with clients from several areas of industry including local, state, and federal government agencies, educational foundations, academic researchers, and medical researchers. She has co-authored publications in professional journals on survey messaging and the use of social networks for health concerns.
Deborah has a B.A. in Sociology from West Virginia State University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Virginia. At IES, Deborah specializes in survey development, data analysis, and presentation of results.
Connecting Leaders
A shared commitment to mission-driven organizations
IES maintains a wide network of experts-in-their fields across all areas that impact the life of a mission-driven organization. Schools, universities, non-profits, and faith-based institutions face complex challenges that require experience and expertise. We take pride in connecting our clients with the leaders they need.
Let us help you make the right moves.
Washington, DC | Charlottesville, Virginia