NAIS Thrive Think Tank

The NAIS Thrive Think Tank is an advisory group of independent school leaders from NAIS member schools who help to shape the program and ensure that a diverse range of independent school experiences are represented at the annual conference.

Thank you to our Think Tank for NAIS Thrive 2026 in Seattle!

  • Brenda Leaks, Head of School, Seattle Girls' School (WA)
  • Briel Schmitz, Head of School, Spruce Street School (WA)
  • Catalina Martinez, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Northwest School (WA)
  • Chris Watson, Incoming Executive Director, NWAIS
  • Giselle Furlonge, Co-Head of School, Seattle Academy (WA)
  • Jay Heath, Director of Technology, Institutional Research, and Strategic Plan Management, Overlake School (WA)
  • Julie Kalmus, Head of School, The Little School (WA)
  • Mahtab Mahmoozadeh, Assistant Head of School, Giddens School (WA)
  • Matt Lai, Upper School Director and Interim Middle School Director, The Bush School (WA)
  • Megan McCall, Head of School, Trillium Academy (WA)
  • Reem Abu Rahmeh, Assistant Head of School, Lakeside School (WA)
  • Rob Scotlan, Head of School, Seabury School (WA)
  • Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau, Head of School, University Prep (WA)
  • Sam Uzwack, Head of School, Eastside Preparatory School (WA)
  • Tom Darlow, Lower School Head, Seattle Country Day School (WA) <!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--> <!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->