About me
Hi! I'm Peter Baron!
I've spent the past 20+ years as an association leader, board member, and passionate champion for independent schools with one goal: to help you and your school succeed.
I've helped thousands of independent school leaders just like you with enrollment, marketing, hands-on social media training, information management, and so much more.
Summed up quickly— I'm a tireless advocate for independent schools.
Why?
Because independent schools reshape futures and trust me, I can vouch for this firsthand.
My experience at an independent school transformed a shy, disorganized student lacking confidence into a version of myself that looked 180 degrees different at graduation.
My gratitude for this was so overwhelming (and is to this day!) that I knew by my senior year in high school that my future was in independent schools.
But here’s the thing: Every year, independent schools' financial challenges grow tougher. I've spoken with many heads, and they all agree that the business model is under duress.
In fact, in August 2023, NAIS reported that 91% of heads ranked ensuring school sustainability as a top challenge. This has to change.
The threats are real (mounting expenses, increasing tuition discounts, a sharp drop in birthrates since 2008 resulting in fewer students, banks tightening access to credit, and staff hiring and retention challenges, to name a few).
Still, despite this, I'm full of hope and optimism.
Schools are reimagining the model with fresh ideas, and we can look to organizations outside of K12 solving complex business challenges for inspiration.
All of this fuels my purpose to help you iterate the school business model.
Want to get to know me? Send me a message or book a free 30-minute strategy call. I'm happy to connect and help!
After giving you a peek into what drives me, check out the key moments in my career to understand my commitment to independent schools.
Career highlights:
- Educational Program Development | Program Management: I have more than 20 years of experience developing curricula, online courses, educational symposia, national conferences, planning events, and building skills. Among my proudest accomplishments is knowing that tens of thousands of school leaders have benefited from the events. (It's a true career highlight!)
- Thought Leadership: I've presented to thousands of school leaders on a broad range of topics, from enrollment strategies to marketing to business strategy and operations (among others), all in an effort to further their careers and help their schools thrive.
- Board & Committee Leadership: I bring more than nine years of board-level leadership experience. Trustee for Emerald City Football Club. Former Trustee, Wolfeboro Camp School. Former Executive Committee member of TABS' North American Boarding School Initiative. Former Trustee, Historic Neighborhoods in Boston.
- Small Business/Startup Leadership: With over 15 years of handling everything from budgeting and strategy to marketing in small businesses, I've seen it all and love sharing that expertise to help you and your school.
- Business Development | Marketing Strategy: Over 20 years in business development and marketing, I've led and co-developed campaigns that boosted revenues and brought in new customers for multiple companies and non-profits.
- Personnel Management | Leadership | Coaching: More than 20 years of experience managing customer success, business development, editorial, marketing, and professional development teams. I take great pride in coaching directors, senior directors, thought leaders, and volunteers in various environments.
- Inbound Marketing Strategy: 15+ years of experience developing and executing effective corporate inbound marketing strategies for multiple software/SaaS and organizations of varying sizes. Developed and led four distinct podcast series throughout my career, including my current project, The Leadership Backstory.
- Product Development for Schools: 15+ years of proven SaaS experience. Created and managed the first online admission application platform developed specifically for K-12 independent schools (2001).
- Interpersonal Traits: Recognized by colleagues and customers for being strategic, compassionate, proactive, analytical, and highly collaborative.
Here are some of the organizations where I worked to help North American independent schools like yours:
The Enrollment Management Association Chief Member Relations Officer 2017 - 2022
Blackbaud Senior Product Marketing Manager & Partner Manager 2014-2017
WhippleHill Chief Evangelist 2012 - 2014
edSocialMedia Co-Founder 2009 - 2012
AmissionsQuest Founder 1999 - 2012
inRESONANCE Vice President of Sales 2003 - 2007
Board Service:
- Wolfeboro Camp School (past)
- Emerald City Football Club (past)
- Historic Neighborhoods (past)
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