ANNE-MARIE BALZANO,  EdD

Governance & Strategic Planning Practice Lead (M&D)

Senior Strategist for Leadership Alignment and Governance (NAIS)

Dr. Anne-Marie Balzano is Mission & Data’s Governance and Strategic Planning Practice Lead and NAIS’ Senior Strategist for Leadership Alignment and Governance, bringing more than thirty years of experience in education and leadership to her work with independent schools across the country. In her work with both organizations, Anne-Marie partners with school leaders to strengthen governance practice, leadership alignment, and long-term institutional sustainability through strategic planning, board development, research, and thought leadership.

A former head of school, associate professor, teacher, and Director of Leadership and Governance at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Anne-Marie understands the opportunities and pressures facing school leaders from multiple vantage points. She works closely with boards and heads of school to strengthen governance practice, design and facilitate strategic planning processes, conduct governance audits and board self-assessments, and guide mission revision and long-term sustainability efforts. Her work is grounded in both research and real-world experience — including her current service as a trustee at The Buckley School (CA).

During her earlier tenure at NAIS, Anne-Marie worked closely with schools nationwide to facilitate board retreats, design governance learning experiences, and develop practical tools that help trustees lead with clarity and confidence. She served as chief editor of The Board Chair Handbook, hosted the governance podcast The Trustee Table, and led the development of board assessment resources used by schools across the country. In her current role as Senior Strategist for Leadership Alignment and Governance, Anne-Marie is helping lead the development of governance and leadership frameworks, research initiatives, and resources designed to support independent school leaders and boards of trustees in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Anne-Marie is also a regular faculty presenter for NAIS at the Institute for New Heads (INH), the Aspiring Heads Institute (AHI), and Leadership Through Partnership, where she works with new and aspiring heads to strengthen the governance insight and board-partnership strategies essential for long-term leadership success.

Earlier in her career, Anne-Marie was an associate professor in the Education Leadership program at George Mason University, where she taught courses on research-informed school improvement and leadership. She led the design of a fully online master’s degree program and a concentration in Independent School Leadership, earning an OLC Effective Practice Award and two nominations for Teaching Excellence.

Anne-Marie began her career as a middle school English and reading teacher before serving in secondary administration and later as head of the Campus School at Carlow University. She continues to teach in the Klingenstein Center’s Independent School Leadership and Ed.D. programs.