Susan Banke, Ph.D., has held various leadership roles in independent education for more than thirty years. Her experiences include teaching, coaching, and administration at secondary and elementary independent schools. She served as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal at Dade Christian School (FL), served as Upper School Principal at Charlotte Christian School (NC) and recently served as Upper School Principal at Whitefield Academy (GA). While working with CoachED clients, Susan is also an associate professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Kennesaw State University (GA). Dr. Banke holds masters and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from Barry University. She is an advisory board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cheer Division, and is a board member of the World Children’s Center Academy. Susan was recently asked to become a member of the founding committee for MentorU (CO). This program will provide mentor training and assistance to emerging school leaders at independent schools. Dr. Banke is the founder of Principals 101, an organization of middle and high school principals who meet monthly to improve the quality of education in metro-Atlanta independent schools.

David Tilley, Ed.D., has worked as an educational administrator for more than forty years. He served for ten years as principal and central office administrator for the Cobb County School District (GA) before becoming head of school at Mount Paran Christian School, where he has served for over thirteen years. He has also held positions of Vice President for Student Life at both Lee University (TN) and Houghton College (NY). Dr. Tilley holds his master’s degree from Georgia State University and his doctoral degree from The University of Tennessee. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Leadership Studies Program at Kennesaw State University (GA) and on the Board of Directors for Feed My Lambs. He is a co-founder of the Atlanta Christian School Association (ACSA).