The Puzzle: Blog

Carney, Sandoe & Associates is pleased to announce Dr. Deborah Welch as the new Practice Leader of the Search and Consulting Group’s International Schools Practice. Deb succeeded former Practice Leader Art Charles, who will continue to serve as a Senior Consultant, on January 1, 2022.

Deb joined the International Schools Practice as a Senior Consultant in June 2020. Since joining, she has helped run successful retained searches for heads of school, interim heads, founding heads, key administrators, and executive directors at a number of esteemed international schools across the globe. 

“Deb is one of the most widely recognized and admired figures in the international school world and has influenced the careers and lives of literally hundreds of school leaders,” says fellow International Schools Practice senior consultant John Chandler. “She is perfectly positioned to serve as an outstanding leader of our International Schools Practice.” 

As Practice Leader, Deb will be both the day-to-day manager and the long-term strategic thinker for the International Schools Practice. She will focus on building out the team, overseeing communication and marketing efforts, ensuring the quality of service offerings, and enabling the continued growth of the practice. Launched in 2008, the practice has successfully completed more than 200 leadership searches for 74 schools in 37 countries. 

“I am delighted to be able to pass the baton to Deb as the new Practice Leader,” says Art. “It has been a pleasure to work with her on searches for the past two years. She hit the ground running and she has displayed a wealth of enthusiasm, organizational skills, and work ethic that I am confident will take our team to the next level.” 

Deb is excited to begin her new role and has already begun to think strategically about the future of the practice. “In addition to other areas, I’m looking forward to exploring how to strengthen the relationship with international clients by further personalizing the search and consulting process.”   

Her experience working in international schools is deep and varied. Before joining Carney Sandoe, she served for five years as CEO of the Academy for International School Heads (AISH), a leading organization among international schools. She was also the Director of American School of Doha in Qatar, as well as Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Professional Development followed by Deputy Head of School at International School Bangkok. Additionally, she chaired the development and publication of “The Leadership Playbook” that outlines standards and competencies for international school heads, taught AISH’s Institute for New and Aspiring Heads of School, and launched virtual leadership courses that are aligned with the standards. 

Says Bob Vitalo, Vice President, Search and Consulting Group, “All of us at Carney Sandoe are proud of the services we provide to our international clients, and with Deb moving into this leadership role we are confident that schools will continue to be well served and that they will receive first class attention in filling their leadership needs.” 

Carney, Sandoe & Associates is an educational recruitment, executive search, strategic and DEIB consulting, and coaching and mentoring firm that places teachers, senior administrators, and leaders in private, independent schools and educational organizations worldwide. CS&A is the only search firm dedicated to K-12 education with a solid grounding in both independent schools in the U.S. and international schools.

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