Ari Leubitz

• Direct the strategic and operational leadership of an independent school serving 1,350 students and employing 300 faculty and staff from diverse national, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Oversee academics, operations, a $42M annual budget, $1.5M in annual fundraising efforts, and a $60M campus expansion project while upholding a values-driven culture focused on academic excellence and community engagement.
• Promote high standards through cross-divisional collaboration, achieving record outcomes such as 66 AP Scholars in 2024 and multiple National Merit/National Scholars.
• Lead a $60M campus expansion initiative by coordinating land acquisition, zoning approvals, infrastructure development, and stakeholder partnerships to support future growth.
• Strengthen financial management by working closely with the CFO to implement sustainable budgeting practices for faculty compensation, infrastructure projects, program development, and strategic priorities.
• Achieved full enrollment using innovative admissions strategies; maintained a 92% accepted-student retention rate through award-winning campaigns recognized with the 2023 CASE Circle of Excellence Award.
• Increased donor engagement by guiding high-performing development teams that consistently exceeded fundraising targets and fostering long-term relationships to enhance major giving programs aligned with institutional goals.
• Recruited senior leaders including CFOs and advancement professionals; introduced leadership coaching initiatives and developed talent pipelines to enhance organizational performance across all divisions.

• Established Leadforwardnow.org to support nonprofit organizations in achieving strategic growth, sustainability, and mission-driven success.
• Collaborated with leadership teams to align organizational vision with actionable strategies that drive long-term impact.
• Designed and implemented tailored consulting solutions utilizing proven tools and methodologies to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Improved team performance by fostering high-functioning collaboration and strengthening communication processes.
• Guided leadership through transformative initiatives aimed at increasing operational efficiency and achieving sustainable outcomes.
• Developed customized roadmaps to support nonprofits in navigating organizational change and aligning strategic goals with community needs.
• Enabled the creation of lasting positive impact within communities by empowering institutions through effective planning and execution.
• Focused on long-term sustainability for both organizations and their stakeholders by driving breakthrough results through actionable, mission-focused solutions.

• Directed the successful merger of two legacy institutions into a unified, mission-driven educational organization serving infants through 12th grade.
• Oversaw daily operations for more than 500 students and 150 staff members while managing an $11M annual budget.
• Developed and executed a progressive educational vision alongside a strategic three-year plan to achieve institutional goals.
• Led a two-phase capital campaign resulting in the construction of a new high school building (Phase 1) and an athletic center (Phase 2).
• Secured over $18M in funding for capital and sustainability projects while achieving record levels for the annual fund and scholarship funds.
• Achieved financial turnaround by eliminating seven-figure deficits, reducing high debt levels, establishing operating reserves, and cutting operating costs by 12% within three years.
• Implemented cost-saving measures that improved student test scores, increased parent satisfaction, and led to waitlisted enrollment levels.
• Designed a COVID management playbook recognized as a regional model during the pandemic response.
• Restructured the business and finance department to garner "commendation" status from independent auditors through targeted recruitment initiatives and process improvements.

• Served as a coach and trainer for the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI), focusing on preparing new and aspiring leaders for roles in independent schools across North America.
• Provided individualized coaching, conducted retreats, and facilitated site visits to support leadership development.
• Collaboratively designed and delivered a three-week summer intensive program featuring experiential learning opportunities, advanced leadership development strategies, and peer-to-peer problem-solving activities among participants from North America.
• Partnered with nationally recognized Heads of School to plan and conduct 2-3 day seminars on leadership-related topics.
• Delivered impactful training sessions emphasizing best practices in leadership development within independent school settings.
• Facilitated engaging workshops to foster collaboration and shared learning among emerging leaders in education.
• Contributed to the design of innovative learning experiences tailored to meet the developmental needs of future school leaders.
• Supported participants in building strong professional networks through structured interactions with peers and industry experts.

• Conceptualization and implementation of a 21st-century educational philosophy, resulting in an award-winning Judaic Studies curriculum, a progressive General Studies teaching model, and an upgraded technology infrastructure.
• Management, supervision, and evaluation of senior administrative staff across departments including General Studies, Judaic Studies, Finance, Development, Admissions, and Technology.
• Development of a 7-year Strategic Financial Plan (SFP) to ensure the organization's fiscal health and long-term sustainability.
• Expansion of the donor base and consistent increase in annual campaign donations through targeted fundraising strategies and cultivation of relationships with large donors.
• Direction of organizational restructuring, achieving reductions in administrative redundancies while improving teaching quality and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Oversight of budgeting processes to ensure financial responsibility and alignment with strategic goals.
• Establishment of strong partnerships with local and national Jewish organizations, along with leading community projects, delivering public lectures, and enhancing outreach efforts within the broader community.

• Supervision and evaluation of senior directors, including overseeing roles such as Director of Curriculum, Director of Student Life, Athletics and Sports Director, Hebrew Coordinator, and departmental chairs.
• Regular assessment and improvement of curriculum quality and scope to ensure alignment with educational goals.
• Development and implementation of innovative scheduling formats, integrating new course sequences for General and Judaic Studies.
• Design of a progressive master schedule featuring enhancements like push-in/pull-out programs and small group instruction to cater to diverse student needs.
• Coordination of faculty support initiatives, with implementation of teacher supervision documentation and assessment frameworks for consistent performance evaluation.
• Mentoring programs for new teachers focusing on enhancing skills in professionalism, co-teaching methods, organizational practices, and effective parent communication.
• Oversight of academic program delivery through collaboration with administrative staff to maintain high standards in instructional practice.
• Strategic leadership within the institution's academic governance to foster an environment focused on learning innovation and excellence.

Marketing and Management