Bringing Strategic Clarity to School Leadership
Michael Christopher helps schools turn complex challenges into focused, strategic solutions. With deep experience in advancement, enrollment, and governance, he partners with school leaders to strengthen long-term sustainability, refine institutional identity, and build high-performing teams across departments.
Areas of Focus
- Strategic planning and strategic financial planning
- Board governance and operations
- Development and fundraising strategy
- Enrollment management
- Marketing Communications
- Leadership and organizational alignment
Deep Knowledge, Vast Experience, Personalized Partnership
Michael joined ISM in 2002 as an adjunct consultant and full-time in 2020. He co-founded ISM’s Advancement Academy and continues to lead workshops, webinars, and consultations. He is also a regular contributor to Ideas & Perspectives, ISM’s flagship advisory publication.
Michael began his career in higher education, serving as Associate Dean and Director of Admissions at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music, where he built marketing and enrollment systems from the ground up. He transitioned into independent schools as Director of Development at Holland Hall (OK), Greensboro Day School (NC), and later as Assistant Headmaster for Development at Lausanne Collegiate School (TN). In each role, he rebuilt development programs, launched alumni and planned giving efforts, led capital campaigns, and shaped school identity initiatives.
Michael earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Cornell College and the University of Iowa, respectively, and holds Leader Certification through ISM’s International Advancement Program (IAP–L). He has presented at CASE-NAIS, APC, ISAS, NAIS, TAIS, NCAIS, and NAES.
Recent Presentations
- Fraught or Fruitful: The Complex Relationship Between Business and Development
- The Major Gift Toolbox for Small Development Offices
- Implementing Your Strategic Plan— Tactics and Metrics
- Capitalize on the 80-20 Rule: Your Annual Fund Leadership Division
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Michael’s expertise and prior research about our school made the difference and was helpful to focus the conversations. The clarity of the written proposal and our communication with ISM staff and Michael before the consultation was excellent." Julie McLeod, Head of School |
See Them Live
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Five Things Heads Need to Know about Leading Advancement Efforts
Date(s): 3/4/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Discover the high-leverage ways heads of school can lead advancement to advance mission and ensure long-term sustainability.
$0.00
For all members & General
Building a Leadership Giving Program Through the Annual Fund
Date(s): 3/11/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Discover a practical framework for strengthening leadership participation, increasing top-tier annual gifts, and building momentum over three years.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
How School Structure and Culture Shape Student Flourishing
Date(s): 3/18/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Examine how schedules, policies, and traditions shape student well-being, and identify practical ways to create a more student-centered experience.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 3&4: Communication/Operations (for Levels 1-2)
Date(s): 3/24/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Establish clear communication and operational foundations to ensure AI experimentation stays coordinated, clear, and manageable.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 3&4: Communication/Operations (for Levels 3-4)
Date(s): 3/27/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Align your communication and operational systems to move AI from experimental pilots to sustainable, school-wide integration.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Establishing a Donor Portfolio System for Major Donor Management
Date(s): 4/15/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Explore a disciplined, relationship-centered approach to managing major donors through clear portfolios, moves management, and shared leadership responsibility.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 5 & 6: Literacy & Inclusion (for Levels 1-2)
Date(s): 4/22/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Establish baseline expectations for AI literacy, responsible use, and equitable access before practices become inconsistent or inequitable across classrooms.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 5 & 6: Literacy & Inclusion (for Levels 3-4)
Date(s): 4/23/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Integrate AI literacy, ethics, and equitable practice into coherent, mission-aligned systems, with measurable outcomes and a pathway for sharing learnings beyond your school.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Community Time and Advisory Success: Creating Programs with Purpose
Date(s): 4/29/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Design purposeful community-time and advisory structures that strengthen belonging, enhance school climate, and boost student well-being.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Building a Multi-Year Planned Giving Program
Date(s): 5/13/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Build a sustainable, donor-centered program that integrates into everyday development work and delivers lasting results.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Using Fundraising and Development Reports to Drive Strategy and Accountability
Date(s): 6/10/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Design and use the right development reports to inform leadership decisions, measure progress, and sustain multi-year fundraising success.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Early Bird
Balance Your Roles as Upper School Dean of Students
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Gain the clarity, skills, and confidence to lead a mission-driven, student-centered upper school culture that supports adolescent growth and well-being.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,795.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Teaching and Learning for Flourishing
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/15/2026 ● Status: Open
Gain the tool necessary to engage faculty and administrators in redesigning teaching, learning, and assessment for human flourishing to respond to the pressures of emerging technologies, faculty and student wellbeing, and increasing academic complexity.
$3,000.00
General & Silver
$2,700.00 Gold
$2,500.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Evolve Your Support Program for Students With Learning Differences
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/15/2026 ● Status: Open
Discover how to strengthen your school’s learning support program so it truly serves every learner.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,020.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Middle School
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Learn how to uphold your school’s mission and culture, engage faculty and staff, and enhance the student experience.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,795.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Admission Director
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/16/2026 ● Status: Open
Gain the skills, strategies, and best practices you need to thrive as a new or aspiring Admission and Enrollment Management Director.
$3,995.00
General & Silver
$3,550.00 Gold
$3,350.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Independent School Development Officer
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/16/2026 ● Status: Open
Learn practical strategies and proven tactics to thrive as a new or aspiring Development Director.
$3,995.00
General & Silver
$3,550.00 Gold
$3,350.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Chairing Your Department: The First Five Years
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Strengthen your leadership presence, communicate with greater clarity, manage your team with confidence, and align your department’s work with your school’s mission and long-term goals.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,795.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Creating a Roadmap for Auxiliary Program Success
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/15/2026 ● Status: Open
Build an auxiliary program operation that is strategically designed, financially disciplined, mission-aligned, and scalable and sustainable.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,020.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Upper School
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Discover and refine your leadership style as you deepen your approach to faculty evaluation, change management, culture-building, and schedule design.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,795.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Mastering Your Role as Middle School Dean of Students
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/16/2026 ● Status: Open
Explore practical ways to support your school’s mission and culture, engage faculty and staff, and enrich the student experience.
$3,495.00
General & Silver
$3,110.00 Gold
$2,910.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Lower School
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Gain the skills and strategies to build a cohesive team, strengthen faculty culture, and lead a student-centered lower school with clarity and confidence.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,795.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The Independent School Business Officer
Date(s): 7/13/2026 — 7/15/2026 ● Status: Open
Excel as a systems-minded business thinker, whether you’re new to the role, transitioning into independent schools, or looking to elevate your impact as an experienced professional.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,020.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Rebuild, Refine, Reinvent: Creating a Modern Advisory Program
Date(s): 7/15/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Create and implement a thriving advisory program that truly supports your middle and upper school students.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,020.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The Athletic Director’s Playbook for Stronger Teams & Stronger Schools
Date(s): 7/15/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Acquire the tools to strengthen, manage, and elevate a mission-aligned athletic program that supports student well-being, ensures safety and inclusion, and strengthens the overall school community.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,020.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Finance Without Fear: A Head’s Guide to Mission-Driven Financial Leadership
Date(s): 7/15/2026 — 7/17/2026 ● Status: Open
Build a fiscal success framework that sets your school on a strong path and enables you to speak confidently about core principles of financial responsibility and accountability.
$1,998.00
General & Silver
$1,798.00 Gold
$1,598.00 3+ Person