From tech giants, such as Apple and Microsoft, to the hospital you were born in, almost all businesses have a board of directors or trustees. For Nobles, this statement remains true. Unlike Apple or Microsoft, though, where the board is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, the Board of Trustees at Nobles oversees the strategic direction of the school. As a result, the board wields significant power within the Nobles community.
The Board of Trustees is comprised of different roles. Head of School Cathy Hall shared that there are 23 trustees. “I am an emeritus trustee; three trustees are graduated trustees, who are elected by the graduates each serve three-year terms; the President of the Graduates Association serves as a trustee for a two-year term; there are 3 officers of the board in the President, Clerk, and Treasurer, and there are 15 term trustees, who serve up to two three-year terms,” Hall said. The trustees and officers are typically found through board members’ existing connections. These members are then run by President of the Board John Montgomery (N ‘83) and the other members before being selected. By bringing in individuals who already occupy professions in fields like law and architecture, the board is able to garner vast experiences and perspectives to aid in every project. The only exception to this method of selection is the graduate trustee role. As explained by Hall, this role differs in that Nobles graduates vote on who they would like to serve in that role. It is also worth noting that beyond Hall, there are members of the Nobles leadership team who often work with the board, such as Chief Financial Operating Officer Steve Ginsberg and Chief Advancement Officer George Maley. In all, the various facets of the board allow each proposal regarding the future of the school to undergo a rigorous process of verification.
As alluded to earlier, the board engages in a “push-pull” relationship with some members of the Nobles leadership team. “As the Head of School at Nobles, I am the only employee of the Board of Trustees. I am enormously proud and grateful for the great trust and support they have in my leadership.” Hall said. Accordingly, the board serves as an important thought partner for Dr. Hall, as they are aligned in their strategic goals. Ginsberg also works closely with the board. “I am responsible for proposing a budget to the board, and ultimately, they have to approve it. That is called the annual budget,” Ginsberg said. Finally, Maley collaborates with the board, focusing on the fundraising, volunteering, and event components. “Working with the advancement team, some board members serve as Annual Fund solicitors, committee members for numerous school committees, or even help us with any one of many events by hosting or attending. We also ask board members to be fiscal managers,” Maley said.
“As the Head of School at Nobles, I am the only employee of the Board of Trustees. I am
enormously proud and grateful for the
great trust and support they have
in my leadership.”
The board’s influence in the community is far and wide. One such example was its response to the recent and drastic rise in inflation. To compensate, Nobles needed to both increase tuition and provide faculty members with a significant raise. However, Nobles’ leadership team, along with the board, recognized that the rise in tuition would disproportionately impact families already struggling with tuition. Thus, the leadership team and the board reached out to the Nobles community to cull the necessary funds. “We went out to the community and said, ‘We really need to give our faculty some more money and cover the rise in tuition at a time when affordability is at a crisis level. Can you help us?’ The board led this conversation,” Hall said. As evidenced by the affordability crisis, the board, in conjunction with Hall and the leadership team, is fundamental in guiding and aiding the community.
As Nobles continues to expand and grow, the board will remain at the heart of the school. Therefore, the board must have a strong vision and plan for the future. Accordingly, the board will release the strategic plan this spring, detailing what Nobles will look like for the next five to seven years; the theme this year is the power of connections. This theme is multifaceted: “[The first part] is the connections through people, which will happen through financial aid, salaries, compensation, and housing for our employees,” Hall said. The second, connections through possibility, involves the opportunities Nobles students have access to, from the classroom to the fields to the stage. The final part of the theme is connection through place. This will manifest itself through updating school facilities, such as the upcoming renovation of Shattuck. Ultimately, “Nobles sees the power of connections– through people, possibility, and place– as core to who we are. We will be investing in substantive ways to ensure we can continue to hire, enroll, and retain the people we know will thrive here, and to ensure the experience at Nobles fulfills the promise of our mission and core values,” Hall said.
“Nobles sees the power of connections–through people, possibility, and place–as core to who we are.”
In all, the Board of Trustees, along with leaders such as Hall, Ginsberg, and Maley, plays a vital role in determining how Nobles functions. From intangible aspects of the school, such as affordability, to the very buildings students and faculty set foot upon every day, the board is fundamental in keeping Nobles afloat and up to the standards the school prides itself on.
