CHRIS PRYOR

President & Founder

As a life-long educator, strategist and thought leader, Chris Pryor is in his third decade of independent school leadership. A graduate of Kent School in Kent, CT and Roanoke College, Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Roanoke College and a dual master’s degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. He has held leadership positions at independent schools such as Harbor Country Day, The Independence School, Hackley, Rye Country Day and Tuxedo Park School and was actively involved with NYSAIS. A skilled communicator and visionary practitioner, Chris has led his schools through strategic and long-range plans, marketing and image projects, programmatic paradigm shifts, enrollment challenges and community divides. He brings a wealth of practical, theoretical and consultant experience to the table; is a stickler for data and detail and will make an otherwise arduous task seem like a ton of fun.

Over the years Chris has consulted with trustees, faculty, parents, students, alumni, admissions and development offices. He is a well-known speaker on topics such as social media, marketing, admissions training, crisis management, professional development and board training. He is a talented storyteller, as he learned early on that sharing the school’s story with all its constituents is one way to be as inclusive as possible. The same is true in marketing but specifics are critical.

With Gowan Group, Chris realizes his vision for an educational consulting organization that serves the needs of independent schools on every front–from Admission and Enrollment Management to Advancement and Fundraising, and from Strategic Planning to Leadership Development. To accomplish this, Chris has assembled a stellar group of nationally renowned consultants that have the passion, experience, expertise, and resources to help independent schools turn every challenge into a growth opportunity.