Our Team
Tim Viands
— President & Founder
tim@indyschoolconsultancy.comTim has over two decades of extensive experience in independent schools as a teacher, administrator and school leader. Tim has led boarding and day schools, and has been successful creating sustainable and vibrant futures for the schools he’s led. He has developed innovative models of learning in the US and has vast experience in international education and partnership development. During that time, Tim has developed transformative leadership search model (Competency Based Hiring) and to strategic planning (The d4 Process). Much of IndySchool Consultancy’s search model is based off of Tim and countless other heads of school’s frustrations when working with search firms.
Chris Brueningsen
— Senior Search Consultant
Chris Brueningsen is a veteran independent school educator with more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, and consultant. From 2002 to 2024, he served as Head of School at The Kiski School, where he oversaw operations, hiring and retention, fundraising, and major campus initiatives. He has advised schools and Boards on governance, strategic planning, and finance, and has provided executive coaching to school leaders. Chris has chaired numerous accreditation teams, served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, and received the TABS Ruzicka Award in 2023. He holds degrees from Muhlenberg College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and lives in Vermont with his wife and two children.
Jane Smith
— Senior Consultant
Kim Cooper has worked in independent schools for twenty years and served in an educational non-profit for five. Most recently Kim was the director of admissions and financial aid at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, CA. Kim was charged with reimagining the admissions office which resulted in strong community relations, growth of outreach programs, marketing and communications as well as the strategic development of internal programs related to recruitment and retention. Prior to Bishop’s Kim spent ten years at Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach, FL. There she held several roles including director of external studies, Lower School and International admissions. She has a passion for engaging constituencies in a relational process that creates connection and belonging. At ISC Kim is focusing on searches for heads of school and senior administrators and as an advisor in admissions/enrollment management. In her spare time Kim enjoys traveling, golf, reading and spending as much time as possible with her family.
Kevin Kunst
— Senior Consultant
Kevin Kunst has an extensive background in school leadership, having most recently held the role of Head of School at Evansville Day School and Harrells Christian Academy. He has also served as Assistant Headmaster at La Lumiere School, Director of Studies at St. Andrew's School in Georgia, and Director of Admissions and Director of Athletics at The Stony Brook School, his alma mater. Over his 30-year career, Kevin has gained extensive experience leading accreditation teams. He served on the Accreditation Review Committee of ISACS and continues to support their work as Director of Special Accreditation Projects. He has also presented at numerous conferences, including the NAIS and SAIS Annual Conferences, where he discussed topics such as marketing to digital natives and hiring/firing costs. He has regularly shared his insights in Independent School Magazine, through various webinars, and on LinkedIn. He is also a Certified Nonprofit Consultant with the National Association of Non-Profit Organizations and Executives (NANOE). Starting as a teacher and a coach and committing himself to each new role along the way, Kevin’s passion for independent school life has led him to work with all kinds of schools, small and large, religious and secular, day and boarding. He loves engaging with new communities and working to fully understand their mission, values, and what makes them unique in the independent school landscape.
Davina Spillmann
— Managing Director-Leadership Search
Davina Spillmann is a passionate leader and expert in education with a strong focus on independent schooling and promoting effective leadership. She has nearly thirty years of experience in education, holding various positions that have provided her with expertise in teaching, admissions, academics, operations, and leadership. Most recently, she worked as an Associate Head of School at an independent school in Florida. In addition, Davina has also served as an Interim Head of School, Director of a learning center, Dean of Students and Faculty, and in various other administrative roles while beginning her career teaching AP US History. Throughout her time in schools, Davina played a key role in creating innovative hiring and onboarding processes, as well as refining administrative coaching and evaluation methods.