Our Team

Tim Viands

— President & Founder

Tim 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.

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.

Boni Rae Garcia

— Search Coordinator

Bryan Tagaan

— Coordinator of Innovation & Technology

Brad Bates

— Senior Search Consultant

Brad Bates is a career educator and the long-serving Head of School at Dublin School, an independent college-preparatory boarding school in New Hampshire, where he has led for over 16 years. Before his tenure at Dublin, he served as Assistant Principal at Aspen High School in Colorado and spent 15 years as a dean, teacher, and coach at St. Andrew's School in Delaware. Under his leadership at Dublin, the school achieved significant milestones, including expanding enrollment, achieving a 91% student retention rate, raising record funds for new buildings, and establishing the Dublin School Nordic Center. Bates, who holds degrees from Dartmouth College, is deeply involved in the community, serving as Vice President of the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) Board and co-founding the DublinXC Ski Club with his wife, Lisa. Known for his hands-on approach, he continues to teach and coach students directly and recently announced that the 2025–2026 academic year will be his final one as Head of School.

Scott Kennedy

— Senior Search Consultant

Scott has over 40 years of independent school experience. He began his career at Culver Academies (IN) before serving on the faculty of St. Christopher’s School (VA) for 10 years. Scott then began a successful 30-year career at Norfolk Collegiate School (VA). He served in a variety of roles there with the last 18 years as head of school. His long tenure has provided him with extensive experience in campus planning, operational optimization, athletic planning, and institutional advancement. During his time in Virginia, he collaborated with schools across the Commonwealth serving as board chair of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. He was awarded the Sally K. Boese Distinguished Service Award for his decades of work on behalf of the association. Scott is a graduate of Salisbury School (CT), Washington and Lee University (VA), and he earned a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He resides in Virginia and looks forward to supporting schools in this work.