April 3, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Kathy Layendecker, Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations at Castilleja School, has received the 2026 MACI Award!

Named after Cal-ISBOA’s founding Executive Director, The Martha Ambros Community Impact (MACI) Award is given to a member of the California independent school community who has distinguished themself through their engagement in professional development activities, their connection with fellow members, and their impact within the Cal-ISBOA community. Consistent with Martha’s leadership, recipients will have transcended their role as an employee of an independent school by furthering the hallmarks of our association: collegiality, connectedness, integrity, and friendship within and across school communities.

Inaugurated in 2024, the Martha Ambros Community Impact Award is formally presented annually at the Cal-ISBOA Annual Meeting, which will be held on April 21, 2026 at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena.

Kathy Layendecker started her Independent School journey in 2005 as the CFO at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon. She went on to be the Interim Head of School for two years and then Associate Head of School. In 2012, Kathy left Oregon Episcopal School to become Head of School at Shattuck-St Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota. She arrived at Castilleja School in 2014, where she continues to serve as Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations. Kathy has also worked in the private sector as an investment banker at First Boston and Goldman Sachs, as a strategist for Harcourt General, and as a founding employee of IGN Entertainment.

Kathy served on the Cal-ISBOA Board of Directors from July 2016 through June 2022, culminating in her service as the President of the Board from 2020-2022, as well as numerous Committees throughout the years. During her time as Board President, she oversaw the strategic planning process as well as succession planning around Martha Ambros's retirement as founding Executive Director of the organization. Beyond her notable contributions to Cal-ISBOA, Kathy has served on the Boards of the National Business Officers Association (NBOA), Carey School, Avenidas, and the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP). She has also presented on Finance 101 at the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Trustee / School Head Conference, facilitated sessions at the CAIS Annual Meeting, and served on Pacific University’s Endowment Investment Committee.

About winning this year’s MACI Award, Kathy says, 

I have enjoyed being part of and contributing to Cal-ISBOA, and I am humbled and honored to be nominated by my peers and recognized by a community of educators I rely on, admire, and respect.

Betty Noel-Pierre, Head of School at Castilleja School, adds her congratulations and says, 

After such a long career in independent schools, it is fitting that Kathy has earned this distinguished honor. The Cal-ISBOA community has been an important part of her professional life, and her impact within that community and beyond deserves recognition.

Kathy joins the Cal-ISBOA Board of Directors and staff in encouraging our community to start thinking NOW about who you’d like to recognize with the 2027 award! Although we will not announce 2027 award nominations until after the first of the year, you may submit nominations for next year’s award at any time through this form:

NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES

Please send any questions about this award to Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi at scarlett.vanyi@isboa.org.