Left: Cal-ISBOA President Manuel Pardo and Board Members Rebecca Rowland and Nicole Pennington present the 2025 MACI award to Lisa Turchan at the Claremont Resort & Club in the Berkeley Hills.

Lisa Turchan started her Independent School journey as a Chief Financial Officer in 2004 at The Buckley School, and she is still serving at the same school today. Lisa served on the Cal-ISBOA Board from 2012 to 2016, and she continues to serve as a regional liaison and participates in the Cal-ISBOA mentor program. She also currently serves on the NBOA board, representing California on the national level.

Lisa is the embodiment of the spirit of Cal-ISBOA. She believes in the missions of our schools, and she believes in ensuring that the business operations of independent schools remain strong and unimpeachable. Having transitioned into the independent school world from the entertainment industry, Lisa understands the need for mentorship and peer support in our professions. Lisa has been a long-time "connector" within the Cal-ISBOA community for many years. She reaches out to new Business Officers in a quiet and unassuming way, just to let them know that she's available, should they need advice or guidance regarding the unique nature of independent schools. We are so fortunate to have Lisa as a leader in our community!

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

It’s truly an honor to be recognized by my peers for something I love doing. I’ve always believed that as you give to the world, the world gives back to you—and over the past 20 years, I’ve received far more in return through the deep friendships, meaningful connections, and spirit of collegiality within this community.

I was fortunate to have worked closely with Martha Ambros during her leadership at Cal-ISBOA, and I carry forward the high standards she set. Her example is an inspiration and I’m deeply grateful for the long-standing relationships I’ve built within this community. I thank each of you for your collaboration, support, and camaraderie.

Alona Scott, Head of School of The Buckley School, adds her congratulations and says,

We are thrilled that Lisa is being honored by Cal-ISBOA as the recipient of the Martha Ambros Community Impact Award. Lisa has a brilliant mind, and an ever-expanding heart. This award is a tribute to her consistent efforts to welcome, embrace, and connect independent school professionals.

When Lisa arrived at Buckley 20+ years ago, the school was running an annual operating deficit. Working strategically, Lisa has not only led the school to financial health, including the development of a $55M+ endowment, but she has also overseen the successful expansion of the CUP and campus master planning, including the construction of six buildings, the most recent of which will open this summer. In addition, Lisa has shepherded the school through a number of challenging times, ranging from the markets of 2008 to the pandemic to the impact of Hollywood Strikes and, just this year, the fires in Los Angeles.

Working side by side with her has been a gift. All of us in the independent school world are lucky to have her as a colleague and those of us who are really lucky, also get to call her a friend.

Lisa 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 2026 award! Speaking to why 2026 nominations are important, Lisa says,

The role of the business officer and the business office is often behind the scenes. While our contributions may not always be visible to the broader school community, they are deeply understood by our peers. We cannot do our jobs if it is not for the continual support we get from each other, whether it’s answering a question on the listserv, sharing school data for benchmarking, talking through a complex situation only another business officer would grasp, or simply exchanging a laugh over lunch—we are stronger because of each other.

We know the value of these relationships and the importance of recognizing and thanking each other. This nomination is a sign of gratitude, a thank you for being there, and an acknowledgment of the impact it had on your journey. Most of all, it is a continuation of the tradition of mutual support that defines our community.

Although we will not announce 2026 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

To be eligible for this award, individuals must demonstrate active involvement in our community through engagement in the Listserv, conferences, and other programming offered by Cal-ISBOA. Current Board members are not eligible.

In the spirit of celebrating service in our community, the Board invites all Cal-ISBOA members to nominate members worthy of this prestigious recognition.

Our nomination form will collect some basic information to facilitate our award administration as well as a simple statement about why you believe the nominee deserves this recognition based on the award description.

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