Guest Speakers

Kerry Brennan

In 2004, Kerry Brennan became the 11th headmaster of The Roxbury Latin School (United States). By the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year, he will have held this esteemed position for two decades. During his tenure at Roxbury, Brennan has steadfastly upheld the school's traditions and ethos. Concurrently, he has proven instrumental in the school's evolution, by enhancing and expanding programs, fostering and recruiting exceptional individuals, and ensuring that Roxbury's facilities are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, serving the community admirably. Brennan's notable contributions to the global mission of boys’ schools and especially to IBSC are widely recognized. His tenure as board chair from 2015-18 made a significant and lasting impact on our coalition.

Graham Able

Graham Able spent 40 years teaching in independent schools, the last 21 as headmaster at Dulwich College (United Kingdom) in London, retiring in 2009. In his time at Dulwich, he served as chair of the IBSC Board of Trustees from 2006-09. Able was chief executive officer at Alpha Plus from 2009-14, and now serves as deputy chairman at Alpha Plus Holdings plc. A keen sportsman, he is a member of the historic Marylebone Cricket Club.

David Anderson

Recently retired, David Anderson has devoted himself to educating boys in a single-sex environment at Shore School (Australia) since 1980. A geography teacher, Anderson served as senior boarding housemaster and boarding housemaster for 25 years and on the School Executive for 15 years.

In 1995, he led his first IBSC Annual Conference workshop, continuing to present workshops at 17 more conferences! Anderson hosted the IBSC Annual Conference at Shore School in 2003 and served on the IBSC Board of Trustees from 2003-13, including three years as vice president Australasia.

Anderson has promoted boys’ education across Australia and globally. He has conducted four IBSC regional conferences at Shore School, introduced many international guest speakers to member schools throughout Australia and New Zealand, and boosted IBSC membership.

Anderson received the 2017 IBSC Hawley-Jarvis Award at the 2017 IBSC Annual Conference in Baltimore hosted by The Boys' Latin School of Maryland (United States). Watch the video of the award presentation.

Brad Gioia

Brad Gioia has led Montgomery Bell Academy (United States) since 1994 and finishes his tenure in June 2023. He also teaches Advanced Placement English. Under his leadership the school has achieved tremendous accomplishments in academics, athletics, the arts, and annual giving. Gioia has also overseen the growth of the school’s physical campus, including transforming the school’s Harding Road campus and adding 10 acres in Sylvan Park and 150 acres in McMinnville, Tennessee, home to the school’s observatory. The school has also expanded beyond the borders of the United States, with exchange programs on five continents that send nearly 100 boys across the globe every year. 

Prior to his tenure at Montgomery Bell Academy, Gioia spent 18 years at the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia. He served in a variety of roles, including English faculty, director of admission and financial Aid, and headmaster.

Gioia holds a B.A. in English from University of the South, an M.A. in English from Middlebury College, and an M.Ed., administration from West Georgia College.

Rick Melvoin

Rick Melvoin spent his entire career in the world of education. A graduate of Harvard College, with an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan, he served as a teacher, coach, theater director, dormitory resident, and history department chair and dean of studies at Deerfield Academy.

After five years as assistant dean of admissions and financial aid at Harvard, Melvoin became head of school at Belmont Hill School (United States) and served there for 25 years. His experience in working with schools and boards runs deep. He was elected to the Board of Overseers at Harvard; he also served on the boards of The Winsor School, The Haverford School, and The Epiphany School. He also has served as president of the boards of IBSC and The Headmasters Association.

Currently, Melvoin chairs the Governance Committee as a member of the board of Facing History and Ourselves and chairs the Program Committee for The Steppingstone Foundation.

John Farber

John Farber serves as the managing director of RG175, which he joined in 2017, and has nearly 40 years of independent school experience (both day and boarding) with more than 20 years as a head of school. 

Well-known In the independent school community for his skills in board governance, strategic thinking, fundraising, and personnel management, Farber served as head of Old Trail School for 17 years and South Kent School for four years. He worked as director of admissions and financial aid at Belmont Hill School (United States) and director of development and admissions at Darrow School. He started teaching at Winston School in Dallas, where he was also outdoor education director. Farber also taught science and history at Landmark School north of Boston and was assistant director of admissions at Landmark College in Putney, VT. 

Farber served an 11-year term as a board member of the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, including three years as board chair, and was president of the Cleveland Consortium of Independent Schools and a board member of the Ohio Association of Independent Schools. He was also a board member of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and co-founder and executive vice president of IBSC. He co-founded the Independent Schools Benefits Consortium, an employee benefits organization focusing on cost control and cultivating a healthy work environment. He currently serves on the Dana Farber Cancer Institute board and as an emeritus trustee for South Kent School. 

Farber graduated from Trinity University and holds an M.ED guidance and counseling from Antioch University. He is a proud husband, father of five children, and lifelong Red Sox and Patriots fan.