Strategic advisory for institutions ready to lead.
What We Do
ISA is a principal-led strategic advisory firm with more than two decades of experience working with institutions ready to lead the next era of education.
Why We Do It
We envision a future where strong, mission-driven institutions choose courageous leadership — shaping lives, strengthening communities, and advancing society.
Our Areas of Expertise & Leadership
Strategy
Strategic Planning
Visioning
Positioning & Growth
Research
Market Intelligence
Demand & Stakeholder Analysis
Perception & Insight
Marketing
Brand & Identity
Marketing Communications
Enrollment Management
Leadership
Board Strategy Labs
Generative Governance
Executive Advisory
IAN SYMMONDS
ISA Founder, Chief Strategist
Founded in 2003, ISA is a boutique, principal-anchored strategy firm led by its founder, Ian Symmonds. We advise a limited number of institutions each year, prioritizing depth, trust, and long-term relevance over scale.
Experience matters -- and Ian has seen it all. For more than 20 years, thousands of clients, and four million air miles later, Ian has likely seen more independent schools and colleges firsthand than any other consultant.
With 20+ years and thousands of clients under our belt, we’ve seen it all.
academy-of-the-sacred-heart
augusta-prep
barton-college
baylor
BGA
Brenau
carolina-friends-school
catlin-gabel
chadwick-school
crossroads-sfas
duke-school
dundalk-renaissance
Durham Academy
epilepsy-foundation
episcopal-collegiate-school
flagler-college
foote-school
foothill-country-day-school
francis-parker-school
french-american-school-of-puget-sound
george-fox-university
hackley-school
harker
holton-arms-school
international-school-of-boston
jesuit-high-school
king
kingswood-oxford
lake-highland-prep-school
maine-media
mississippi-childrens-museum
new-canaan-country-school
new-roads-school
nols
oregon-episcopal-school
oregon-health&science-university
parker
portland-community-college
ravenscroft
ridley-college
seattle-university
sidewell-friends
tampa-prep
the-blake-school
the-haverford-school
the-sage-school
think-global-school
trinity-episcopal-school
valparaiso-university
walnut-hill-school-for-the-arts
westminster-college
Thought Leadership
We’ve been writing, speaking and forecasting trends for over 20 years, amassing literally thousands of entries since 2010. Our content is shared only on this site to our ISA subscribers, clients and visitors.
