Speakers Bureau

Maria J. Ribera
Senior Executive Consultant
Catholic School Management, a division of Christian Brothers Services

BIOGRAPHY
Maria Ribera is the Senior Executive Consultant for Catholic School Management. Maria has been associated with Catholic education since 1992 when she first started her teaching career. As an educator, Maria has been a classroom teacher in the Catholic K-12 setting and has held administrative roles as Assistant Principal/Dean of Studies, Interim Principal, Academic Technology Coordinator, College Counselor, and Academic Counselor. Prior to dedicating her career to Catholic education, Maria also worked as a teacher and administrator in both public and private independent schools. In addition, she has training and experience in the design and marketing industry as a graphic designer and in visual merchandising.

Since 2001, Maria has been working with Catholic School Management providing consultative guidance and directing the delivery of consulting services in various areas. At the organizational level, she leads mission clarification and foundational document development workshops, provides professional guidance and training in all aspects of school governance and board operations, and consults with dioceses, parishes, and religious orders with regard to school structures and school system models and implementation. In the administrative and academic arenas, she has worked directly with schools for assessments of administrative functioning and structure; administrative mentoring; academic, co-curricular, extracurricular, and service program assessments; and evaluation of guidance and counseling programs. She coordinates CSM’s distinctive Institutional Assessment and Strategic Management and Development Programs while also providing leadership and vision to client work in Strategic Planning for schools, school systems, and arch/diocesan offices of Catholic schools. In the areas of enrollment management, marketing, and communication, she directs audits focused on enhancing market distinction and differentiation as well as best practices from recruitment to re-enrollment. She is a lead presenter for CSM seminars and workshops and has been a speaker at NCEA and ISTE among other conferences.

Having grown up in New York, Maria now resides in California. Maria is a graduate of the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, a Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Technology from Nova Southeastern University, and Graduate Certification in Administration and Supervision through Johns Hopkins in collaboration with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Maria also holds California Clear Single Subject Teaching Credentials in Art and Spanish.

• Marketing the Catholic School for Image and Enrollment
• Using Data to Market Your Catholic School
• Preparing the Long-range Strategic Plan for a Catholic School
• Implementing a Comprehensive Communication Program in the Catholic School
• Initiating a Program of Annual Giving in the Catholic School
• Providing for Effective Boards and Councils in Catholic Schools