Brian Stephenson Receives NBOA Professional Achievement Award

Brian Stephenson, Director of Operations at Newark Academy — a 6-12 independent school in Livingston, NJ — is the recipient of the 2024 Professional Achievement Award from National Business Officers Association (NBOA).

The award honors business and operations staff at independent schools who have made significant and lasting contributions to their school’s operations or financial health. These staff members distinguish themselves every day and make exceptional contributions to their schools and the independent school community.

“Brian leads by example and asks nothing of his staff that he would not do himself,” says Director of Business and Finance Sam Goldfischer. “His attention to detail is exceptional and his grasp and understanding of the scope of each job reflects the pride he takes in all he does. We are so fortunate to have him heading up our Operations Department.”

Brian has been at Newark Academy 24 years and has served as the Director of Operations since 2005. During his tenure at NA, Brian has been a key contributor to the creation of a campus Master Plan, the execution of over a dozen major construction projects — including the Gold Standard LEED Certified Petrello Upper School Academic Center, the Wilf Middle School and the Coraci Performance Hall, and the implementation of myriad other campus improvements.
“I am deeply honored to receive the NBOA Professional Achievement Award,” says Brian. “This recognition is not just about me but a reflection of the incredible team I am privileged to work with. Their dedication, collaboration and shared commitment to excellence make everything we accomplish possible. Thank you to NBOA for this recognition and for creating a community that values our collective efforts.”

Brian was one of only 10 independent school business office staff members across the world to receive the 2024 NBOA Professional Achievement Award.

For more information about the award, visit https://www.nboa.org/about-nboa/awards/professional-achievement-award

About Newark Academy: Founded in 1774, NA is one of the nation’s oldest day schools and older than our country. For more than 250 years, Newark Academy has been committed to innovative, relationship-centered teaching and learning, delivering a best-in-class education. Newark Academy’s motto, “Ad Lumen” — meaning “toward the light,” serves as the school’s guiding principle. The school’s approach has illuminated the potential in generations of students by empowering them to pursue their passions and achieve excellence both inside and outside the classroom. For more information about Newark Academy, visit www.newarka.edu.