Christopher Brueningsen is a nationally recognized education executive, board advisor, and strategic consultant with over 35 years of leadership experience in independent schools and nonprofit organizations. Renowned for his visionary thinking and operational expertise, Chris has dedicated his career to advancing educational excellence, strengthening institutional health, and fostering mission-aligned innovation.
From 2002 to 2024, Chris served as Head of School and CEO of The Kiski School, where he led a transformational era that redefined the school’s financial strength, academic rigor, and national visibility. Under his leadership, Kiski raised over $60 million through capital campaigns, scholarship funds, and operational support—an unprecedented achievement in the school’s history. Through five strategic planning cycles, Chris aligned academic priorities with operational sustainability, enhanced governance practices, and cultivated a high-performing culture grounded in trust, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
His leadership was recognized at the national level in 2023, when he was awarded the TABS Ruzicka Leadership Award—the highest honor bestowed upon heads of school by The Association of Boarding Schools. This accolade reflected not only his transformational work at Kiski but also his influence across the broader independent school landscape.
Chris’s governance expertise extends far beyond the headship. He has served in numerous board leadership roles, including President of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), Board President of the Pittsburgh Consortium of Independent Schools, and trustee positions at The Ellis School, West Nottingham Academy, and currently The Mountain School at Winhall. His consulting work has brought him into partnership with domestic and international schools and organizations, where he advises boards and senior leadership on strategic planning, enrollment and tuition modeling, advancement strategy, and executive coaching.
Earlier in his career, Chris held senior leadership roles at Nichols School in New York and Brunswick School in Connecticut, where he drove academic programming, led faculty development, and introduced forward-thinking curricula. He also collaborated with technology leaders such as Texas Instruments to integrate digital tools and STEM innovation into classroom environments—experience that continues to inform his expertise in education technology and scalable professional development.
Chris holds a Master of Education in Mathematics Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Muhlenberg College, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He was honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, presented by President Bill Clinton and the National Science Foundation—further testament to his lifelong commitment to educational excellence.
Now based in Vermont with his wife Megan, a college counselor, and their two children, Chris continues to advise schools and organizations as an independent consultant. He is actively seeking compensated board and advisory roles where his strategic insight, fundraising acumen, and governance experience can help organizations grow, adapt, and lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving educational and nonprofit landscape.
Character: Chris is a mission-driven and values-based leader known for his integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to student-centered education.
Knowledge: With over 35 years of experience, Chris possesses deep expertise in educational leadership, governance, fundraising, and curriculum innovation.
Strategic: He has a proven track record of driving long-term institutional growth through data-informed planning, financial modeling, and visionary goal-setting.
Communication: Chris is a skilled communicator who builds trust across stakeholders, inspires teams, and engages effectively with boards, donors, and school communities.
