J. Daniel Hollinger, PhD
Areas of Expertise
Leadership and Leadership Development
School Design and Startup
School Improvement and Transformation
International Baccalaureate Programmes
Dual-Language, Inquiry-Based and Transdisciplinary Education
Teacher Training and Staff Development
Faculty Culture and Team Building
Organizational Development
Strategic Planning
Governance and Board Development
Faculty and Staff Compensation
Crisis and Change Management
Positions, Projects and Accomplishments
HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL, Chevy Chase, MD
Coach and consultant serving independent, international and charter schools. Provide coaching services, and tailored, strategic assistance to establish new schools, improve education and strengthen leadership.
FOUNDER and HEAD OF SCHOOL (06/88-08/08)
Coeus International School and Rock Creek International School, Washington, DC
Founded, built and led international schools. Designed and delivered dual-language International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes in Arabic, English, French, Greek, Mandarin and Spanish. Built $6M company in highly competitive market, transitioning from startup to full-scale operations. Captured emerging markets with groundbreaking programs and services. Built and led high-performing faculty, management and governance teams – capitalizing on assets to create and improve services, programs and operations for competitive advantage, cost savings and revenue growth. Recruited, trained and supervised over 300 faculty and staff members. Established strategic partnerships with corporations, foundations, NGOs, governments, schools and universities worldwide to enhance services, enter new markets and raise funds. Acquired and developed five campuses, raised $7M and negotiated below-market contracts for $3M savings. Functioned as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Development Officer and Chief Academic Officer during various developmental phases.
Innovative, Dual-Language, International Baccalaureate Programmes: Developed and delivered highly acclaimed dual-language International Baccalaureate programmes that achieved extraordinary academic, intellectual, linguistic and social results for students from extremely diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. Transformed teaching and learning into a dynamic engagement among educators and learners across languages, disciplines and grades. Established innovative programs, including Professionals-in-Residence, Peace Education, and Olympism Athletics. Set up international exchange programs globally to promote cross-cultural understanding and enhance learning. Tailored curriculum and teaching to serve students with diverse learning styles and intelligences. Educated students to excel intellectually, academically and socially.
Business Development: Grew enrollment from 5 to 250 and revenue from $50K to $5.7M at RCIS. Increased enrollment from 75 to 125 and nearly doubled revenue from $650K to $1.2M in two years at CIS. Identified and developed new revenue streams. Expanded education and related services throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Managed significant annual growth while maintaining high quality services and strong client relations. Created and sustained an organizational culture that valued and rewarded innovation and business development at all levels.
Strategic Planning: Designed and implemented strategic plans for organizational growth and development, including comprehensive marketing, branding, sales, financial, staffing and campus expansion strategies to compete successfully against significantly stronger institutions.
Branding, Marketing and Public Relations: Developed distinctive school concept and brand, assessed the market and identified target markets. Conducted high-impact marketing and public relations campaigns.
School and Faculty Culture: Created diverse school communities and a culture of respect for all students regardless of economic, cultural or linguistic backgrounds. Built and led high-performing, collaborative faculty, staff and governance teams. Created and sustained a faculty culture characterized by innovation, professional growth, teamwork and indefatigable devotion to each student’s academic, intellectual and social growth.
Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Professional Development: Recruited internationally and trained over 300 faculty and staff members. Delivered training in multiple areas, including inquiry-based pedagogy, transdisciplinary curricula, classroom management and special education. Designed and organized multiyear professional development programs.
Faculty Performance and Compensation: Designed and implemented an innovative “Faculty Support, Evaluation and Compensation System” that linked performance to compensation, resulting in significant performance improvement, enrollment and revenue gains, and annual 10% salary increases for four consecutive years.
Strategic Partnerships: Built partnerships with corporations, foundations, governments, NGOs, schools and universities in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America. Developed strategic partnerships locally, nationally and globally for business development, marketing, public relations, service enhancement and campus expansion. Established affiliations with schools locally and globally for teacher and student exchange programs. Forged alliances with universities for teacher training and curriculum development.
Authorization and Accreditation: Obtained authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organisation and accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Received commendations for high quality programs from both organizations.
Fundraising: Raised over $1M philanthropically from foundations, governments, corporations, NGOs and constituents, and over $1.4M in capital.
Negotiations and Savings: Consistently demonstrated outstanding negotiation skills. Delivered $4M in savings by negotiating below-market real estate lease, acquisition, financing and construction contract terms.
Campus Acquisitions, Design and Build-Out: Managed five campus acquisitions, complex zoning changes, architectural design and build-out. Completed projects before deadlines and under budget.
Early Career Experience
Lecturer – American University
Lecturer – Marymount University
Associate Director – Center for Unique Learners
Education Specialist – District of Columbia Department of Human Services
Director – Montgomery County Youth Service Corps
Intern – United States Department of Education
Special Education Resource Teacher – United States Virgin Islands
Owner and General Contractor – Sawdust, Etc.
Principal and Teacher – Wood Corner School
Education
Med, Special Education: Emotional Disturbance – American University: Concentration; Learning Disabilities
BA, General Studies – University of Maryland
General Studies – Phillips Universität and Eastern Mennonite University
Professional Affiliations
Council of International Schools
European Council of International Schools
East Asian Regional Council of Oversees Schools
Council of International Schools of the Americas
National Association of Charter School Authorizers
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
National Association of Independent Schools
Association for Continuing Higher Education
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies
Board Service
Imagine Global Village Academy, Member, Board of Directors
Next Generation Education Foundation – Secretary, Board of Directors
Northern California University – Member, Accreditation Committee
George Mason University FAST TRAIN Program – Member, Advisory Board
Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington – Member, Board of Trustees
Community Service
Mennonite Central Committee
Volunteer in Haiti to help earthquake victims
Red Cross Grate Patrol
Red Cross Emergency Services
Lutheran Social Services
So Others May Eat
DC College Success Foundation
DC Superior Court Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division
Manna