Damian Kavanagh

Since July 2017, Dr. Damian Kavanagh, CAE has served as President & CEO of MISBO. Damian has over 30 years of independent school industry experience. Prior to MISBO, Damian spent seven years as a vice president with SAIS where he oversaw the accreditation and membership programs of the association. Prior to joining SAIS, he spent 15 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator at The Westminster Schools of Atlanta, GA, a nationally recognized school with deep roots in the independent school community, and the birthplace of MISBO. From there, he served as head of school of Cambridge Academy in Greenwood, SC.

Damian earned both his BA and MA in Latin literature from the University of Georgia, a specialist degree and doctorate in education (educational leadership for learning) from Kennesaw State University where his research was on the alignment of independent school heads and boards to principles of governance in times of normalcy and in times of crisis, and the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives.

Damian is a near native of Charlottesville, VA and a graduate of Saint Anne’s‐Belfield School. Damian is a distance cycling enthusiast and is active in the sport of lacrosse and has been recognized as a coach of the year, an official of the year, and has been inducted into the Georgia Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame.