Edward Dougherty
Director Of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
Charleston,SC
Summary
Independent school leader skilled in driving strategic growth, experiential learning, and innovation. Known for redesigning schoolwide programs, strengthening community partnerships, and balancing tradition with forward-thinking practices centered on student well-being and global citizenship.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Director of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
Chatham Hall
07.2024 - Current
- Establishing strategic initiatives that elevate student learning, well-being, and institutional growth while collaborating across divisions to foster innovation, align programs with mission-driven goals, and support sustainable schoolwide development.
- Maintaining high visibility across campus, in classrooms, athletic events, dorms, and student gatherings, to strengthen community culture and ensure a seamless, connected student experience.
- Collaborating with Trustees and external partners at Babson College to shape and execute the School’s long-term strategic plan (Vision 2050), ensuring alignment with mission, values, and future institutional priorities.
- Leading the strategic overhaul of January Term by designing experiential, co-curricular programming focused on student well-being, mental health, and hands-on learning, in partnership with 15 alumnae mentors.
- Redeveloping auxiliary and summer programs to optimize operations, enhance student experiences, and strengthen financial sustainability, resulting in a 20% revenue increase in one year.
Educational Consultant
Self-employeed
07.2015 - Current
- Partnering with Heads, Boards, and leadership teams at 20+ institutions to design long-term vision, align programs with mission, and guide institutions through strategic planning, retreats, and organizational change.
- Developing faculty and leadership capacity through personalized coaching and professional development focused on instructional innovation, assessment, technology integration, wellness, and effective team culture.
Director of Innovation, Information, and Auxiliary Services
Ashley Hall
07.2018 - 06.2024
- Led the transformation of classroom pedagogy and physical learning design by integrating educational technology, modern instructional strategies, and mission-aligned innovation across PreK–12 students, faculty, and staff.
- Redesigned and expanded auxiliary and summer programs through data analysis, strategic program development, and high-impact marketing—resulting in a 125% revenue increase in 10 months and strengthened enrollment and community engagement.
- Co-managed $5.5M campus expansion projects by conducting needs analyses, collaborating with CFO/COO and external teams, designing new program spaces, and partnering with advancement to support messaging and donor engagement.
- Built local, national, and global partnerships—including participation in Google’s Project Culture Shift cohort—to expand opportunities for student skill development and align school programming with future-ready competencies.
Founder, Director
Team Coastal Lacrosse
01.2013 - 12.2024
- Built the #1 girls lacrosse company in South Carolina in 24 months scaling from 20 athletes to 300 athletes in PreK-12 while managing all business elements, including program creation, marketing, branding, hiring and training of staff, budgeting.
Innovation Technology Specialist
Charleston County Schools
01.2013 - 06.2018
- Led a team of 15 Instructional Technology Coaches to support 85 Charleston County School District schools while working directly with teachers and principals on technology integration and professional development planning and implementation.
Elementary Teacher & Varsity Coach
Charleston County Schools
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Served on school leadership team focused on improving instructional practices, furthering professional growth of 350 students, and advancing educational initiatives.
Education
M. Ed - Educational Leadership
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR01.2012
Master of Science - Childhood Education, Social Studies Education
State University of New York At Cortland
Cortland, NY 05.2001 -
Skills
- Balancing tradition with innovation to meet evolving educational needs and ensure long-term success, with a focus on detail, follow-through, and accountability
- Navigating complex change by analyzing systems, anticipating challenges, and guiding communities through thoughtful, mission-aligned transitions
- Building strong relationships and partnerships, both internally and externally, to expand opportunities, strengthen culture, and advance institutional priorities
- Communicating effectively to engage stakeholders and foster collaboration
- Leading and inspiring teams to accomplish strategic goals aligned with the institution's mission
- Managing time and organizing resources to ensure efficient project execution and team success
- Leveraging emerging technologies to enhance learning and maintain a competitive edge
Certification
1 of 15 members in the first Global Leadership Institute, International Coalition of Girls' Schools
Presentations
- AI in Our Schools, Texarkana Summit, September 2025
- Preparing Students with the Skills to Thrive in an AI Infused World, Virtual, August 2025
- Assessment FOR Learning, ICGS, June 2025
- Positive Student Impact, ICGS, June 2024
- What’s Next for Education? The Roaring 20’s (Keynote), Lake ECMECC, August 2022
- A Mathematical Journey: Improving Learning for Lower School Girls, NAIS Virtual, June 2020
- Youth Athletics and Positive Impact on Academics, Sydney AUS Innovator Academy, August 2017
Timeline
Director of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
Chatham Hall
07.2024 - Current
Director of Innovation, Information, and Auxiliary Services
Ashley Hall
07.2018 - 06.2024
Educational Consultant
Self-employeed
07.2015 - Current
Founder, Director
Team Coastal Lacrosse
01.2013 - 12.2024
Innovation Technology Specialist
Charleston County Schools
01.2013 - 06.2018
Elementary Teacher & Varsity Coach
Charleston County Schools
01.2010 - 01.2013
Master of Science - Childhood Education, Social Studies Education
State University of New York At Cortland
05.2001 -
M. Ed - Educational Leadership
Arkansas State University