Mike Flanagan appointed as CEO of newly merged educational organisation
In a significant development for the independent school sector, the newly established entity resulting from the merger of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) has appointed Mike Flanagan as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 12, 2025. Flanagan, an experienced leader with over three decades in nonprofit management and educational technology, currently leads the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC), where he has notably advanced a digital competency-based credentialing platform, facilitating alternative pathways for student admissions into numerous colleges and universities.
Flanagan’s appointment marks a pivotal step as the new organisation, informally referred to as “NewOrg” until a permanent name is established, prepares to expand its services to independent schools, students, and families. ERB Board Chair Fran Bisselle highlighted Flanagan's qualifications, stating, “Mike’s deep understanding of independent schools and families, combined with his expertise in leading organizations through transformational change, makes him the ideal leader for this next chapter.” Bisselle further expressed confidence that Flanagan’s experience will bolster NewOrg’s commitment to be agile and mission-driven in addressing the evolving educational landscape.
Flanagan expressed his enthusiasm in joining this initiative, stating, “I’m thrilled to be joining NewOrg at such a pivotal moment. By combining the strengths of ERB and EMA, we’re creating something far greater than the sum of its parts. This new entity will be designed to serve today’s school leaders and families while continuously innovating to prepare for what’s ahead.” His focus aligns with NewOrg’s goals of serving the current needs of independent educational institutions while anticipating future challenges.
With a background that includes significant roles in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as CEO of School and Student Services (SSS), Flanagan has overseen financial aid solutions for over 1,700 schools and nonprofits. Additionally, he is a co-founder of Intrepid Learning Solutions, where he played a crucial role in expanding the organisation to a valuation of $35 million.
The merger between EMA and ERB was initially announced on September 5, 2024, with the intent to synergise their distinct areas of expertise, data insights, and enrolment tools to foster student success. EMA has garnered recognition for its leadership in admission assessments and enrolment management, while ERB boasts a century-long reputation for providing data-driven insights and assessment solutions for students. The combined experience and resources of these two established organisations are seen as a pivotal opportunity to enhance their collective impact on independent schools and the families they support.
While the merger is contingent upon final approval, which is anticipated in Spring 2025, ERB and EMA will maintain their independent operations until all necessary agreements are completed. Both organisations continue to deliver their assessment solutions, tools, and conferences as they await the merger's finalisation.
The EMA currently supports more than 1,200 schools and 80,000 families annually, offering data-driven enrolment solutions along with administering the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) and the Standard Application Online (SAO). Conversely, ERB is dedicated to fostering a holistic approach to student success through its century-long provision of assessment tools that evaluate academic performance and social-emotional skills. With Flanagan at the helm, the newly merged organisation aims to integrate these capabilities to provide enhanced support in the rapidly evolving educational environment.