ATLIS announces 2026 board of directors and certification council appointments

The Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS), the premier professional association for technology leaders in independent schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to its board of directors and certification council. These leaders bring deep expertise in educational technology, leadership and innovation to support ATLIS in advancing its mission to empower technology professionals in independent education.

Joining the ATLIS board of directors are:

• Amber Berry, vice president of AI and strategy at Middle States Association
• Ling Lam, M.Ed., director of technology at Helios School

ATLIS also recognizes the continued service of current board members:

• Hiram Cuevas, serving a second three-year term
• Jason Curtis, TLIS, serving a second three-year term
• Jeff Dayton, beginning a three-year term following completion of an appointed term
• James Palmieri, Ed.D., CAE, beginning a three-year term following completion of an appointed term

Joining the ATLIS certification council are:

• David Boxer, TLIS, chief information officer at The Blake School
• Hilary LaMonte, senior vice president, data and analysis for school leadership at NAIS

The certification council plays a critical role in guiding the continued development and evolution of the ATLIS certification program, ensuring its continued relevance and value for technology leaders in independent schools.

"We are thrilled to welcome Amber and Ling to the board of directors and David and Hilary to the certification council, while also celebrating the continued leadership of our returning board members," said Dr. Aggie Malter, ATLIS board chair. "Their collective expertise and commitment to the field will help ATLIS continue to grow and serve the evolving needs of our community."

About the incoming appointees

Amber Berry

Amber Berry is the inaugural vice president of AI and strategy at Middle States Association. She is the co-founder of RAIL: Responsible AI in Learning, a series of endorsements that provide schools with a framework for implementing artificial intelligence. Since its launch in March 2024, the MSA AI team has worked with more than 90 schools across 30 countries, reaching more than 75,000 students. These endorsements focus on AI literacy, safety and ethics, as well as leveraging AI for powerful learning through teacher action research.

Berry brings 15 years of experience in public and independent schools, most recently at St. Luke’s School in Connecticut, where she served in leadership roles including division head and director of teaching fellows. She began her career as a French teacher and focuses on school change, teacher growth and professional learning. She contributes through speaking engagements, workshops and her work with Evolution Academy, and holds degrees from Princeton University, Middlebury College and Columbia University Teachers College.

Ling Lam

Ling Lam is director of technology at Helios School, where she leads schoolwide technology strategy, infrastructure, network security and AI initiatives. With more than 15 years of experience in K-12 education, Lam has driven innovation in learning, IT and program leadership across schools in the United States, Europe and Asia.

She is known for bridging technical operations and pedagogy, increasing meaningful technology adoption through coaching and system optimization. Her work emphasizes intentional integration of technology, particularly for neurodiverse learners. With a background in systems management, curriculum development and instructional design, Lam brings a global perspective and a commitment to ensuring technology supports all students.

David Boxer

David Boxer is chief information officer at The Blake School, a PK-12 day school in Minneapolis, where he has served for 14 years. He previously co-founded the Center for Teaching and Learning at Windward School in Los Angeles. Boxer’s career spans more than 28 years in education, including roles as a teacher, curriculum developer and instructional coach.

An ATLIS TLIS certified professional, Boxer is an active member of the ATLIS community as a peer coach in the ATLIS Leadership Institute and a graduate of the ATLIS/9ine Privacy Academy. He brings deep experience in professional learning and technology leadership and is recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator and Common Sense Media ambassador.

Board terms

The new board members and certification council appointees will begin their terms on July 1, 2026. They will work alongside current leadership to shape the strategic direction of ATLIS, develop impactful programs and resources, and advocate for the essential role of technology leadership in independent schools.

About ATLIS

The Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) is a growing association dedicated to empowering independent schools to thrive through technology leadership. Founded in 2014 to address the unique challenges of independent school technology directors, the organization has now expanded to support all aspects of technology at schools, ensuring that they are equipped for the future. Learn more at theATLIS.org.