When The Overlake School launched its search for a new Chief Financial Officer, the moment was ripe for both reflection and opportunity.

With a new Head of School at the helm, a strategic planning process underway, and renewed focus on sustainability and operational alignment, Overlake was seeking not just a financial expert - but a values-driven leader to help shape the school’s next chapter.

They found exactly that in Cheronne Wong, who joined the Overlake leadership team as CFO this fall.

A Mission-Aligned Leader for a Mission-Driven School

As CFO, Cheronne will play a critical role in supporting the school’s vision for the future. She'll partner closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees and lead a business office focused on operational excellence, financial transparency, and mission-aligned planning.

Cheronne brings more than two decades of experience spanning both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Most recently, she served as CFO and COO of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall Music Center, where she oversaw strategic finance, capital planning, and infrastructure development.

Earlier in her career, Cheronne held senior roles in the design and marketing industry and co-founded a performing arts studio - experiences that have shaped her collaborative leadership style and her passion for mission-driven, creative organizations.

At Overlake, she is already making a strong impact.

Cheronne’s first few weeks have been wonderful. She’s already proving to be a terrific fit for Overlake and a strong partner to me and the Board. The hiring process with NBOA Advisory Services was collaborative from start to finish - and the outcome has been a wonderful success for our school. Gretchen Warner, Head of School

Expanding the Lens, Elevating the Outcome

Overlake is known for its vibrant learning environment, inclusive culture, and deep commitment to student well-being. With a beautiful 73-acre campus in Redmond, Washington, and a student body of 570 in grades 5–12, the school blends academic challenge with a strong sense of community and purpose.

The school’s hiring committee brought deep insight and clarity to the search — while also staying open to a broad range of candidates. That perspective allowed the school to consider leaders whose paths combined financial acumen with creativity, collaboration, and cross-sector experience. Warner notes that from the beginning, they knew they were looking for more than just technical expertise - they wanted someone who could bring fresh perspective, strong values, and collaborative energy to the role. Cheronne’s background — grounded in purpose and shaped by both analytical rigor and artistic sensibility — stood out as an ideal match.

James Palmieri, CEO of NBOA Advisory Services explained how the process reinforced a key aspect of how they work:

“We approach each search with both insight and curiosity, because sometimes the strongest candidates bring a blend of skills and experience you didn’t know you were seeking until the conversations begin. Staying open minded leads to stronger results.”

Ready to Rethink Your Next Leadership Search?

NBOA Advisory Services partners with independent schools to identify, attract, and retain transformative leaders - combining deep sector insight with a flexible, school-centered approach.

Partnering with James and NBOA Advisory Services helped us identify and ultimately hire an exceptional CFO. We’re grateful for the thoughtful guidance throughout the process and thrilled with the outcome. Gretchen Warner, Head of School

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