Sarah Daignault Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award

Who should be nominated for this award?

A person who has consistently shown generous support of independent schools and their business officers, through his/her role as an association executive, a corporate partner, a consultant, or a senior administrator (other than a business officer) at an independent school.

How do I nominate someone?

Nominations are currently closed for the Outstanding Support Award.

When will the award be announced?

The recipient is announced in January, and the award is presented at NBOA's Annual Meeting.

2021 Recipients

Paco and Tina Rodriguez

Paco and Tina Rodriguez

Founders

SAGE Dining Services

Tina and Paco Rodriguez founded SAGE Dining Services. In the 30 years since its founding, SAGE has expanded to provide dining services to hundreds of independent schools across the U.S. and Canada, feeding more than 200,000 people every day, with 2,800 full-time and 600 part-time employees. Tina Rodriguez is currently chief financial officer and general counsel of SAGE and oversees SAGE’s finance and legal operations. Paco Rodriguez is president of SAGE. Prior, he served in the school and college division of a large food service company, and as an associate at McKinsey & Co., a worldwide management consulting firm.

Both Tina and Paco Rodriguez are sought after by the independent school community as speakers and webinar hosts on topics of nutrition, leadership, local food procurement and dining service management. SAGE has been a partner and supporter of NBOA since 1998. The company has sponsored cohort receptions at the NBOA Annual Meeting for many years, and in 2015 supported the first edition of Practical Guidance for Independent Schools Business Operations (now in a second edition), the only comprehensive review of an independent school’s business and financial operations to ensure legal compliance and best practice. Tina and Paco Rodriguez sponsored the Business Leadership for Independent Schools Program, a graduate certificate program offered in partnership with John Hopkins University and a precursor to today’s NBOA Leadership Academy, and also taught the capstone on leadership.

Past Recipients

NBOA has given out the Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award since 2011. View the award's past recipients.

About Sarah Daignault

The Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award honors the legacy of Sarah P. Daignault, who served as the Executive Director of NBOA for the first 12 years of its existence. The award recognizes the instrumental role in developing strong relationships in the independent school industry in support of the efforts of the business officer. It honors Sarah's vision and dedication, which transformed NBOA from a small group of like-minded business officers into a thriving organization supported by hundreds of members across the country.

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