IECA Announces Leigh R. Allen II as New CEO

The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously chosen Leigh R. Allen II as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 2, 2024. Allen will succeed Mark H. Sklarow, who is retiring after his 30-year tenure in the position.

“After a yearlong, nationwide search process, the IECA board is thrilled to have found the best individual to assume leadership of our organization,” said Belinda Wilkerson, President of the IECA Board of Directors. “Leigh’s track record of strong leadership and his knowledge of both the education space and nonprofits/associations makes him uniquely qualified to take IECA into the future.”

Allen, with his 20 years of C-suite leadership and strategic planning experience, as well as his familiarity working with diverse stakeholders, brings the skills, perspectives, and relationships to lead IECA into its next chapter. He served most recently as Chief Operating Officer for the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. Previously, he was Director of Mentoring, Marketing & Development (Public Service Division/Fund for Justice Education) for the American Bar Association. Allen holds an MS in Information Technology from the University of Maryland, an MBA from John Hopkins University, an MS in Organizational Leadership from Nyack College, and a BA in Political Science from Morehouse College.

“I’m honored and grateful for this opportunity,” said Allen. “I firmly believe that everyone benefits from a solid academic foundation, and dedicated, reputable independent educational consultants like IECA members are paramount to ensuring this occurs.”

Recent years have seen tremendous growth in the independent educational consultant profession, with IECA’s membership now totaling more than 2,800 consultants in almost every state and 41 countries around the world (as compared to approximately 1,600 in 2017). Throughout its growth, however, its adherence to the highest standards in ethical, student-centered advising has remained unchanged.

Outgoing CEO Mark Sklarow will continue to work through the end of the year to assure a smooth transition and to provide support on specific projects as required. The remainder of the IECA staff will remain in their current positions.

“I look forward to working with our outstanding staff, board, and members to build on IECA’s growth and take the association into the future,” Allen concluded.

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About IECA: Founded in 1976, the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is the world’s leading professional organization for educational advisors working in private practice. Families trust IECA’s thoroughly vetted members to find a college, school, or program that matches a student’s academic, social, and financial needs and guide them through the search and application process. With 2,800 educational consultant members across the country and around the world, IECA provides education and training on admissions, ethical practice, and adolescent issues from depression to anxiety to learning differences, to ensure every student is well served.

CONTACT: Sarah Brachman, Director of Communications, [email protected] or 703-591-4850 ext. 6971