Bright School Appointed New Development Director

Sami Lord joined the Chattanooga private school in June 2026 to lead its development and fundraising initiatives.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of a brass school bell and stack of papers, representing academic development and community growth. — Bright School in Chattanooga has appointed Sami Lord as its new director of development to lead philanthropic efforts and community engagement initiatives. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bright School officially appointed Sami Lord as its new director of development in June 2026. The appointment coincided with a strategic reconfiguration of the Riverview institution's marketing and development staffing.

Why it matters

The leadership change aims to foster a stronger culture of philanthropy across the school community. By focusing on expanded outreach, the institution seeks to increase engagement among families and faculty through the Bright Fund.

The school recently reconfigured its internal staff to support new development goals. This includes the appointment of Sami Lord alongside established leadership, including director of community engagement Leisl Slaughter.

The players

Sami Lord

The newly appointed director of development at Bright School who holds an MBA.

Kristin Watts

The head of Bright School who manages the institution's strategic direction.

Leisl Slaughter

The director of community engagement who has served the school for 20 years.

Deanna Luna

The director of communications and marketing managing the school's outreach strategy.

Bright School

A private educational institution located in the Riverview neighborhood of Chattanooga.

The details

The school reconfigured its marketing and development department to better align with its outreach objectives. In her role, Lord actively participates in networking events and professional conferences to advance school initiatives. These efforts are designed to grow the Bright Fund and strengthen local philanthropic ties.

2016: Sami Lord graduated from Brighton High School.
2019: Sami Lord completed her undergraduate studies.
2024: Sami Lord earned her MBA degree.
June 2026: Sami Lord began her tenure as director of development.

The Home Front

Many independent schools are increasingly aligning their staffing with industry-standard development practices to secure long-term financial health. This move at Bright School mirrors a broader shift toward centralized, professionalized philanthropy within private education.

Families enrolled at the school should look for upcoming communications regarding the Bright Fund and community engagement events. If you are involved in school volunteerism, keep an eye on your inbox for updated seasonal outreach schedules and new opportunities to support the campus mission.

The takeaway

The appointment of a dedicated development director signals a renewed effort to engage the school community in philanthropic support. Families can prepare to participate by reviewing school-provided donation or engagement guidelines available through the main office portal.