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

Screen-print poster illustration of a brass school bell and books on a brick ledge, representing academic development. — Bright School in Chattanooga appointed Sami Lord as its new director of development to lead fundraising efforts and community outreach initiatives. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bright School in Chattanooga hired Sami Lord to serve as its director of development in June 2026. This appointment occurred as part of a broader reconfiguration of the school's marketing and development staff.

Why it matters

The school intends to leverage this new leadership to expand its community outreach and foster a stronger culture of philanthropy. These efforts are expected to support the Bright Fund and strengthen relationships with students and faculty.

Sami Lord holds an MBA earned in 2024 and a bachelor's degree from 2019. The school also relies on staff with long-term institutional knowledge, including director of community engagement Leisl Slaughter, who has a 20-year tenure at the school.

The players

Sami Lord

She serves as the director of development at Bright School and holds an MBA.

Kristin Watts

She serves as the head of Bright School in Chattanooga.

Deanna Luna

She serves as the director of communications and marketing at Bright School.

Leisl Slaughter

She serves as the director of community engagement and has been at the school for 20 years.

The details

As part of a strategic reconfiguration, Lord works alongside head of school Kristin Watts and director of communications and marketing Deanna Luna. She focuses on increasing community engagement through various networking events and conferences.

Sami Lord graduated from Brighton High School in 2016.
Lord completed her bachelor's degree in 2019.
Lord earned her MBA in 2024.
Lord began her tenure at Bright School in June 2026.

Culture Shift

The school's recent staffing changes mirror a broader move in private education toward professionalized fundraising structures. This transition reflects an increasing reliance on targeted philanthropic engagement to sustain modern school operations.

Families and staff at the school may notice increased outreach regarding the Bright Fund and school-sponsored events. These efforts represent a shift in how the institution engages its immediate community to support long-term development goals.

The takeaway

Schools often restructure their leadership to better connect with potential donors and maintain financial sustainability. Prospective families should expect more proactive communication regarding the school's philanthropic initiatives and community events.