We are pleased to announce that the ERB and EMA boards have signed an affiliation agreement to make our merger official. This signing followed a unanimous vote by each board to approve the merger this fall.
 
The merger is currently subject to customary closing conditions, and we expect formal approval by early spring, at which point EMA and ERB will become a new organization (temporarily referred to as “NewOrg”).
 
EMA and ERB continue to take appropriate steps to plan for NewOrg while that closing process is underway. Staff have been leading joint workgroups on topics from finance to member experience, led by Claire Goldsmith, who continues to consult as an integration strategist. A group of ERB and EMA current board members and senior staff are beginning to build NewOrg’s mission and brand—and give it a permanent name. Many of the two organizations’ valued members should expect to be involved in that process. Additionally, the search for NewOrg’s CEO continues, with a target to name a new leader in the first quarter of 2025.
 
As stated previously, each organization will continue to provide its respective suite of services, including assessments, tools, and conferences. Members of ERB and EMA will hear more in January about what they can expect in the 2025-2026 member/academic year.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Fran Bisselle
ERB Board Chair
Head of School, Hathaway Brown

Jim Hamilton
EMA Board Chair
Head of School, Berwick Academy