Governance is ultimately about people.
Not policies. Not paperwork. People making important decisions together.
OUR STORY
We did not become passionate about governance because we loved policies. We became passionate because we saw how good people can struggle to make complex decisions without clear governance, open dialogue, and the confidence to challenge one another. Through our experiences as international school trustees, staff members, and nonprofit leaders, we have seen how strong board culture, preparation, strategic planning, and a shared understanding of roles can transform organizations.
Founded in 2025, CD Governance Partners brings together our lived experience and shared expertise to help schools and organizations build stronger governance practices. We listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and provide practical guidance that connects sound governance principles with the real challenges boards and leaders face-creating clarity, confidence, and sustainable systems for the future.
MEET CHRISTINE
Christine Decker
Founder & Principal
Christine Decker is the Founder and Principal of CD Governance Partners, an international governance consulting practice and affiliate organization of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA). She works with international school boards and school leaders to strengthen governance structures, board effectiveness, and the partnerships that enable schools to thrive.
Christine's perspective is shaped by extensive experience within the international school community, including six years as an elected trustee and many years supporting board and senior leadership work as an executive administrator. She also holds the BoardSource Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting. This combination allows her to bridge governance principles with the practical realities boards face every day.
She helps boards strengthen governance in practice by improving how trustees prepare, communicate, distinguish governance from operations, build productive partnerships with the Head of School or Director, and make mission-driven decisions that support their school's long-term success. Her consulting style is collaborative, practical, and grounded in each school's unique context.
MEET CATHERINE
Catherine Davies
Partner
Catherine brings over 20 years of combined experience in non-profit management and international education to CD Governance Partners. Before moving into the education sector, Catherine served in leadership roles across non-profit arts organizations, honing her expertise in operations management, strategic planning, and board development.
For the past 11 years she has worked in international education, where she has served as a classroom teacher, as well as faculty representative to boards, a member of Governance Committees, and as a sought-after leader in policy development, strategic planning, and organizational improvement initiatives. Additionally, as a member and chair of MSA visiting teams, Catherine offers a deep understanding of the accreditation process as both an internal candidate and an external observer.
In her work with CD Governance Partners, Catherine acts as a critical friend to create or clarify documentation, align policy to procedure, and build strong governance structures that will last.
OUR VALUES
What it means in practice.
Clarity
Make roles, authority, expectations, and decisions understandable.
Trust
Build confidence through preparation, candor, consistency, and appropriate process. No surprises.
Practicality
Translate principles into tools and habits a board can actually use. Documentation matters.
IN THEIR WORDS
“Christine brings a rare combination of precision, structure, and strategic insight. She is highly skilled at taking complex or fragmented information and turning it into clear, coherent systems that are both practical and sustainable. Her work on policy development and governance organization has significantly improved clarity, consistency, and efficiency in the Board's operations.”
— Dr. Zak Palsha - Superintendent, American Cooperative School of Tunis
“One of Christine’s standout strengths is her ability to design and organize resources that support school communities at scale. In our recent collaboration on the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) Small Schools Resource Hub, she played a key role in structuring and curating governance and operational materials in a way that is both accessible and highly functional for schools across the region. “
— Michael Emborsky - Former Regional Education Officer, US Department of Overseas Schools
“What stands out most about Christine is her ability to bridge perspectives - understanding governance from both the boardroom and the operational side. This gives her a unique and valuable lens that benefits any organization she works with.”
— Ann Wyman - Senior Partner & Head of Investor Engagement, AfricInvest Group
Every governance challenge has a context.
Start with the challenge as you see it, and we will explore what kind of support would be most useful.