"At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Mr. Roach, known for his strong leadership, demonstrated resilience and adaptability. His leadership was especially tested at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic... when he effectively guided the school... ensuring the continuity of education. By 2024, M. Roach had clearly transformed the school into a successful international institution. His strategic vision was evident... He created exchange programs and built strong global partnerships based on mutual understanding and cooperation. His leadership raised Rivermont from a small local day school to a well-known international boarding school, demonstrating his ability to plan and implement long-term global initiatives. While Rivermont thrived under his leadership, Mr. Roach also balanced the budget, maintained strong governance, and ensured financial sustainability... To me, Mr. Roach exemplifies charisma, effective management, leadership, and professionalism."
-Dr. Blanchard Onanga Ndjila
Rivermont Collegiate, English Department Chair
Max "...is a thoughtful and educated leader that placed education paramount at the school. He took over a school in deep financial troubles and made enormous strides to keep it solvent during difficult times. He started our very successful boarding program, which has contributed enormously to the culture of the school and is now one of the most prominent feathers in Rivermont's cap. Max is an experienced hand in educational leadership. He is willing to make difficult choices with conviction when required, and will also stand up for teachers to preserve a healthy academic and work environment for everyone."
-Dr. Scott Wellnitz
Rivermont Collegiate, Science Department Chair
"Max was the Upper School Director at Darlington School and one of the best I've ever worked with. His relationship with faculty and staff was very strong, and he put much effort into maintaining those relationships... It was a pleasure to work with Max, and I would recommend him and work with him again if our paths ever cross in the future!
Cynthia Reneau, M. Ed.
American School of Brasilia
"I had the privilege of working with Max [first as an employee, then as a trustee] during my time at Rivermont... Max is a thoughtful leader who brings both clarity and decisiveness to complex situations. Together, we strengthened Rivermont's enrollment strategy, building a more intentional funnel and expanding our global reach through 15-20 strategic partnerships. His commitment to growing a diverse student body was both genuine and impactful. Max is a forward-thinking educational leader, and I am grateful to have worked alongside him."
-Liz Nino
Executive Director of International Student Enrollment, Augustana College
"I had the pleasure of working with Max Roach... I can say confidently that he is an exceptional school leader. Max combines strong strategic vision with a highly practical approach, turning ideas into effective action. During our collaboration, including the COVID-19 period, he provided outstanding support for both Chinese and [other] international student programs, demonstrating a deep understanding of cross-cultural education."
-Sammy (Minghui) Liang
Academic Advisor, Curriculum Developer, K-12 Teaching and Learning, AP HG Teacher
"It is my pleasure to recommend Mr. Max Roach. I have worked closely with him for nearly three years since we connected in 2023, supporting international recruitment and the China Roadshow... With many years of experience in education, he shows clear thinking, stable communication, and reliable teamwork... Working with Mr. Roach has always been easy and pleasant. He is logical, responsible, organized, and dependable in every collaboration. I fully recommend him for his new educational consulting business."
-Tony Wang
GE Education, Senior Communications Specialist, International Education, School Partnerships and Events
"I'm pleased to recommend Max Roach, someone I have known for the past five years, first as a parent of Rivermont Collegiate, where my daughter attended, and then as a boss, when I became a Spanish teacher... He has great leadership skills, guiding staff and students from around the world with clarity and confidence... generating a smooth work environment with good communication. Max also had thoughtful, creative, and effective ideas for fundraisers, which paired with the ability to execute them... In addition, he handled financial responsibilities with care, ensuring resources were managed responsibly. Overall, Max Roach is a highly capable and trustworthy professional who will be an asset to any company that decides to work with him.
-Sandra Argüelles F.
Former Parent and Employee at Rivermont Collegiate
"Max deeply understands the importance of international education among schools and students. He has been instrumental in creating opportunities for students to engage with diverse cultures, broaden their global perspectives, and better prepare for college admissions with future academic success. He has cultivated strong relationships with schools and educational leaders around the world, enabling meaningful partnerships that enrich student learning and cross-cultural exchange."
-Sangmin Park
Rivermont Collegiate, Math Department Chair
"I had the privilege of working with Max first as an international partner collaborating with Rivermont Collegiate through the Confucius International Six Arts program, and later as a parent when my son Nate was a student there. Professionally, Max stands out as one of the most capable and steady educational leaders I've ever encountered. He excels at forging and nurturing meaningful international partnerships that enrich both sides, bringing global perspectives into the classroom while sharing best practices abroad. Under his guidance, Rivermont Collegiate demonstrated excellent leadership across the board: thoughtful governance, sound financial management, successful fundraising initiatives, strategic hiring, and ongoing training that built and retained exceptional faculty. These aren't just buzzwords. My son Nate graduated with both a Governor's Award and a Presidential Award and received a scholarship to McGill University, going on to become a quantum AI prodigy... What impresses me most is Max's reliability in a crisis. Whether handling everyday operational surprises or navigating the unprecedented disruptions of a global pandemic, he remains calm, decisive, and focused on what matters most: the student, the families, and the staff. He's the kind of leader who anticipates issues, thinks several steps ahead, and brings people together to solve them effectively. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Max Roach for his venture into international educational consulting. Any school or organization lucky enough to work with him will gain a partner who combines deep expertise, unwavering integrity, and a genuine commitment to excellence."
-Matt Veigh
Former US Operational Manager, Confucius International Six Arts Program
Former Parent and International Partner at Rivermont Collegiate