We facilitate peer groups, lead strategic projects, and build systems so leaders can focus on people, not paperwork.

Practical leadership support for cities, schools, and activity programs

Our promise is simple: we do what we say we’re going to do, on the timeline we agree to, for the price we set together. No surprises.

Who We Are

Neal Family Consulting is a father-and-son-led firm built on decades of leadership experience in city management and international education. We’ve sat in the same seats our clients sit in today — from running cities of more than 50,000 residents to directing athletics and activities programs at top international schools. We understand the challenges of guiding teams, managing change, and balancing competing priorities — because we’ve lived them.

We exist to give leaders a place to think out loud, compare notes with peers, and move important projects across the finish line. From city halls to international school campuses, we help organizations design systems that align with their mission and values while developing the people who make those systems thrive.

Our work is grounded in one simple principle: No surprises. Just good work, delivered with integrity.

Who We Serve

Our clients include:

  • City and county executives
  • Athletic and Activities Directors at international and independent schools
  • Nonprofit and association leaders seeking structured peer support

Whether your organization is large or small, public or private, we help you build a foundation for excellence, integrity, and growth.

What We Do

  1. Professional Peer Groups

Confidential, facilitator-led groups where leaders share ideas, compare strategies, and gain perspective from others who understand their work.

  1. Consulting Services

Custom solutions for schools, cities, and organizations that need help with strategic planning, handbook and policy development, or leadership team alignment.

  1. Workshops and Training

Interactive sessions (in-person or virtual) that develop leadership skills, strengthen team culture, and deliver practical results.

Our Story

Neal Family Consulting was founded by Scott Neal and Turner Neal — a father-and-son team who share a lifelong commitment to leadership, community, and service. Scott brings 37+ years of experience as a city manager, while Turner contributes deep expertise as an international Director of Athletics and Certified Master Athletic Administrator.

Their combined backgrounds in government and education revealed a common truth: leaders everywhere benefit from structured support, peer learning, and practical guidance rooted in real-world experience. Together, they created a consulting firm that blends two generations of leadership to help clients see both systems and people — building programs that last and developing leaders who thrive.

What began as a collaboration has grown into a mission-driven practice grounded in clarity, integrity, and meaningful partnership. Neal Family Consulting exists to help organizations design effective systems, strengthen culture, and move important work forward with confidence.

Our Values

Integrity

We keep our word and deliver on our commitments

Excellence

Every project reflects the quality we’d expect for our own organizations.

Mission Focus

Every recommendation aligns with your purpose, not ours.

Collaboration

The best outcomes come from working together.

Let’s talk about your group or project.
Tell us what kind of organization you lead and what outcomes you’re aiming for — we’ll follow up with a short call and a clear proposal.

Who We Are

Neal Family Consulting exists to give leaders a place to think out loud, compare notes with peers, and move important projects across the finish line.
We’ve sat in the seats our clients sit in today — from running cities of more than 50,000 residents to directing athletics and activities programs at top international schools.

Our work is grounded in one simple principle:

No surprises. Just good work, delivered with integrity.

Our Story

Neal Family Consulting began as a collaboration between Scott Neal and Turner Neal, a father-and-son team who share a lifelong passion for leadership and community.

After decades of experience in public service and international education, they recognized a common need — leaders everywhere benefit from structured support, peer learning, and practical guidance rooted in real-world experience.

That insight became the foundation of Neal Family Consulting, a firm that blends city management expertise and international school leadership to help clients design systems, strengthen culture, and develop people.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe consulting should feel collaborative, not corporate.
Every project starts with listening — understanding your goals, your culture, and what success looks like to you.

From there, we:

You get a clear process, transparent pricing, and no surprises.

Meet our team

Scott Neal​

Co-Founder

Scott brings more than 37 years of leadership experience in local government, serving as City Manager for several midwestern communities. His approach emphasizes clarity, accountability, and performance-based management.

He has facilitated peer groups and performance evaluations for senior leaders across the public sector, helping teams improve collaboration, align priorities, and deliver measurable results.

He has facilitated peer groups and performance evaluations for senior leaders across the public sector, helping teams improve collaboration, align priorities, and deliver measurable results.

“Scott has an unmatched ability to listen, synthesize, and turn ideas into actionable next steps.”

In addition to a long successful career in local government, Scott has been married to his lovely wife Deedee for over 40 years and is father to three adult sons; has three wonderful daughters in law and three smart grandchildren.

Career Highlights & Leadership Roles

  • B.S. in Economics, Iowa State University, 1985

  • Master of Public Administration (MPA), Iowa State University, 1988

  • Member, Chambers of Commerce in Mt. Pleasant (IA), Northfield (MN), Eden Prairie (MN), and Edina (MN)

  • Board Member (2023–2026), League of Minnesota Citie

  • Board Member (2004–present); Chair since 2012, South Metro Public Safety Training Facility

  • Board Member (2002–present), South West Cable Commission

  • Member (1996–present), Minnesota City/County Management Association

    • Board of Directors, 2018–2023

    • President, 2022

  • Member (1992–present), International City/County Management Association

Turner Neal​

Co-Founder

Turner Neal is an experienced Director of Athletics and Activities who has led and supported outstanding school programs in both the United States and China. Based in Shanghai with his wife, Hannah, a science educator at Shanghai American School, Turner has served in key leadership roles at Concordia International School Shanghai, Shanghai American School, and The International School of Minnesota.

Throughout his career, Turner has been committed to building mission-driven programs that emphasize integrity, continuous learning, and joy in hard work. As Co-Founder of Neal Family Consulting, he partners with schools and professional organizations around the world, supporting leaders through peer groups, consulting, and professional development.

A frequent conference presenter and NIAAA national faculty member, Turner combines traditional leadership practices with innovative tools like AI to help athletic directors and coaches create systems that empower people, streamline operations, and strengthen community.

Professional Highlights & Accomplishments

  • Neal Family Consulting – Provides consulting, leadership development, and peer group facilitation for Athletic Directors, schools, and city leadership professionals
  • Director of Athletics, Concordia International School Shanghai
  • Assistant Director of Athletics and Activities, Shanghai American School
  • Director of Athletics & HOD for PE & Health, The International School of Minnesota
  • Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA)
  • Certified International Athletic Administrator (CIAA)
  • Graduate Certificate in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration
  • NFHS Level 3 Coach
  • National Faculty Member, NIAAA
  • Co-Author of LTC 910 – Hiring, Retaining, and Developing International School Coaches
  • Workshop Presenter at major conferences including the National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC) and PHASE International School Conference
  • Specialist in AI integration for athletics programs, helping schools automate communication, evaluation, and data systems
  • BA in Exercise Science
  • MA in Organizational Leadership

Consulting & Training Experience with international schools across Asia, the Middle East, and North America

Why We Started Neal Family Consulting

Neal Family Consulting was created by Scott and Turner Neal — a father-and-son team with decades of experience in city management and international education. After leading teams and managing change in high-pressure environments, they saw a clear need: leaders everywhere benefit from community, clarity, and practical support grounded in real experience.

They started Neal Family Consulting to provide exactly that — a place for leaders to think out loud, learn from peers, and move meaningful projects forward with a trusted partner. By blending system-level expertise with people-centered leadership, the firm helps organizations design effective programs, strengthen culture, and develop the leaders who make their mission work.

Neal Family Consulting was created to deliver exactly that:

  • A place for leaders to grow through peer connection
  • A trusted partner for projects that matter
  • A family-led firm built on integrity and follow-through

Our Core Services

Professional Peer Groups

Leadership is stronger in community.
We organize and facilitate confidential peer groups that bring together professionals from similar roles to share challenges, exchange solutions, and grow together.

Each group is structured, consistent, and professionally led — providing a safe space to reflect, gain insight, and stay accountable.

Who it’s for:

What’s included:

Why it matters:

You don’t need to lead alone. Our peer groups provide clarity, connection, and confidence for leaders who want to make better decisions and build stronger teams.

Consulting Services

Practical guidance for complex challenges.
We help organizations identify opportunities, clarify priorities, and implement systems that support long-term success. Our consulting work is collaborative — we don’t hand you a binder and walk away. We partner with you to build solutions that fit your organization’s culture, mission, and capacity.

Areas of expertise:

Who it’s for:

What you can expect:

 A clear process, honest communication, and deliverables you can actually use.

Workshops & Training

Engage. Learn. Apply.
We design and deliver interactive workshops that develop leadership skills, improve team performance, and strengthen organizational culture.

Our sessions are available both virtually and in-person, and are customized to the audience — from city departments to school coaching staffs.

Popular workshop topics include:

Format options:

Outcome:

Leaders leave with actionable tools, stronger confidence, and a clear next step.

Our Core Services

Practical guidance for complex challenges.
We help organizations identify opportunities, clarify priorities, and implement systems that support long-term success. Our consulting work is collaborative — we don’t hand you a binder and walk away. We partner with you to build solutions that fit your organization’s culture, mission, and capacity.

Who it’s for:

Who it’s for:

What you can expect:

 A clear process, honest communication, and deliverables you can actually use.

Engage. Learn. Apply.
We design and deliver interactive workshops that develop leadership skills, improve team performance, and strengthen organizational culture.

Our sessions are available both virtually and in-person, and are customized to the audience — from city departments to school coaching staffs.

Popular workshop topics include:

Format options:

Outcome:

Leaders leave with actionable tools, stronger confidence, and a clear next step.

FACILITATED PEER GROUPS

Leadership Is Stronger in Community

Leading a city, school, or department can feel isolating — especially when the toughest challenges are the ones you can’t discuss publicly.
That’s why we created Neal Family Consulting Peer Groups: small, confidential communities where experienced professionals share ideas, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections that last.

Each group is professionally facilitated, structured around real issues, and designed to help leaders move from reflection to action.

Each group is built around shared roles, responsibilities, and challenges — ensuring that every conversation is relevant and practical.

What are the peer groups

structured agenda

confidential setting

professional facilitator

Follow-up actions

Think other touch your board of adviser, made up of people who understand your world— and who want to see yo succeed.

How It Works

Apply or Inquire

Fill out a short interest form telling us about your role and organization.

Placement

We’ll connect with you to determine your best-fit group based on your goals.

Growth

Participants gain fresh perspectives, practical tools, and insights in a supportive engagement process.

Engagement

Groups meet monthly or quarterly (virtually or in person), guided by a Neal Family Consulting facilitator

What Members Gain

Connection

Perspective

Accountability

Development

Membership Details

Meeting Format
2–3 hour virtual or in-person sessions

Professionally facilitated discussions and case issues

Every participant gains a confidential dialogue space with trusted peers.

How to Join

1. Submit Interest Form
Tell us about your current role and what you’re hoping to gain.

2. Meet Your Facilitator
We’ll discuss your goals and find the right group for you.

Leadership Is Stronger in Community

Helping Schools Build Stronger Programs and Stronger People

Great athletics and activities programs don’t just happen — they’re built through intentional systems, clear communication, and well-supported coaches and advisors.

At Neal Family Consulting, we created Peer Groups that reflect each school’s mission, develop their coaches, and engage their teams.

What We Offer

Program & Handbook Development

Every successful program starts with a shared understanding of expectations, values, and processes.

We help schools create comprehensive, revised, and printed handbooks for students, staff, and activity leaders — ensuring eligibility, great conduct, safety, and evaluation procedures.

Deliverables may include:

  • Athletics or Activities Handbooks (Student, Coach, and Instructor versions)

  • Policies aligned across divisions and departments

  • Appendices for emergency plans, evaluations, and agreements

  • Templates for professional development, coaching specializations, and communication

“Our goal is to help schools treat coaching as an extension of teaching — structured, purposeful, and values-driven.”

Strategic Program Consulting

We partner with Athletics and Activities Directors to evaluate, strengthen, and align their programs.

Areas of focus include:

  • Strategic planning for multi-year development

  • Communication systems for reducing confusion and improving alignment

  • Data-driven decision-making for scheduling, facilities, and participation

Integrating Athletics Administration

We partner with Athletics and Activities Directors in:

  • K–12 institutions with multi-division athletics programs

  • Private clubs or co-curricular departments

 

How We Work

Every engagement begins with listening — understanding your school’s mission, culture, and current systems.

Our process includes:

  • Assessment of faculty evaluations and feedback

  • Writing practical summaries and recommendations

  • Generating schedules, rosters, and communication templates

  • Automating data collection for participation and eligibility

Client Impact

“Ready to strengthen your program? Let’s talk about how Neal Family Consulting can help build a culture that supports coaches, respects student balance, and aligns with school values.”
Athletic Director, International School, Asia

Ready to Strengthen Your Program?

Let’s talk about how Neal Family Consulting can help you build a culture that supports strong coaches, inspired students, and alignment with your school’s mission.

City & Public Sector Consulting

Our Philosophy

We believe great public leadership comes down to three things: clarity, accountability, and communication. That’s why every project we take on is grounded in collaboration and built to deliver long-term value — not just another report on the shelf. Our promise is simple: We’ll do what we say we’re going to do, on the timeline we agree to, for the price we set together. No surprises.

What We Offer

1. Performance Management & Executive Evaluation

We design and facilitate clear, fair, and goal-based performance evaluation processes for city managers, administrators, and department heads.
Our approach builds trust between governing bodies and executives.

Support may include:

  • Facilitated goal-setting and alignment sessions

  • Annual and mid-year evaluation tools

  • Performance criteria development

  • Structured feedback templates and documentation

“Our process keeps the focus on outcomes, communication, and continuous improvement — not politics.”

3. Organizational Analysis

We conduct community and county reviews to highlight strengths in:

  • Department structure and staffing

  • Communication and workflow systems

  • Leadership alignment and accountability

  • Operational efficiency and culture

Who We Work With

  • City managers, administrators, and department heads
  • City councils and county boards
  • Professional associations and regional leadership groups

We work with communities of all sizes — from growing suburban cities to well-established municipalities — across the Midwest and beyond.

2. Meeting & Retreat Facilitation

We help city councils, executive teams, and boards have the right conversations — the ones that set direction and build unity.

Common projects include:

  •         Council or board goal-setting retreats
  •         Strategic planning workshops
  •         Department head team-building sessions
  •         Public input facilitation

Whether it’s a one-day retreat or an ongoing engagement, we manage the structure, timing, and follow-up so leaders can focus on participation, not process.

4. Executive Search Support

For cities and counties seeking the right fit in leadership, we offer executive search services rooted in public-sector experience.

Our process includes:

  •         Candidate profiling and position analysis
  •         Job description refinement
  •         Outreach and candidate screening
  •         Interview facilitation and evaluation scoring

Because we’ve served in these roles ourselves, we know what successful leadership looks like — and how to identify it.

Client Impact

Ready to strengthen your city’s leadership and performance?
Let’s schedule a short call to discuss your goals and explore how we can help.

“Scott’s ability to listen, lead, and manage a realistic, results-oriented process made our council retreat one of the most productive we’ve ever had.”
Mayor, Midwest City

“The performance review process they designed gave our board and executive team a shared sense of purpose.”
Council Chair, Minnesota

Contact Instructions

Use the form below to tell us a little about yourself and what kind of support you’re looking for.
We’ll respond within two business days to schedule a short introductory call.

If you prefer, you can also reach us directly at:
📧 info@nealfamilyconsulting.com

    GET IN TOUCH








    Helping Leaders Build Systems That Work and Teams That Thrive

    Every organization faces moments when leadership feels heavy — when systems need to be improved, communication has to get clearer, or teams need direction.
    That’s where Neal Family Consulting comes in.

    We combine decades of experience in city management, school leadership, and organizational consulting to help our clients operate more effectively.
    Our services are practical, personal, and built for leaders who value integrity, collaboration, and results.