At a Dinner Business Meeting of the Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA) on January 31, 2007 in La Jolla, California, the First Annual "ISPA Gem Award" was given to Leslie S. Goldberg, M.Ed., CEP and President of Leslie S. Goldberg & Associates LLC and the Goldberg Center for Educational Planning with offices in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

This award was given at the ISPA Dinner Meeting attended by 53 Educational Consultants, ISPA Members and friends of ISPA. An Educational Consultant, other Professional, a School or a Program receives the "ISPA Gem Award" for selfless service, professionalism, leadership and compassion.

The work and commitment of Leslie S. Goldberg is well known to those in the field of therapeutic schools and programs for private pay, special needs young people. Leslie is an Educational Consultant who is experienced, compassionate, positive and forward thinking and has led one of the largest Educational Consulting practices in the US. For more than 20 years.

Andy Anderson, Managing Partner of ISPA, while presenting the award noted that many know Leslie S. Goldberg, the Ed Consultant, but "I know her as an Ed Consultant and as one of the most loyal, caring, compassionate and strong human beings I have ever met."

Leslie was nearly speechless and could only say that she was very thankful for being given the First ISPA Gem Award.

Anderson noted, "Leslie has done much for our industry, but she has also done much for me as a person, friend and fellow professional. When I began Andy Anderson Consulting (AAC) and ISPA two years ago, Leslie was one of my first supporters and encouraged me to make ISPA a reality. She caught the vision of what I was working toward, a more competitive and level playing field. Leslie knew I believed in quality service and ethical marketing practices."

Anderson stated that, "She stood by me as visionary professional with her experienced, practiced eye and knowledge of our business. I was very ill at the time and found out quickly who my true professional colleagues were, those I could count on and those who would cut and run. Leslie was always there for me supporting and encouraging me to succeed, caring about my health and giving me confidence."

Leslie S. Goldberg is a "Gem" of a person and professional and someone this industry is fortunate to have in a leadership role. It is fitting that the "First Annual ISPA Gem Award" is awarded to Leslie S. Goldberg, consummate professional, colleague and friend.