Faithful Leadership. Proven Growth.
Dave Buckles builds with purpose and clarity.
Paradox Consultants Group are trusted Christian school consultants helping K–12 schools thrive through faith-driven strategy. With more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning education, construction, and organizational development, Dave Buckles has earned a reputation for building with both excellence and intention. As the founder of Paradox Consultants Group, Dave combines a heart for Christian education with a deep understanding of strategy, operations, and mission alignment. His leadership philosophy is simple: clarity of vision, stewardship of resources, and unwavering faith in God’s purpose for each institution.
At Foundation Academy, Dave led one of Central Florida’s most compelling school transformations, growing enrollment from 565 to over 1,450 students, tripling the budget to $25 million, and expanding from one to three campuses. Through strategic planning, leadership coaching, and campus development, he revitalized a school on the brink and turned it into a thriving, mission-driven institution. His work now helps Christian schools across the nation discover similar clarity, health, and long-term impact.
Whether guiding executive teams through coaching and assessment or leading multi-million dollar expansion efforts, Dave builds more than just plans, he builds lasting legacies rooted in purpose, people, and faith.
The Story Behind Paradox Consultants Group
Paradox Consultants Group was born from Dave Buckles’ personal journey of transforming a struggling Christian school into a thriving, mission-driven institution. After experiencing firsthand the challenges school leaders face, and the power of strategic clarity to overcome them, Dave felt called to help others do the same. Paradox exists to come alongside Christian schools with a unique blend of real-world experience, faith-based leadership, and proven frameworks that turn vision into sustainable growth.
Our Core Values
How we lead, serve, and grow.
Christ-Centered in All We Do
Every strategy starts with a foundation of faith.
Our work at Paradox Consultants Group is grounded in Biblical truth, and every decision we help school leaders make is filtered through a Gospel-centered lens. Whether it’s guiding a strategic roadmap or coaching a leadership team, our ultimate goal is to honor Christ and help Christian schools fulfill their Kingdom calling.
At Paradox Consultants Group, we don’t separate spiritual formation from leadership development—they go hand in hand. By prioritizing faith in every engagement, we help schools stay aligned with their mission, protect their witness, and foster environments where students, staff, and leaders can thrive spiritually as well as academically.
Lead with Vision, Not Confusion
Schools thrive when direction is clear and aligned.
One of the greatest challenges Christian schools face is not a lack of passion—but a lack of clarity. Paradox exists to help leaders identify their true north, define what success looks like, and map out how to get there. Through strategic planning, mission refinement, and stakeholder collaboration, we help schools turn visionary thinking into focused action.
Clarity doesn’t just help teams make better decisions—it reduces conflict, increases confidence, and fosters unity across the organization. When your team knows where it’s going and why it matters, you can lead with confidence and build momentum that lasts.
Mission-Driven Stewardship
Wise management for long-term impact.
Stewardship means more than balancing a budget—it’s about using every dollar, square foot, and leadership moment to fulfill your God-given mission. We help schools create financial models that are both sustainable and scalable, ensuring that your vision is not just inspiring but fully funded.
From tuition modeling to capital campaign strategies, we partner with schools to make intentional, informed decisions that honor God and serve their communities well. Stewardship is a discipline, and when practiced faithfully, it becomes a catalyst for growth and generational impact.
Leaders Grow the School
Strong schools are built on strong leadership teams.
Great leadership doesn’t happen by accident. Paradox offers leadership coaching and development services grounded in real-world experience and data-driven insight. Using tools like the Harrison Assessment, we help identify blind spots, unlock strengths, and equip teams to lead with clarity, humility, and conviction.
We believe in developing the entire leadership team. Whether you’re mentoring new department heads or preparing for succession planning, we provide the structure, support, and insight to build a culture of courageous, Christ-like leadership.
Built on Experience
Trust is built through transparency and proven results.
Paradox is not built on theories, it is built on the tested leadership of Dave Buckles and the transformation he led at Foundation Academy. From enrollment growth to campus expansion and financial turnaround, Dave’s journey reflects what’s possible when bold vision meets principled execution.
Paradox brings that same honesty and deep expertise to every client relationship. We don’t overpromise or offer quick fixes—instead, we walk with you through real challenges and deliver lasting solutions with integrity, humility, and excellence. You can count on us to say what’s true and do what’s right.
From Vision to Execution
Strategy means nothing if it stays on paper.
Too many schools have half-written strategic plans collecting dust. At Paradox, we are passionate about implementation—about turning ideas into results. Our services don’t end after a workshop. We stay engaged through coaching, support, and accountability to help your team bring the plan to life.
Excellence isn’t about perfection; it’s about intentionality. From construction oversight to curriculum innovation, we walk with you step by step to ensure that what you build reflects your mission and meets the highest standards. When done well, excellence becomes a testimony to the One we serve.
Featured Partners
