2026 SAIS Annual Conference

2:00pm EDT

Accreditation WorkshopPat Cuneo • Jo Stoltz Navigating Meridian: SAIS's Regional Benchmarking Tool for SchoolsSheri Burkeen

3:15pm EDT

SAIS 101 for New Members & First-Time AttendeesJill McKenzie

4:30pm EDT

Designing Future-Ready Learning TodayAnn Marsh Rutledge Mapping the Parent JourneyMicah Fox • Clarity Sustaining Faculty Motivation & EngagementElizabeth Maglio The Heads ForumBrett Jacobsen

6:00pm EDT

ReceptionFLIK Independent School Dining

8:00am EDT

BreakfastWinkler Group

9:00am EDT

Keynote: Innovation-ishTessa Forshaw • ISM

10:00am EDT

BreakJ&J Contractors

10:30am EDT

2026-27 National and Regional Financial Aid TrendsJackson Marvel From Avoidance to Action: A Practical Framework for Leading Difficult Conversations in Independent SchoolsTosha Arriola Growing Leaders From Within: Cultivating Leadership Through IntentionalityLauren Rodgers Leading Campaigns and Construction Successfully: Avoiding the Risks and Reaping the Rewards of Campus DevelopmentKeith Evans Strategic Plans Don't Fund ThemselvesPeter Baron • Mattingly Messina Student-Centered Schedule Design: Aligning Time With LearningAndrew Taylor Teaching Well as AI Reshapes ClassroomsDaniel Forrester The Resistance Paradox: Approaches to Growth, Evaluation, and FeedbackIsaiah Noreiga • Ryan Burke

11:45am EDT

Community & Conversation LunchLands' End School Outfitters

1:00pm EDT

Actionable Data: Prioritizing Student and Educator Well-BeingNina Kumar • Meredith Miller HR Compliance in Action: Master the Tricky SituationsMonica Javia I Have This Data; Now What?Lisa Hà • Randie Benedict Mentoring: Build a Sense of Belonging and PurposeKathleen Brewer • Allyson McCloud • Catherine Beck Strengthening Your Financial Foundation: Endowments as Engines of Growth & SustainabilityJoshua Ireland Symbols, Strategy, and School Spirit: Durham Academy's RebrandLeslie Traba When AI Acts: Redesigning Learning and AssessmentLiz Helfant • Connie White World & Work Ready: Diploma DistinctionsAndrew Bishop

2:00pm EDT

BreakThe Education Group

2:30pm EDT

Data Fluency in the Age of AICindy Blackburn Independent Schools Legal Update: What's New and What's NextJennifer Carroll • Ilanit Fischler Leading Through the MetacrisisBrent Kaneft Relationships First: Aligning Leadership, Faculty, and FamiliesErin Chadwick • Hunter Chadwick Rigor, Regulation, and the Science of EngagementRachael Zaher The Invisible Handbook: Decoding the Unwritten Rules of School CultureAmir Farokhi • Natalie Pitchford What a Capital Campaign Is Really Asking of Your SchoolTrey Boden Why Trustees Serve and How Leaders Should RespondDamian Kavanagh

3:30pm EDT

4:00pm EDT

Keynote: Prosper, Prepare, ProtectRebecca Winthrop • Subbey

5:00pm EDT

ReceptionFisher Phillips

8:30pm EDT

8:00am EDT

BreakfastCaptivated Health / Borislow Insurance

9:00am EDT

Keynote: Leadership UnblockedMuriel Wilkins

10:00am EDT

10:30am EDT

Building Culture and Retention Through Employee Wellness ProgrammingAnne Glosky • Katelyn Williams Building High Performance Leadership MetabolismMoira Kelly Cultivating Belonging in the Era of AIDouglas Beam Leading Schoolwide AI Through Strategic Task Force DesignJessie Jung • Karin Montini Leverage Your Professional Growth System to Drive RetentionMelissa Fast • Hilary Robinson • Katie Donahue Thinking About Thinking: Unlocking Student Autonomy Through SRLAbigail Shaheen • Pranjoli Saletore Tying Outcomes to the Independent School Value PropositionCraig Tredenick • Jason Lasnetski Using Operational AI to Strengthen Institutional AdvancementSam Geisler • Andrew Greene

11:30am EDT

12:00pm EDT

Accreditation Chair TrainingPat Cuneo • Jo Stoltz