2026 SAIS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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11:00am EDT

Sponsor Set-Up

Sunday October 4, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT

View the booth diagram here.

LOAD IN: Please note the glass doors along Carter Street in the front of the convention center may be used for load in of hand carried items or if using a soft-sided wagon (SAIS has these available to borrow if needed). Any items requiring a dolly or metal/other cart must be done via the loading dock behind the convention center.

PACKAGES: Packages shipped in advance to the convention center will be at your booth when you arrive on Sunday at 11:00 AM. Contact an SAIS team member on-site if you are missing a package and have your shipping/tracking information available.

Sunday October 4, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Prefunction

1:45pm EDT

Registration Open

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:45pm - 7:00pm EDT

Prefunction

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:45pm - 7:00pm EDT
Prefunction

1:45pm EDT

Connections Lounge

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:45pm - 7:00pm EDT

Room 2

Good conversations happen here. Step inside to connect with someone new, continue a chat, exchange ideas, or simply take a break. Meet, talk, think, recharge, and see where the conversation leads.

While you’re here, strike a pose! Stop by the photo booth, snap a pic with friends old and new, and share it on social. Be sure to tag @saisnews so we can join the fun!

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:45pm - 7:00pm EDT
Room 2

Networking

1:45pm EDT

Sponsor Booths Open

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:45pm - 7:00pm EDT

Prefunction

View the booth diagram here.

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:45pm - 7:00pm EDT
Prefunction

2:00pm EDT

Accreditation Workshop

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Plaza C

Are you a team member responsible for administering your school’s upcoming accreditation process? This workshop includes an overview of the accreditation process and offers the opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting.

Pre-registration required. Add this workshop when registering for the annual conference. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Speakers

Pat Cuneo

Director of Accreditation, SAIS

Pat joined the SAIS staff in July 2023. He previously served as the director of academic affairs at Athens Academy in Athens, GA, since 2004. Prior to that he served as English department chair, teacher, and coach at The Steward School in Richmond, VA, from 1996 until 2004. Pat earned... Read More →

Jo Stoltz

Assistant Director of Accreditation, SAIS

Jo Stoltz joined the SAIS staff in July 2025 as assistant director of accreditation. She previously served at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, AR, from 1997 to 2025. During her tenure, she taught middle and upper school math, served as the math department chair, and was... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Plaza C

Workshop, Accreditation

2:00pm EDT

Navigating Meridian

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Room 9-10

Navigating Meridian: SAIS's Regional Benchmarking Tool for Schools

National datasets don't always reflect the realities of our region, and, for nearly half of SAIS member schools, access to truly comparable data has been a persistent gap. Meridian changes that.

Developed exclusively for SAIS member schools, Meridian is a regional benchmarking platform built to give school leaders a shared point of orientation and direction. Explore regional compensation data across teacher and administrator roles. Help your board assess governance organization in a regional context. Learn how to configure comparisons by size, school type, operating budget, and more.

This session will present preliminary insights from the 2026–27 data collection, with an early look at administrator compensation, tuition remission, and board structure.

Meridian isn't just a data tool; it's a resource built on the collective network of SAIS member schools. Whether you're preparing for a compensation review, a board self-study, or a strategic planning process, Meridian gives your school a reliable, regionally grounded foundation for comparison, conversation, and confidence.

Speakers

Sheri Burkeen

Director of Research & Resources, SAIS

Sheri joined the SAIS staff as the director of professional development in June 2017 and became the director of research and resources in 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 9-10

Workshop

2:00pm EDT

Roundtable: PreK-8 Heads

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Room 4

A dedicated space for heads of PreK-8 schools to discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of the PreK-8 model.

Speakers

Chris Bertha

Head of School, Hancock Day School

Chris Bertha serves as head of school at Hancock Day School in Savannah, GA. He is a career educator with over 20 years of experience teaching, advising, coaching, and leading in independent and charter schools. Chris joined the Hancock community in 2024.

Between 2013 and 2024, C... Read More →

Maria Croley Madden

Head of School, St. Martin's Episcopal School

Maria Croley Madden is the head of St. Martin’s Episcopal School, Atlanta, GA. She is a proud product of independent schools and an alum of The Walker School in Marietta, GA, where she began her career in education more than 20 years ago.

Prior to joining St. Martin’s in 2023, Mrs. Madden served as middle school head at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, SC, and at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA, from 2007-2020 in a variety of leadership roles, including as dean of student life, classroom teacher, and... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 4

Workshop

3:15pm EDT

SAIS 101

Sunday October 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT

Room 7-8

Kick off your experience with a brief overview of SAIS, a chance to meet other attendees, and practical tips to make the most of your conference. Content is geared toward those new to SAIS, but all are welcome.

Speakers

Matt Scully

Director of Digital Integration & Innovation, Providence Day School

Matt is fascinated by the ever-evolving world of teaching and learning. He has spent the last 26 years working at Providence Day School supporting faculty, staff, and students.

Jill McKenzie

Member Services Manager, SAIS

Jill joined the SAIS staff in July 2023. She has more than 20 years of association management experience. Most recently she served as the manager of membership and sponsorship for the Construction Owners Association of America. Jill graduated from the University of Mary Washington... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 7-8

Networking

4:00pm EDT

Break

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Prefunction

Welcome! The conference is officially underway. Reconnect with familiar faces, welcome new ones, and enjoy the energy of being together. Take time to catch up, make connections, and visit sponsor booths to discover resources and services that could make a difference for your school.

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Prefunction

Networking

4:30pm EDT

Designing Future-Ready Learning Today

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

Plaza A

Your students’ learning pathways are not limited to time, place, or space. The question for schools is how we intentionally set the conditions today for deep and transferable learning in an evolving educational landscape. Engage with the SAIS Future Ready Teaching & Learning Framework, centered on the student competencies of creative reasoning, relational intelligence, and empowered action and accelerated by the cross-cutting themes of digital literacy and well-being. Examine how a school’s systems and instructional practices can support meaningful learning and walk away with practical examples from SAIS Innovation Fellows.

Speakers

Stephanie Griffin

Assistant Head of School for Academics, Trinity Episcopal School

Stephanie Griffin is the assistant head of school for academics at Trinity Episcopal School, where she also teaches a social action seminar, a class committed to developing the next civically engaged leaders and advocates. She has spent almost two decades doing what independent school... Read More →

Liz Helfant

Associate Head for Academic Affairs, Ravenscroft

Elizabeth Helfant serves as the associate head for academic affairs at Ravenscroft, following a distinguished 25-year tenure at MICDS. A leader in educational innovation, Elizabeth frequently presents at prominent national and international conferences, including NAIS, SAIS, NCAIS... Read More →

Doug Magee

Head of Middle School, Ensworth School

Dr. Doug Magee is head of middle school at Ensworth School in Nashville,TN, where he leads a dynamic grades 6-8 program focused on academic excellence, student belonging, and meaningful learning beyond the classroom. During his tenure, he has guided initiatives in faculty growth and... Read More →

Ann Marsh Rutledge

Director of Strategic Design & Innovation, SAIS

Ann Marsh joined the SAIS staff in 2025. She previously served as the executive director of Mount Vernon Ventures, where she led Educational Consulting and Research & Development. Over the course of her 15 plus years in education, she has taught and tutored students in grades PK through... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Plaza A

The Exchange, Teaching & Learning

4:30pm EDT

Mapping the Parent Journey

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

Room 3

Your parent community remembers less about the beginning or end of their experience and more about the journey in between – the decisions they make, the emotions they feel, and the impact your school has along the way. In this interactive session, work through a journey mapping methodology and process to uncover the key moments that shape how families experience your school. Engaging with other leaders, utilize these insights to reimagine how your communication strategies, marketing efforts, fundraising campaigns, and volunteer engagement can improve or scale the school’s parent partnership.

Speakers

Micah Fox

Solutions Advisor, Tassel

Micah Fox serves as a solutions adviser at Tassel™, where he partners with independent and faith-based schools to build enrollment strategies that attract, recruit, and retain right-fit families. With a collaborative approach and a deep understanding of the enrollment landscape... Read More →

Sponsors

Clarity

The Clarity platform helps K-12 private schools attract, enroll, and retain today’s families. Magic for schools, magic for families, and guided by professionals like you.

CONTACT: Ning Yeoh, Field Marketing & Events Manager, [email protected]

SPONSORING: Sunday Exchange Se... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Room 3

The Exchange, Brand & Communication

4:30pm EDT

Sustaining Faculty Motivation & Engagement

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

Room 6

Your teachers love the mission and the work and care deeply about students and community. But many are quietly asking, “Can I keep doing this and have a life?” In this session, go deeper with the research and data collected from SAIS motivation & engagement surveys and focus groups. Unpack what's driving burnout and attrition in our schools. Bring your toughest challenges into the conversation and learn from colleagues who are finding real solutions around workload, compensation, and sustainable career pathways.

Speakers

Kendra Varnell

Associate Head of School for Student Affairs, Ravenscroft

Kendra Varnell is the associate head of school for student affairs at Ravenscroft School and is a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience working in educational and clinical settings. Kendra graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree in... Read More →

Jessica Sant

Associate Head of School, The Lovett School

Jessica Sant serves as associate head of school at The Lovett School in Atlanta, where she oversees admission and enrollment, communications, chaplains, school counseling, belonging, parent engagement, and institutional research. She began her career in college admission at the University... Read More →

Elizabeth Maglio

Director of Professional Learning, SAIS

Elizabeth joined the SAIS team in July 2021. She began her career in education in 2005 as a leadership program faculty advisor for middle school students at Envision EMI in Washington, D.C. She continued there as a program coordinator and professional development manager. In 2012... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Room 6

The Exchange, Community & Connection

4:30pm EDT

The Heads Forum: 4 Questions Shaping Independent School Education

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

Ballroom

Designed exclusively for heads and trustees, this forum examines SAIS sectorwide data and emerging signals shaping the independent school landscape. Together, explore what these signals reveal about the pressures, opportunities, and choices facing heads and boards today. The session also offers space to step back from daily demands, connect with peers who understand the work, reflect on the broader challenges shaping our schools, and leave with sharper insights to guide governance conversations and strategic priorities.

Speakers

Brett Jacobsen

President, SAIS

Brett joined the SAIS team in July 2024, having most recently served as the chief executive officer at The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta. Since joining SAIS, he has overseen the launch of the Governance Health Index; enhanced data and benchmarking, including monthly pulse surveys... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Ballroom

The Exchange, Leadership & Governance

6:00pm EDT

Reception

Sunday October 4, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

Prefunction

Settle in, raise a glass, and enjoy the buzz of being together. Reconnect with colleagues, strike up a new conversation, and make the rounds with our sponsors to discover services, ideas, and resources that could be a great fit for your school. This is your time to mingle, explore, and enjoy the evening.

Sponsored by FLIK Independent School Dining

Sponsors

FLIK Independent School Dining

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time... Read More →

Sunday October 4, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Prefunction

Networking

11:00am EDT

1:45pm EDT

1:45pm EDT

1:45pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

4:00pm EDT

4:30pm EDT

4:30pm EDT

4:30pm EDT

4:30pm EDT

6:00pm EDT

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