2026 SAIS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

2:00pm EDT

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

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.

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

Workshop, Accreditation

2:00pm EDT

Navigating Meridian: SAIS's Regional Benchmarking Tool for Schools

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

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...
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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

Workshop

3:15pm EDT

SAIS 101 for New Members & First-Time Attendees

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

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

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

Networking

4:30pm EDT

Designing Future-Ready Learning Today

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

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...
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Speakers

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

The Exchange, Teaching & Learning

4:30pm EDT

Mapping the Parent Journey

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

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...
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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 Session... Read More →

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

The Exchange, Brand & Communication

4:30pm EDT

Sustaining Faculty Motivation & Engagement

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

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...
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Speakers

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

The Exchange, Community & Connection

4:30pm EDT

The Heads Forum

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

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...
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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

The Exchange, Leadership & Governance

6:00pm EDT

Reception

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

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

Networking

8:00am EDT

Breakfast

Monday October 5, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Sponsors

Winkler Group

The Winkler Group is a national philanthropic consulting firm that serves independent schools nationwide through capital campaigns, strategic planning, and hands-on fundraising counsel.

CONTACT: Jessica Browning, Principal & EVP, [email protected]

SPONSORING: Monday Breakfast... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Networking

9:00am EDT

Keynote: Innovation-ish

Monday October 5, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Speakers

Tessa Forshaw

Co-Founder, Next Level Lab

Tessa Forsaw is a cognitive scientist and one of the co-founders of the Next Level Lab. She leads the lab’s research on learning transfer, creative cognition, learning in the flow of work, and AI.

Tessa teaches design thinking, creativity, and innovation at the Harvard Innovatio... Read More →

Sponsors

ISM

ISM is dedicated to advancing school leadership to enrich the student experience. Rely on 45+ years of research, knowledge, and experience to strengthen your private school’s strategies and deliver your mission with excellence. Choose from 40+ virtual and in-person workshops and... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Keynote

10:00am EDT

Break

Monday October 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Sponsors

J&J Contractors

J&J Contractors, Inc. is a commercial, general contractor located in Chattanooga, TN. Licensed in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, and servicing an area up to 1 1/2 hour drive from Chattanooga, J&J has five areas of expertise we've focused on since our incorporation in 1978. Those... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Networking

10:30am EDT

2026-27 National and Regional Financial Aid Trends

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Independent schools face a rapidly shifting financial aid landscape. Using data from over 160,000 Clarity applications and more than 1,250 schools, we will analyze trends in family financial profiles and demonstrated-need patterns both nationally and within SAIS boundaries. Together, we will explore how financial aid methodology adjustments have a direct and measurable impact on awards,...
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Speakers

Jackson Marvel

Client Success Manager, Clarity

Jackson has served as a client success manager at Clarity since the summer of 2023, where he partners with a broad portfolio of schools to help them achieve their financial aid goals and objectives. Prior to joining Clarity, Jackson spent 18 years at The Hotchkiss School, including... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

10:30am EDT

From Avoidance to Action: A Practical Framework for Leading Difficult Conversations in Independent Schools

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

School leaders and educators often face challenging conversations but may struggle with avoidance or uncertainty. This interactive session presents a practical, three-step framework for approaching difficult dialogues with confidence and clarity. Participants will engage in guided practice using real-world scenarios common in independent schools, developing strategies for preparation,...
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Speakers

Tosha Arriola

Head of Upper School, Providence Day School

Tosha Arriola is a mission-driven educational leader currently serving as head of upper school at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC. She oversees a dynamic learning community of nearly 800 students and more than 100 faculty and staff, guiding strategic initiatives that advance... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

10:30am EDT

Growing Leaders From Within: Cultivating Leadership Through Intentionality

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Strong schools are built on strong leadership, and that starts with the people already in your building. Explore how school leaders can intentionally develop their teachers' leadership capacity through three key strategies: building authentic relationships, valuing teachers' time, and truly knowing your people. Gain practical ideas to spark leadership interest, create safe spaces for growth, and...
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Speakers

Lauren Rodgers

Director of Upper School Curriculum and Instruction, UMS-Wright Preparatory School

Lauren Rodgers is a dedicated educator with fourteen years of experience in the field of education. She earned her degree in English Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama. Throughout her... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

10:30am EDT

Leading Campaigns and Construction Successfully: Avoiding the Risks and Reaping the Rewards of Campus Development

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Independent schools that undertake campus capital improvements face both opportunities and risks. A capital campaign and resulting construction can elevate your mission or compromise your future. This session will offer an integrated, sequenced framework designed to reduce risk and strengthen decision-making while ensuring that a campus improvement initiative builds brand equity, financial...
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Speakers

Keith Evans

President (Retired), The Westminster Schools

Keith Evans retired from Westminster Schools in 2026 after 12 years as president. Prior to that role, he was the head of school at Collegiate School in Richmond, VA, for 15 years. In both settings, he led a series of campaigns and campus development initiatives that spanned a range... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

10:30am EDT

Strategic Plans Don't Fund Themselves

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Independent schools regularly adopt ambitious strategic plans that include new programs, facilities, initiatives, and expanded financial aid. But many schools discover too late that the plan didn’t include a realistic strategy for funding those priorities.This session explores the gap between strategic ambition and financial sustainability. Designed for heads of school, trustees, and senior...
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Speakers

Peter Baron

Founder, MoonshotOS

Peter Baron is a Certified Top Coach™ and founder of MoonshotOS, a strategy and leadership consultancy serving independent school leaders.

With over 20 years of experience in the independent school space, Peter works with heads of school, senior administrators, and boards to str... Read More →

Mattingly Messina

Founder, Throughline

Mattingly Messina is the founder of Throughline, a consultancy that puts relationships at the center of philanthropy.

His career spans development, strategic communications, and high-stakes negotiations. As a legal negotiator for Google, he built trust with counterparts across civil and regulatory jurisdictions, reinforcing his belief that relationships are the most durable currency in leadership... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Brand & Communication

10:30am EDT

Student-Centered Schedule Design: Aligning Time With Learning

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Reframe schedule design as a strategic and pedagogical decision rather than a logistical one. Examine how time structures influence attention, cognitive load, memory, transitions, and student well-being and whether your current schedule supports coverage or durable learning. Explore research-informed principles for student-centered scheduling: lesson length, distribution of cognitive demand,...
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Speakers

Andrew Taylor

Senior Consultant, The 5Rs Partnership

Dr. Andrew Taylor B.A., B.App.Sc., M.A.(Dist.), Ed.D. is a senior consultant at The 5Rs Partnership, with over 30 years of educational leadership experience across the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. He has served as admission director, division head, and head of school... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

10:30am EDT

Teaching Well as AI Reshapes Classrooms

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Name how everyday classroom practice is already changing as AI becomes a routine part of student work. Center the real questions educators are wrestling with now: how to design assignments that still demand thinking, how to read and respond to student work when AI support is present, and how to hold onto clarity and rigor as familiar classroom routines begin to shift.Anchor the conversation in...
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Speakers

Daniel Forrester

Director of Technology Integration, Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Daniel Forrester has been in education for over 20 years across both public and private school settings. He has taught math and engineering, served as a PK-12 curriculum director of STEAM, and helped launch several academic programs at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

10:30am EDT

The Resistance Paradox: Approaches to Growth, Evaluation, and Feedback

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

In schools, we often talk about resistance as if it lives in someone else or other people are getting in the way. In our experience, resistance reveals something deeper about own our fears, assumptions, and relationship to control as leaders. In this session, we will explore resistance not as a problem to overcome, but as information about trust, culture, and alignment. Together we will consider...
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Speakers

Isaiah Noreiga

Partner, Leadership + Design

Isaiah Noriega is a partner at Leadership + Design. He is an experienced educator, counselor, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioner with a passion for student well-being and community building. Isaiah recently served as dean of community and well-being, chief diversity... Read More →

Ryan Burke

Co-Founder & Partner, Leadership + Design

Ryan is a co-founder and partner at L+D. After 20 years in public and independent schools as a teacher, learning specialist, dean of students, and principal/division head, he joined L+D full-time as a senior partner. With a Master's Degree in Applied Behavioral Science and a background... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

11:45am EDT

Community & Conversation Lunch

Monday October 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT

Sponsors

Lands' End School Outfitters

Lands’ End School Outfitters expertly crafts branded apparel solutions that unite your organization and ignite your brand. Our team of experts combines extensive experience in outfitting with a sharp eye for design, ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully considered. We focus... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT

Networking

1:00pm EDT

Actionable Data: Prioritizing Student and Educator Well-Being

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

While schools recognize that creating supportive relationships is paramount to student success, they often struggle to identify and prioritize the most effective interventions to bolster well-being. In this workshop, Nina Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Authentic Connections, will be joined by Meredith Miller, upper school coordinator of student support at The Westminster Schools, to discuss using...
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Speakers

Nina Kumar

Co-Founder & CEO, Authentic Connections

Nina Kumar is co-founder and chief executive officer of Authentic Connections, an organization aimed at maximizing well-being in school communities using a holistic approach and cutting-edge surveys. Prior to Authentic Connections, Nina was a product manager at IBM Watson Health.
... Read More →

Meredith Miller

Upper School Coordinator of Student Support/Upper School Counselor, The Westminster Schools

Dr. Meredith A. Miller is an upper school counselor and coordinator of student support at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. She holds a B.S. in Education, an M.S. in Professional Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Psychology. In her role, Meredith partners with students, faculty, and families... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

1:00pm EDT

HR Compliance in Action: Master the Tricky Situations

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

HR compliance/employee relations does not have to be tricky. This interactive workshop takes you beyond theory and into the real world of workplace compliance challenges. Through engaging scenarios and group discussions, you'll tackle the kinds of situations that keep HR professionals up at night, from performance management gone wrong to accommodation requests that aren't quite what they...
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Speakers

Monica Javia

Chief Human Resources Officer, The Lovett School

Monica is the CHRO at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA, where she brings 18+ years of progressive experience in HR and employee relations. Known for her compassionate, people-centered leadership philosophy, Monica specializes in translating complex HR and legal frameworks into practical... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

1:00pm EDT

I Have This Data; Now What?

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

How do you use the data and tools that you already have access to in order to positively affect enrollment? In this session, learn new ways to consider your enrollment data, think differently about the partnership between admission and marketing, and leave with tactical ideas you can implement as soon as you return to your school.

Speakers

Lisa Hà

Chief Communication Officer, St. Anne's-Belfield School

Lisa Hà, M.P.A. joined St. Anne’s-Belfield School in September 2020, following 15 years in higher ed and nonprofit marketing, where she quickly found that the world of independent school comms was ready for an evolution. Taking an in-house agency approach, her team stopped serving... Read More →

Randie Benedict

Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management, St. Anne's-Belfield School

Randie has dedicated her career to helping schools become the best they can be. She has strengthened every institution she has served through leadership in enrollment strategy, financial aid, and school administration. Her experience includes shaping the trajectory of a major university... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Brand & Communication

1:00pm EDT

Mentoring: Build a Sense of Belonging and Purpose

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Mentoring programs should seek to establish a sense of belonging for new faculty, explore the culture of an independent school, and encourage professional growth. Mentoring program components to be discussed include the following:-Create an onboarding process during orientation which provides the necessary information for a successful start to school.-Select and train mentors to ensure a...
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Speakers

Kathleen Brewer

Teacher Librarian & Co-Director of Mentoring Program, Randolph School

Kathleen Brewer is a teacher-leader at Randolph School and serves as the middle school librarian. She holds a BA from Agnes Scott College and an MAEd from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her career spans a wide range of educational settings, including rural Mississippi, inner-city... Read More →

Allyson McCloud

Dean of Faculty, Randolph School

Allyson currently serves as the dean of faculty at Randolph School, working with faculty from recruitment through their professional growth journey. She served in the middle school as a math teacher, dean, and assistant head for her first eight years at Randolph, following a decade... Read More →

Catherine Beck

Co-Director of Mentoring, Randolph School

Catherine Beck began her career as an educator in 2001 after receiving her B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry and then her M.A. in Science Education. She taught students from middle school to college in public school settings before settling at Randolph School in Huntsville, AL. As a teacher-leader... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

1:00pm EDT

Strengthening Your Financial Foundation: Endowments as Engines of Growth & Sustainability

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Endowments and long-term reserves are critical to the financial resilience of independent schools. This session will explore how schools incorporate these tools into their broader financial strategy. Combining the perspectives of a seasoned investment professional, an independent school trustee, and a former head of school, we will walk through endowment fundamentals, best practices in financial...
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Speakers

Joshua Ireland

CEO, Jefferson Bridge Capital

Joshua Ireland is chief executive officer of Nashville-based Jefferson Bridge Capital, an investment advisory firm serving nonprofits, foundations, and independent schools.

He previously served as COO and an investment committee member at Woodmont Investment Counsel, one of Nashville’s largest independent advisory firms. His career spans hedge funds, equity research, wealth management, and startup leadership, giving him a broad perspective on capital... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

1:00pm EDT

Symbols, Strategy, and School Spirit: Durham Academy's Rebrand

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

In fall 2025, Durham Academy launched an award-winning institutional and athletics rebrand designed to satisfy the desire for a deeper experience of community and connection. But that wasn't the original goal. What began as a simple logo refresh turned into an extensive, long-term plan to reinvigorate an entire institution. Rooted in an extensive listening tour with students, alumni, faculty,...
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Speakers

Leslie Traba

Director of Marketing & Communications, Durham Academy

Leslie has served at Durham Academy's director of marketing & communications for 12 years. Prior to joining DA, Leslie served as Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta's first director of public information, where the former local TV news reporter, cable news anchor, and executive... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Brand & Communication

1:00pm EDT

When AI Acts: Redesigning Learning and Assessment

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Agentic AI – tools that plan, execute, and iterate autonomously – is arriving in schools now. When AI can complete a project, conduct research, and revise its own work, product-based assessment collapses. What remains is process: how students think, what decisions they make, where they intervene, and what they understand about their own cognition along the way.This session examines what...
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Speakers

Liz Helfant

Associate Head for Academic Affairs, Ravenscroft

Liz Helfant serves as associate head for academic affairs at Ravenscroft, drawing from over 25 years of educational leadership experience at MICDS. A Davidson College chemistry graduate, she began her career teaching chemistry, physics, and mathematics before transitioning into academic... Read More →

Connie White

Director of Mount Vernon Ventures, Mount Vernon

Connie White is a visionary educational leader and director of Mount Vernon Ventures. A former Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics teacher, she was among the first technology & learning directors in the Southeast to launch a 1:1 learning program. She previously served 11 years as... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

1:00pm EDT

World & Work Ready: Diploma Distinctions

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Situating this work within higher-education models emphasizing applied learning and leadership, including the civic engagement focus of the Davidson College Deliberate Citizenship Initiative and the life-skills development framework at High Point University, the session highlights practical strategies for fostering world- and work-ready graduates through mission-aligned academic...
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Speakers

Andrew Bishop

Head of School, Davidson Day School

Andrew Bishop has served as head of school at Davidson Day since 2024, bringing a breadth of leadership experience across independent school administration. Prior to his current role, he held key positions at Davidson Day including assistant head of school, director of advancement... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

2:00pm EDT

Break

Monday October 5, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Sponsors

The Education Group

Since 1988, The EducationGroup has served nonprofits and independent schools across the nation, providing the highest level of personalized search, placement, executive coaching and consulting services.

CONTACT: Katherine Moncure Stuart, President, [email protected]... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Networking

2:30pm EDT

Data Fluency in the Age of AI

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

As schools collect more data than ever, the real challenge is not access, but interpretation. In this session, Cindy Blackburn will explore what it truly means to build data fluency among educators and leaders and why this skill is becoming essential in AI-enabled schools. Drawing on real school examples and Toddle’s AI Insights, participants will leave with practical ways to use data to inform...
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Speakers

Cindy Blackburn

Director of Learning, Toddle

Cindy Blackburn is a self-proclaimed curriculum nerd and a global leader in learning design. With over 15 years of experience in international and districts, she’s helped teams on five continents make sense of standards, design meaningful learning experiences, and bring coherence... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

2:30pm EDT

Independent Schools Legal Update: What's New and What's Next

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Independent schools are facing a rapidly evolving legal landscape affecting employees, students, and school operations. This session will highlight the most important recent legal developments impacting independent schools, including employment law updates, accommodation issues, discrimination claims, faculty management, and emerging areas of risk.Attendees will gain practical insights into how...
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Speakers

Jennifer Carroll

Partner & Co-Chair, Education Practice Group, Fisher Phillips

Within the education industry, Jennifer counsels independent schools nationwide on a wide range of issues involving employees, students, parents, trustees, and boards. She serves as a trusted advisor to school leaders, helping them navigate complex legal and practical challenges with... Read More →

Ilanit Fischler

Partner, Fisher Phillips

Ilanit is an employment and education attorney in Fisher Phillips’ Fort Lauderdale office. She represents educational institutions in a broad range of matters relating to student and employee issues, including claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and contract... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

2:30pm EDT

Leading Through the Metacrisis

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Independent schools are operating within a widening web of interconnected crises – educational, cultural, economic, technological, and ecological – that increasingly shape what schools can do and who they can become. In response, many institutions adopt an “abundance” strategy: adding programs, initiatives, and innovations in an effort to remain competitive. Yet this expansion often...
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Speakers

Brent Kaneft

Head of School, Wilson Hall

Brent C. Kaneft is head of school at Wilson Hall in Sumter, SC, where he leads a PK3-grade 12 community of over 850 students with a strategic focus on research-informed teaching and learning. Previously director of curriculum & instruction at Park Tudor School (Indianapolis, IN) and... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

2:30pm EDT

Relationships First: Aligning Leadership, Faculty, and Families

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Independent schools across the country are seeing rising levels of student anxiety, academic pressure, and complex peer dynamics. Schools often respond by adding new programs or policies. Yet the most effective student support systems grow from something deeper: intentional relationships.At Calvary Day School in Savannah, GA, relationships are intentionally woven into the structure of the school...
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Speakers

Erin Chadwick

Director of College Counseling, Calvary Day School

A dedicated professional, Erin Chadwick, director of college counseling at Calvary Day School, has spent the majority of her career guiding students and families through the college admissions and counseling process. With extensive experience in college admissions, academic advising... Read More →

Hunter Chadwick

Head of School, Calvary Day School

Dr. Hunter Chadwick is the head of school at Calvary Day School in Savannah, GA, a role he assumed on July 1, 2020. A Savannah native, Dr. Chadwick began his career in education teaching K-4 before moving into upper school instruction in Spanish and World History. He went on to serve... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

2:30pm EDT

Rigor, Regulation, and the Science of Engagement

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Teaching environments often oscillate between high-control rigor and high-flexibility relational models, while students internalize fragmented messages: Work harder. Manage your stress. Be more organized. This session reframes those narratives through Applied Educational Neuroscience, exploring how productive struggle functions as an optimal learning state and how nervous system regulation...
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Speakers

Rachael Zaher

Learning Specialist, University School of Nashville

Currently a learning specialist at University School of Nashville, Rachael brings more than 20 years of experience focused on the intersection of regulation, rigor, and the science of learning. Her work centers on helping students understand their individual neurotypes and apply neuroscience-informed... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

2:30pm EDT

The Invisible Handbook: Decoding the Unwritten Rules of School Culture

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Independent schools pride themselves on strong culture and tradition, yet the deeper a school’s culture runs, the more its most important rules are unwritten. Leadership success often depends not only on formal authority or strategic skill, but on the ability to read an organization’s “invisible handbook” – the informal norms, historical narratives, and influence networks that shape how...
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Speakers

Amir Farokhi

Head of School, The Galloway School

Amir Farokhi became Galloway's eighth head of school in 2025. He is the first alumnus to serve as the school's head. Prior to coming to Galloway, Amir's career spanned politics, non-profit leadership, and law. He has served as a member of the Atlanta City Council and in leadership... Read More →

Natalie Pitchford

Chief Advancement Officer, The Galloway School

Natalie Pitchford is chief advancement officer at The Galloway School in Atlanta, where she leads the school’s advancement strategy, including philanthropy, communications, and community engagement. In this role, she has led major institutional initiatives that strengthen community... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

2:30pm EDT

What a Capital Campaign Is Really Asking of Your School

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

You can write a case for support. What's harder is saying what it actually means for the future your school is stepping into. Capital campaigns are vision moments, and the school's brand is one of the most important tools for getting campaign messaging and donor communication right. When development, marketing, communications, and executive leadership aren't in the same room early enough, the...
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Speakers

Trey Boden

Founder & Principal, Roar

Stories shape the way people see, feel, and act and every school has the opportunity to tell a transformational story. With 15 years of experience in branding and marketing for PreK-12 schools and churches, Trey Boden leads with conviction, creativity, and a desire for all people... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Brand & Communication

2:30pm EDT

Why Trustees Serve and How Leaders Should Respond

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Independent school boards rarely destabilize heads because trustees are difficult. Boards destabilize heads because leaders respond to trustee anxiety with their own anxiety. This session explores what trustees are really trying to accomplish when they join boards and how those motivations show up in meetings, questions, and moments of tension. Participants will be introduced to five common...
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Speakers

Damian Kavanagh

President & CEO, MISBO

Damian has been president & CEO of MISBO since 2017, leading the largest regional association for independent school operations professionals. Before that, he spent seven years with SAIS, overseeing accreditation and membership programs. He has facilitated nearly 1,000 workshops for... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

3:30pm EDT

Break

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Networking

4:00pm EDT

Keynote: Prosper, Prepare, Protect

Monday October 5, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Speakers

Rebecca Winthrop

Director, Center for Universal Education at Bookings

Rebecca Winthrop is a leading global authority on education, the director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in life, work, and as an engaged... Read More →

Sponsors

Subbey

Subbey’s simple app takes all the hassle out of scheduling a substitute teacher for K-12 private schools and pre-schools. Subbey has saved the day more than 20,000 times for schools just like yours.

CONTACT: Shea McGee, CEO, [email protected]

SPONSORING: Monday PM Keynote... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Keynote

5:00pm EDT

Reception

Monday October 5, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Sponsors

Fisher Phillips

For over 25 years, the attorneys on the Fisher Phillips K-12 Education Team have been servicing schools of all types. Representing religious, secular, independent, private, public and charter schools, our broad and deep team of lawyers assists with student, workplace, and governance-related... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Networking

8:30pm EDT

Karaoke

Monday October 5, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm EDT

Networking

8:00am EDT

Breakfast

Tuesday October 6, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Sponsors

Captivated Health / Borislow Insurance

Borislow Insurance provides affordable, high-quality benefits solutions that will deliver real value to your organization.

CONTACT: William Bennett, Director of Marketing, [email protected]

SPONSORING: Tuesday Breakfast... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Networking

9:00am EDT

Keynote: Leadership Unblocked

Tuesday October 6, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Speakers

Muriel Wilkins

CEO and Founder, Paravid Partners

Muriel M. Wilkins is the CEO and founder of Paravis Partners and a sought-after executive coach and C-suite advisor with more than two decades of experience helping leaders elevate their performance and navigate their toughest challenges. She has served as the trusted partner to hundreds... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Keynote

10:00am EDT

Break

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Networking

10:30am EDT

Building Culture and Retention Through Employee Wellness Programming

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

In an era of rising costs and intense talent competition, a standard benefits package is no longer enough to sustain a thriving school culture. This session empowers leaders to move beyond "surface-level perks" and build a systemic Employee Wellness Program that anchors faculty retention. Using a holistic framework, participants will analyze how to support the educator experience through the four...
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Speakers

Anne Glosky

Associate Head of School for People & Program, Greensboro Day School

An educator with over 30 years of experience in independent schools, Anne Glosky currently serves as the associate head of school for people & program at Greensboro Day School, a role that allows her to coordinate the hiring and retention of employees. Anne developed the Employee... Read More →

Katelyn Williams

Middle School Counselor & Professional Learning Coordinator for Employee Wellness, Inclusion, and Belonging, Greensboro Day School

Katelyn Williams is the middle school counselor and professional learning coordinator for employee wellness, inclusion, and belonging at Greensboro Day School. In these roles, she promotes an overall school culture of wellness that spans students, staff, faculty, and families.

For the better part of a decade, Katelyn has worked with various independent schools to ensure a culture of wellness moves beyond theory to embed equity and well-being into the core operational DNA of the communities she serves. She holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Ga... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

10:30am EDT

Building High Performance Leadership Metabolism

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Two schools. Same challenges. Same resources. One pivots in 18 months; the other is still stuck three years later. The difference? Leadership metabolism.In this session, we'll explore why some leadership teams efficiently convert challenges into action while others stall in committee cycles, initiative overload, and energy crashes. You'll learn to diagnose the health of your school's leadership...
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Speakers

Moira Kelly

President, EXPLO

Moira Kelly is the kind of educational leader who makes other leaders better. As president of EXPLO, she guides schools through the hard, rewarding work of growth, innovation, and change, bringing strategic clarity to moments that can feel anything but clear.

Through EXPLO Elevate, Moira leads strategy, governance, program design, and leadership coaching for schools across the U.S. and internationally. She and her team have worked with 100 schools in total. EXPLO's own enrichment programs have welcomed more than 90,000 students from 101... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

10:30am EDT

Cultivating Belonging in the Era of AI

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

This interactive workshop helps educational leaders navigate the integration of emerging technologies like AI while preserving the human connections that make learning communities thrive. Drawing on Global Online Academy's 15-year history as a global nonprofit consortium, participants will explore two complementary frameworks that guide values-aligned technology adoption and support students'...
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Speakers

Douglas Beam

Director of School Membership, Global Online Academy

Dr. Douglas Beam brings over two decades of experience as an educator and leader in schools. As director of school membership at Global Online Academy (GOA), he supports a consortium of leading independent schools, helping them connect with peer schools across the country and around... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Community & Connection

10:30am EDT

Leading Schoolwide AI Through Strategic Task Force Design

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Explore tangible ways to build an Artificial Intelligence Task Force that transforms early conversations into cohesive, schoolwide direction across academics and operations. The session outlines the intentional steps used to launch and sustain a schoolwide task force; define its scope; and engage subcommittees representing academics, technology, human resources, communications, student support,...
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Speakers

Jessie Jung

Technology Integration Specialist, Oak Hall School

Jessie Jung is a technology integration specialist at an independent PreK-12 school in Gainesville, FL. With more than two decades of experience in education and a master’s degree in Educational Technology, she partners with educators to thoughtfully integrate digital tools that... Read More →

Karin Montini

Associate Head of School, Oak Hall School

Karin Montini serves as associate head of school at Oak Hall School, where she leads institutional advancement and schoolwide operations in close partnership with the head of school. She previously served as director of teaching and learning, overseeing curriculum innovation, program... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Leadership & Governance

10:30am EDT

Leverage Your Professional Growth System to Drive Retention

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

The adult community is the foundation of a successful school. Building an intentional professional growth system ensures you spend more time supporting, growing, and deepening engagement with the teachers and staff you want to keep at your school, instead of spending time, money, and effort on constantly recruiting and onboarding. Move beyond outdated, "check-the-box" professional development...
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Speakers

Melissa Fast

Director of School Success, Folio Collaborative

Melissa Fast is director of school success at Folio Collaborative, bringing nearly two decades of education experience. She has served as an education consultant, mathematics and MSP consultant at the Kansas State Department of Education, adjunct college instructor, and classroom... Read More →

Hilary Robinson

Associate Head of School, St. Mary's Episcopal School

Hilary Robinson is an accomplished independent school leader known for her strategic vision, commitment to academic excellence, and ability to unite communities around a shared mission. With more than three decades in education, she serves as associate head of school at St. Mary’s... Read More →

Katie Donahue

Dean of Academic Initiatives, Porter-Gaud School

Katie Donahue serves as the dean of academic initiatives at Porter-Gaud School, where she supports faculty growth and advances mission-aligned academic initiatives. With nearly 30 years of teaching experience ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade, including six years as a math... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

10:30am EDT

Thinking About Thinking: Unlocking Student Autonomy Through SRL

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

This interactive workshop will dive deep into the “how” of self-regulated learning in students, equipping educators with research-backed strategies and practical tools to empower learners for lifelong success. We will delve into recognizing our own abilities to understand, process, and regulate our learning as educators and, most importantly, how to transfer these abilities to our students so...
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Speakers

Abigail Shaheen

Cambridge Coordinator, Peterson School

Abby Shaheen is a teacher and coordinator whose career spans the US, Costa Rica, China, and Mexico. Much of her experience has focused on training and mentoring teachers from elementary to adult education, and she currently works in secondary education as a Cambridge Coordinator and... Read More →

Pranjoli Saletore

English Department Head, Peterson School

Pranjoli Saletore is an English department head and ELA educator with a decade of international teaching experience. Her own international schooling, coupled with a teaching career that has spanned England, Japan, and Mexico, has shaped her unique classroom practice that centers diverse... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Teaching & Learning

10:30am EDT

Tying Outcomes to the Independent School Value Proposition

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

In today’s competitive, value-driven educational landscape, independent schools must not only provide exceptional learning experiences, they must also clearly demonstrate their impact. One powerful way to do this is by connecting measurable student outcomes in academic growth and well-being to the school’s value proposition.This session explores how to use academic and well-being data to...
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Speakers

Craig Tredenick

Senior Director, Member Success, Enrollment, E3n

Craig joined the E3n team in March 2026, bringing extensive experience in enrollment management, admissions, and advancement within independent schools. Prior to E3n, he served as director of admissions and advancement at the American School of Dubai, a role he held since 2018. Before... Read More →

Jason Lasnetski

Senior Director, Member Success, E3n

Jason Lasnetski is a senior director of member success at E3n, where he serves as a strategic partner to school leaders and educators. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Jason specializes in translating complex assessment data into actionable instructional goals that drive student... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Brand & Communication

10:30am EDT

Using Operational AI to Strengthen Institutional Advancement

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Independent schools are being asked to make faster, higher-stakes institutional advancement decisions with limited time and scattered information. This session offers a practical Enroll–Support–Advance playbook for using AI to turn your school’s data into insight and action. Participants will learn how AI can help combine admissions, financial aid, and community data to spot under-reached...
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Speakers

Sam Geisler

Chief Advancement Officer, Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Sam Geisler serves as chief advancement officer at Episcopal School of Jacksonville (ESJ), overseeing the school’s admission, enrollment, marketing, and advancement efforts under one umbrella. Sam previously served as the school’s executive director of admission and enrollment... Read More →

Andrew Greene

Co-Founder and CEO, Independent Data Partners

Dr. Andrew Greene brings over 15 years of diverse experience in education, having worked in day, boarding, and international schools as a teacher, administrator, and admissions professional. His practical experience is complemented by a distinguished role as an adjunct professor at... Read More →

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Breakout Session, Brand & Communication

11:30am EDT

Adjourn

Tuesday October 6, 2026 11:30am - 11:30am EDT

12:00pm EDT

Accreditation Chair Training

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:00pm - 12:00pm EDT

SAIS relies on the expertise of heads of school and senior administrators to serve as accreditation visiting team chairs. Typically, those who attend chair training have served on several teams and been recommended by a visiting team chair.Box lunches provided.*Pre-approval and separate registration required. Please contact Pat Cuneo, SAIS Director of Accreditation, at [email protected] with any...
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Speakers

Pat Cuneo

Director of Accreditation, SAIS

Jo Stoltz

Assistant Director of Accreditation, SAIS

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:00pm - 12:00pm EDT

Workshop, Accreditation

2:00pm EDT

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