April 20-22, 2026

Alderbrook Resort and Spa, Union, WA

Sessions And Speakers

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Keynote Session

With Amada Torres, VP for Studies, Insights, and Research
NAIS

Presenting: 

Navigating the Future: Key Trends Impacting Independent Schools

Amada Torres is the Vice President for Studies, Insights, and Research at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), where she leads original research and produces national studies that inform and support independent schools across the United States. In her role, she regularly contributes to the annual NAIS TrendBook and speaks on key issues affecting independent education, including market and socioeconomic trends, financial sustainability, admissions and marketing, governance and leadership, community well-being, and advocacy. Torres previously worked as a Senior Manager at the Corporate Executive Board and as an economic consultant with Peru’s Ministry of Economy and Finance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Universidad del Pacífico in Lima, Peru, and earned a master’s degree in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom as a Chevening Scholar. 

And Additional Sessions 

Emerging Legal and Compliance Challenges & Opportunities

This workshop will examine the most pressing trends shaping independent schools today, including economic and demographic shifts, competitive pressures, admissions and enrollment patterns, philanthropy, and workforce dynamics. Participants will gain insights and strategies to adapt to these changes and strengthen their institution’s value proposition. This session combines data-driven analysis with practical recommendations to help schools thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Joy Ellis (Office Managing Director and Principal, Foster Garvey) advises and represents employers. She provides practical advice and counsel on a broad range of employment law issues. In addition to her advice practice, Joy defends employers in litigation. She has successfully handled BOLI, L&I and EEOC complaints, as well as defended lawsuits in Oregon and Washington’s state and federal courts. Joy conducts workplace investigations and has a reputation as a fair, prompt and thorough fact finder. She is a Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) with the Association of Workplace Investigators, a distinction earned by completing intensive training and assessment in the core principles of impartial workplace investigations. A unique segment of Joy’s practice involves advising and representing independent schools in virtually all aspects of their operations, including employment matters, educator misconduct, risk management, student and employee handbooks, student discipline, civil rights, enrollment contract and admission issues, education records and head of school contracts. Joy is a frequent speaker on various employment and school law topics. She regularly conducts on-site training on preventing educator misconduct, maintaining a harassment-free workplace, implementing leave laws, complying with wage and hour laws and effective hiring and firing practices.

Michael Zangl (Associate, Miller Nash LLC) is a member of the firm’s employment law & labor relations and education law practice teams. He uses a thoughtful and proactive approach to supporting the firm’s clients in a variety of employment and education matters. Michael has experience representing clients in federal court and defending education institutions against constitutional and tort claims. He also serves higher education clients by conducting independent workplace investigations related to discrimination and fulfillment of job responsibilities. Michael began at Miller Nash as a summer associate in 2022 and 2023 where he supported the firm’s real estate, bankruptcy, tribal, and education and employment teams with research and drafting memoranda. Michael also served as a judicial extern for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Before law school, Michael had a career in higher education administration and student life where he gained a deep understanding of how higher education institutions function and the issues they face on a daily basis.

This is not JUST a Drill: Preparing and Executing Effective Critical Incident Tabletop Exercises 

As the saying goes: hope for the best, but plan for the worst. In this 1-hour session, we’ll explore how to prepare for critical incidents at your school and during school-related activities by using tabletop exercises to uncover strengths and gaps in your risk management and crisis response plans.We’ll examine the benefits, key considerations, and common elements of various tabletop exercise models—from a simple questioning approach to a rapid-fire “incident speed dating” format, and even the comprehensive, multi-layered “Open Book Test.” While it’s impossible to anticipate every scenario, it is possible to practice and prepare for the core elements shared by all serious incidents—so you’re ready to respond effectively to the unique challenges each situation presents. This interactive presentation will also include time for participants to collaborate and discuss practical strategies for integrating these tools into their ongoing risk management plans.

Mark Vermeal is a nationally recognized expert in risk management and safety, boasting over 20 years of experience as a senior-level administrator. His career includes serving as Vice President of Safety for Outward Bound USA, National Director of Risk Management and Safety for the Student Conservation Association, and Director of the Wilderness Skills Program at the White Mountain School. Mark is renowned for developing a nationally recognized outdoor education program that seamlessly integrated experiential education and wilderness skills instruction with a rigorous academic curriculum. A former Wilderness EMT and wilderness medicine instructor, he also taught anatomy and physiology in the classroom. Mark holds certifications as a Mountain Guides Association Rock Instructor and Single Pitch Instructor Provider, with extensive guiding experience in rock, ice, and alpine environments both domestically and internationally.
Currently residing in Golden, Colorado, Mark continues to contribute to the field by serving on the risk management committees for Outward Bound Canada and the Colorado Outward Bound School. He previously served on the Steering Committee for the Wilderness Risk Management Conference WRMC from 2007 to 2017 and has been a presenter at the WRMC since 2007. Mark is also a co-founder of Outdoor Practice and has spent eight years with Fred C. Church and the Education team. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine, Orono 1986, and a Master of Education degree from Plymouth State University 1993. His dedication to safety, education, and risk management has solidified his reputation as a leader in the industry.

Sam Daume serves as the Executive Vice President and is one of the Education Practice Leaders at Gallagher, working out of the Boston, MA offices. With over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, including 17 years with Fred C. Church, Sam has established himself as a trusted advisor and leader in the education sector. As a Practice Leader and Client Executive, he oversees insurance and risk management programs for a diverse portfolio of clients, including prestigious independent schools such as Phillips Academy (Andover), Deerfield, Thacher, Branson, Bush, Oregon Episcopal School, Buckingham Brown & Nichols, and Milton Academy. His client base also extends to higher education institutions like the University System of New Hampshire, Suffolk University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Wesleyan University, as well as outdoor organizations such as Outward Bound USA, NOLS, and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Sam is an active member of the United Educators Broker Advisory Committee, the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), and NBOA, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing risk management practices in education. He earned his Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1993 and his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation in 1995, showcasing his expertise in the field. A 1986 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT, Sam continues to leverage his extensive knowledge and experience to deliver tailored insurance solutions and strategic risk management guidance to his clients.

Retirement as a Talent Lever: What NWAIS Schools Are Doing—and What Works

Our NWAIS retirement plan survey reveals which plan features correlate with better hiring and retention, and what “good” looks like for schools of your size. We’ll benchmark match and nonelective formulas, auto-features, vesting, Roth usage, and then translate the data into practical design moves for the next budget cycle. 
Learning outcomes
• Identify the 2–3 plan design features most associated with improved teacher/staff retention.
• Benchmark your plan against NWAIS peers on employer contribution strategy, auto-features, and vesting.
• Quantify the ROI tradeoffs of matching versus non-elective dollars at common budget levels.
• Spot common compliance issues that undermine benefit value.

Hailey Fields is a principal of Multnomah Group. She is responsible for serving retirement plan sponsor clients on investment menu construction, investment manager selection, fiduciary governance, and vendor management. Hailey is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), delivered by the Investments & Wealth Institute®. She holds an MSc with distinction in Actuarial Science from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Portland.

Gretchen Reed joined OES in 2015. She has more than two decades of experience in education and nonprofit finance, including serving as chief financial officer at other independent schools, association executive, assistant treasurer of a liberal arts college, and an investment banker for public and nonprofit clients. Her volunteer experience includes being president, search chair, treasurer, and parent committee president for several nonprofits and schools. She earned her artium baccalaureus from Occidental College and her master's of business administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She and her husband, Henry, have two grown children who both attended independent schools.

What Business Officers Should Know Now About Agentic AI

Agentic AI—tools that set goals, take multi-step actions, and adapt—are transforming school operations. This interactive workshop equips business officers with a clear understanding of agentic AI and how it differs from common generative tools. Through live demos, group discussions, and a readiness rubric, participants will evaluate their school’s capacity to adopt AI responsibly. Attendees will explore practical applications in finance, risk management, and administration, while considering which tasks could and should be AI-assisted. The session provides framing questions, previews emerging roles like AI coordinators, and offers strategies for governance, training, and culture to prepare for AI-driven change.

Peter Frank, Interim CEO, ATLIS (Association for Technology Leaders in Independent Schools)

Regional Legal and Policy Update with Karen Kalzer, Partner, Helsell Fetterman, and Retained Legal Counsel

Karen will guide a journey through the regional impacts of the current legal landscape including how the executive orders from the current administration are impacting member schools. During this session Karen will share trends that she has identified from the many consultations with member schools and share context from the advisories she has authored for NWAIS. 

After her session Karen will remain onsite for one-on-one consultations with anyone who would like to discuss questions related to individual school circumstances. 

Inside the 2025–26 Applicant Pool: National Data Trends Impacting Enrollment and Budgets 

Independent schools are navigating a rapidly shifting financial aid landscape, where methodology choices have a direct and measurable impact on awards, enrollment, and budget performance. In this session, we’ll examine national and regional data trends from the 2025–26 applicant pool, exploring how family financial profiles and demonstrated-need patterns are evolving across markets. 

Drawing on data from more than 1,400 schools, we’ll highlight how schools are adjusting financial aid methodology settings and the downstream effects those decisions have on calculated family contributions, award distribution, and enrollment outcomes. 

Jen Bash is a Client Success Manager at Clarity, where she ensures that schools receive the training, resources, and support needed to fully leverage Clarity’s financial aid software. Before joining Clarity, Jen spent 19 years in independent schools, including 14 years in financial aid and enrollment management roles. Jen brings a wealth of experience working with day and boarding schools, faith-based schools, all-girls schools, and international student financial aid programs. 

The Financial State of Independent Schools: New Insights and Trends

Data drives operational decisions and informs strategic conversations, making it critical to the foundation of any business officer’s work. In this session, you’ll learn insights into the latest trends in key financial and operational indicators for independent schools from NBOA’s new Financial State of the Industry report featuring data from NBOA's Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS) data set. In addition to this fresh data analysis, you’ll also gain insight into perennially important data points and trends to track for your school and your benchmark groups, like net tuition revenue, financial aid and expenses. Special regional data analyses will be presented to provide context for how schools in the NWAIS region compare to national trends. This session also showcases data tools and resources that help schools with strategic financial planning.

Elizabeth Dabney is NBOA’s senior director, research and data analysis. She leads the management of industry research based on data in the association’s Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS) platform in support of NBOA’s mission to inform NBOA members and stakeholders and encourage data-driven decision making throughout the independent school community. Prior to joining NBOA in 2019, she was the director, research and policy analysis, at the Data Quality Campaign, a nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization. Elizabeth brings more than 20 years of research experience to NBOA including prior research roles at Westat and Metis Associates, Inc. Elizabeth is an experienced facilitator and presenter having lead in-person and virtual data-related sessions for the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS), CASE-NAIS, California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS), NAIS Thrive, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), and Hawai’i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS). She lives in northeast Seattle.

And Closing Keynote

Designing & Implementing a Sustainable Mission-Driven Compensation System

Faculty and staff compensation is in sharp focus as the world of work evolves in dramatic ways post-pandemic.  How can schools attract and retain quality teachers with record numbers of teachers leaving the profession and colleges reporting declines in education majors?  How can schools compete for staff in a changing labor market? This session will explore how to create a faculty and staff compensation system that is consistent, effective, and mission-driven. Topics include: types of salary systems, evaluation, professional growth, benefits, and implementation of a new system.

Cliff Kling is Mission & Data Senior Executive Compensation and Leadership Strategist, and he leads the firm’s Executive and Organizational Compensation Practice. Cliff served 24 years in two independent schools, most recently from 2018 - 2024 as President of Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami, Florida. Gulliver, the fifth largest NAIS member school, is one of the most complex and dynamic independent day schools in the country with 2,230 students hailing from nearly 50 different countries and 500 faculty and staff members. Previously, he served at Jackson Academy in Jackson, Mississippi, first as Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel and then as President. 

Cliff is an attorney and former CPA license holder, and he came to independent schools after a short career in public accounting and practicing law. A natural born advisor, Cliff thrives in complex situations and is at his best when delayering and unstacking problems. The transformational changes he shepherded at both Gulliver and Jackson Academy ground his compensation and leadership work with Mission & Data. At Jackson Academy, the school purchased land which doubled the size of its main campus, and Cliff directly oversaw $20 million of new construction and capital expansion. At Gulliver, Cliff led the efforts for a successful land-swap transaction with a neighboring church, making way for a comprehensive master plan. During his tenure, the school launched its first-ever capital campaign and completed over $150 million of new construction and capital projects.  

In addition to executive and faculty/staff compensation consulting, Cliff’s work with Mission & Data includes supporting leaders in their intentional cultivation of healthy organizations, defined by minimal internal politics and confusion, high morale, low turnover, and increased productivity and results.  Cliff is both a student and practitioner of organizational health and is heavily influenced by Pat Lencioni in this work. He has focused on organizational dynamics and improved culture in both schools where he served by building cohesive leadership teams, creating clarity, and communicating consistently. 

Cliff has a deep knowledge of best practices in governance and appreciation for the challenges and rewards of trusteeship. In addition to working for and with two boards, Cliff has served on the boards and in various governance leadership capacities for the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), MISBO, the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), and the Association of LD Schools. He has served numerous times as a team member and chair of visiting accreditation teams for SAIS and FCIS.
Cliff graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University where he majored in accounting, and he finished second in his law school class, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He earned the CPA designation and practiced two years of public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick before going to law school.  Following law school, he practiced with Mississippi’s largest law firm before joining Jackson Academy in 2000. He and his wife, Heather, have two daughters, Ainsley who is attending Florida State University and Alise who is in high school.  

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