June 22-24, 2026 | Alderbrook Lodge

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Conference Overview

This program is created by your peers in NWAIS leadership roles to support the work of experienced and aspiring leaders. The program includes time to reflect on the year's successes and challenges, build a new skill set and consider how it will be relevant in the coming year. Attendees have found it valuable to attend on their own or in cohorts from their school.

Who Should Attend?

Assistant Heads, Division Heads, Deans, and those in and aspiring to Educational and Administrative Leadership Roles. We are also thrilled to welcome participants from the current Emerging Leaders Institute and Pathways to Leadership Cohorts.

Program

Session facilitators will guide attendees through extended workshops which give attendees time to dig into subjects with colleagues, practice skills at a pace that matches the end of the year. This program is designed to provide time to let go of and process the year that is closing, learn new skills and strategies for school leadership as well as providing time to think abut how they might apply to the year ahead.  

This year's program will be a deep dive into school culture.

School culture shapes everything—from student belonging and staff retention to learning outcomes and community trust. This year's Leadership Institute program will give leaders the space to step back from day-to-day demands, learn from peers, and engage with research-informed practices that strengthen values, relationships, and leadership alignment. By attending, school leaders gain practical strategies and shared language to intentionally cultivate environments where students and adults can thrive.

Workshop Facilitators

Meera Shah

Founder and Executive Director of Trey Education

&

Lauren Evans

Lower and Middle School Principal at Carolina Day School

Presenting:

Culture Compass: A Framework for Shared Performance and Thriving

As Well As

Ken Rogers

Ken Rogers is the Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction at The Park School in Brookline, MA and a nationally recognized independent-school presenter whose work centers on leadership, adult learning, organizational clarity, and effective communication.

Presenting:

Holding the Umbrella: Shaping Culture Under Pressure

and

Optional Pre-Conference Add-On Session For Assistant Heads and Division Heads

10:00-12:00pm Monday, June 22, 2026

Join planning committee members for a morning session to connect with others who share these unique roles and to explore important legal and policy updates with

Karen Kalzer

NWAIS Retained Legal Counsel 

Participants are invited to stay for lunch and community building.

Click Here to Learn More About Sessions And Speakers

"Thank you so much for such an inspiring three days! I am revved up for the new school year!"

“The networking opportunity can't be beat. It's a very different feel and pace than most other conferences.”

“Excellent accommodations, excellent food, thoroughly planned, overall outstanding”

“I think it is great to attend with a group from your school - very valuable on many levels and worth the investment.”

“You will gain so much & you will also have the chance to fully integrate it into what you do. This conference is informative but invested in personal reflection and application. It is an outstanding opportunity to interact with peers. It is a most spectacular location to retreat professionally and personally.”

“This is an amazing opportunity to connect with colleagues from your own school and people who are your peers at other neighboring schools. This is a chance to not only offer your own ideas but to walk away with a better sense of where independent schools are heading.”

 “It is an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues, refresh after the school year, and dream big about the future of your school. I came away with both practical ideas I can implement right away, and more ambitious ideas for the leadership team at my school. I highly recommend it and hope to be back next year!”

Conference Agenda

Monday, June 22, 2026

10:00-12:00    Add-on Session for Assistant or Division Heads (Includes lunch, $75)

Monday, June 22, 2026

1:00-1:30         Registration

1:30-2:30         Welcome and Community Building

2:30-5:00         Workshop: Culture Compass: A Framework for Shared Performance and Thriving - Part 1

5:00-7:00         Reception and Dinner

7:00-9:00         Optional Evening Activity

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

8:00-9:00          Breakfast

9:00-11:30        Workshop: Culture Compass: A Framework for Shared Performance and Thriving - Part 2

11:30-2:00        Long Lunch to Enjoy Alderbrook

2:00-4:00          Workshop: Holding the Umbrella: Shaping Culture Under Pressure - Part 1

4:00-6:00          Free Time

6:00-7:30          Dinner

7:30-9:00          Social and Free Time - Waterfront Fire Pits 

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

8:00-9:00           Breakfast

9:00-11:30         Workshop: Holding the Umbrella: Shaping Culture Under Pressure - Part 2

11:30-12:00       Closing

Pricing and Registration

Conference Fees Will Include Programming as well as a Reception and Dinner on June 22, and Breakfast, Lunch and Reception and Dinner on June 23 and Breakfast on June 24, 2026.

* Pricing includes a full meal package for guests and children. If you would like to have guests join you and not join us for meals, there is no charge and no need to register those individuals. There are alternative meal options available on-site

To receive the early bird or regular discount, your registration must be complete and payment must be postmarked or received by the stated deadline.

• For registrations with payment by check, payment must be postmarked by the stated deadline

• Online registrations completed by credit card must be completed by 11:59pm on the stated deadline.

Guest Meals

This year you can register guests for individual meals, rather than a full meal package. We recognize the cost of meals at Alderbrook is resource-intensive. We hope that this will allow you to customize your experience and make the most of time with your family. Pricing is outlined below. Children under 6 are welcome to join us at no charge. If your guests are not joining for meals, there is no charge and no need to register them with NWAIS.

Guest Meal Costs

ADULT GUEST

• Monday Reception & Dinner - $120
• Tuesday Breakfast - $65
• Tuesday Lunch - $85
• Tuesday BBQ Dinner - $85
• Wednesday Breakfast - $65

CHILD GUEST (6+)

• Monday Reception & Dinner - $40
• Tuesday Breakfast - $25
• Tuesday Lunch - $25
• Tuesday BBQ Dinner - $40
• Wednesday Breakfast - $25

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Accommodations

Accommodations can be made by contacting Alderbrook Lodge & Spa directly. NWAIS has contracted a special rate of $209 per night.

Please make your reservation by phone directly through Alderbrook by calling (360) 898-2145 and asking for the NWAIS Leadership Institute or you can reserve your room online using the code: 40X8Z0

Online Reservation Link (not active yet, please check back to reserve your room)

Book early - The room block reached capacity last year and late registrants needed to reserve space off-site. 

Reservations must be made by May 22, 2026 to qualify for this rate. 

To Receive the Registration Discounts

Your registration must be complete by the appropriate deadline.Online registrations paid by credit card must be completed by 11:59pm on the deadline date.

Participant Cancellation Policy

Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by June 12, 2026 are eligible for a refund after a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after June 12, 2026 are ineligible for any refund.

Program Cancellation

Typically, cancellations and postponements are very rare, however the pandemic has forced us to utilize these options more frequently. Registered attendees will be notified of any program cancellation directly via email as well as through listservs and NWAIS website. In the case that NWAIS needs to cancel, all registration fees will be refunded. NWAIS is however, unable to reimburse other expenses (such as travel) incurred by attendees prior to the event. NWAIS strongly recommends that attendees make travel arrangements that allow for some flexibility such as rescheduling, cancellation and/or future credit.