Institutional Leadership Through Governance Conference
Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Sessions and Speakers
Announcing Keynote Speaker Sara Goldsmith Schwartz, Founder & President, Schwartz Hannum PC 
Presenting: Hot Topics in Risk Management
In this lively and interactive session, experienced education and employment lawyer Sara Schwartz will facilitate a discussion about risk management for Heads of School and Board Chairs. Sara will address the hot topics of today, such as: formulating a school’s approach to discourse on public events (including defining free speech in the classroom and institutional restraint/neutrality); preparing for, investigating and resolving complaints from employees, students, alums and others; governance priorities; and enterprise risk management. Case studies will be utilized to generate dialogue and highlight real world situations and practical solutions.
About Sara Goldsmith Schwartz
Sara Goldsmith Schwartz is the Founder and President of Schwartz Hannum PC, a law firm founded in 1995 and based in Andover, MA, that specializes in education, employment and labor law. In the course of representing more than 250 educational institutions across the United States, Sara has become a trusted advisor to Heads of Schools, Presidents, Chairmen of the Board, Deans, Business Officers and others as independent school and higher education leaders tackle and resolve matters of school governance, student and employee disciplinary matters, risk management, sexual abuse allegations, and the myriad compliance documents such as enrollment agreements, school bylaws, student/parent handbooks and more. Sara is a cum laude graduate of both Yale College and Harvard Law School. She began her legal career at the law firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston, after completing a federal court clerkship with The Honorable William Young in Boston. In 2013, Sara was selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a Top Woman of Law. Sara has also been selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers® as a top Labor and Employment attorney for over ten years.
Please see the Firm’s Website, at http://www.shpclaw.com/, for more information regarding the Firm, its attorneys, and the scope of the Firm’s practice.
Closing Keynote
Dr. Damian Kavanagh, CAE,President & CEO, MISBO 
Presenting: The Ultimate Governance Mixtape
Governance
in schools is esoteric and enigmatic and yet has a profound impact on all areas
of school life. This session is about demystifying governance and teaching you
about the relationship between the head and the board. Armed with this
knowledge and information, you will be prepared to help the school succeed. The
framework for this session is a musical playlist – the ultimate governance
mixtape – to accompany some of the major constructs of governance, such as
toxic board culture as represented in the marvelous song “Should I Stay, or
Should I Go?” Note that this is high energy, fun, and a little bit loud.
About Damian Kavanagh
Since July 2017, Dr. Damian Kavanagh, CAE has served
as President & CEO of MISBO. Damian has over 25 years of independent school
industry experience. Prior to MISBO, Damian spent seven years as a vice
president with SAIS where he oversaw the accreditation and membership programs
of the association. Prior to joining SAIS, he spent 15 years as a teacher,
coach, and administrator at The Westminster Schools of Atlanta, GA, a
nationally recognized school with deep roots in the independent school community,
and the birthplace of MISBO. From there, he served as head of school of
Cambridge Academy in Greenwood, SC. Damian earned both his BA and MA in Latin literature
from the University of Georgia, a specialist degree and doctorate in education
(educational leadership for learning) from Kennesaw State University where his
research was on the alignment of independent school heads and boards to
principles of governance in times of normalcy and in times of crisis, and the
Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of
Association Executives. Damian is a near native of Charlottesville, VA and a
graduate of Saint Anne’s‐Belfield School. Damian is a distance cycling
enthusiast and is active in the sport of lacrosse and has been recognized as a
coach of the year, an official of the year, and has been inducted into the
Georgia Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame.
Focus Sessions
11:00-12:00 - Focus Session A
A1. Unlocking the Promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The Role of the Board of Trustees with Dr. Valaida Wise
Schools are charting a path forward to make substantive change that will eliminate barriers for children from marginalized groups. In order to realize the true promise of DEI schools must engage the entire community. The success of any DEI plan requires the thoughtful and purposeful engagement of the board of trustees who are uniquely positioned to advance DEI efforts. This multimedia presentation will examine the critical function of trustee members in the successful implementation of DEI and address such topics as: • How to start the work, • How to ward off fatigue, • What should the board know about the school's DEI efforts? • Should the board have a separate DEI Committee • How does the board launch a DEI Committee, should it? • The relationship between the Board and the DEI Director Participants will leave with practical strategies for immediate implementation that have the potential to positively alter the trajectory of all students, particularly those from marginalized groups. 
Dr. Valaida L. Wise After more than 20 years of experience in the field of education, Dr. Valaida L. Wise (Val) made the career choice to share her vast knowledge and expertise with the larger community. Specializing in for-profit organizations, non-profits, and educational institutions, Val brings a unique perspective predicated upon achieving exceptional outcomes across the full spectrum of operations and training. Her vast experience equips her to address all aspects of organizational management and leadership, parent/teacher relationships, fundraising, staff development and fiscal management.
A2. Crunching Numbers, Making Waves: Linking Accreditation Data & Governance Challenges with Bonnie Ricci, Executive Director, ICAISA
A highly functioning and effective Board of Trustees is fundamental to school strength and sustainability. Governance challenges, however, are frequent, far-reaching, and deeply-rooted. The International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA) has conducted a research project and crunched the numbers to link accreditation data to these governance challenges. The methodology of this research project included characterizing governance-related recommendations that appeared in school accreditation reports. Each recommendation was categorized and themes were identified. Based on the analysis of the data, a set of recommendations was developed to support schools in “making waves” within the area of governance. Board members will find the recommendations both affirming and challenging, and ultimately, illuminating. This presentation will address these fundamental questions: 1) What governance challenges are schools facing? 2) What can Boards and Board Members do to pro-actively bolster governance practices to minimize the likelihood of these challenges arising This interactive session will include the presentation of the findings from the research study, the themes that arose from the data, and recommendations for trustees and boards that promote good governance and meaningful action.
Bonnie J. Ricci began as the Executive Director of the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA) in the summer of 2019. Throughout her career, she has held numerous positions within independent schools including teacher, advisor, coach, and head of school. Bonnie’s passion for accreditation as a tool for growth was sparked when she served on several accreditation visiting teams. Following this passion, she spent a decade providing leadership within the areas of accreditation, professional development, and governance at the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). Bonnie holds degrees from Williams College and Worcester State University. Analytical by nature, Bonnie is intensely service oriented, and derives deep satisfaction through supporting others in assessing challenges and solving problems. Using these skills, Bonnie has dedicated her career of over 25 years to serving the educational community as a Board member, conference presenter, facilitator, consultant, and enthusiastic advocate for accreditation and independent school education.
1:00-2:00 - Focus Session B
B1. Defining the Swim Lanes of AI with Christina Lewellen, Executive Director, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS)
What
is the role of trustees in leading a school's AI efforts? Trustees play a
crucial role in setting the strategic direction and ensuring the long-term
success of independent schools, and as AI becomes increasingly prevalent, it is
essential for trustees to understand their unique responsibilities in guiding
their schools' AI initiatives. Join this interactive conversation to explore
the roles trustees and administrators should play when it comes to shaping a
school's AI philosophy, and leave with practical guidance on leading schools
into an AI-driven future. With the session's resources, trustees can accelerate
their AI efforts and avoid common pitfalls.
 Christina Lewellen, MBA, CAE, Executive Director, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools, is a seasoned association executive who brings a data-driven framework to business planning and strategy, having earned her MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives. She was named the Executive Director of ATLIS in 2019 and travels coast-to-coast visiting independent schools and their leadership teams. She serves as a trustee for the Harmony Foundation International and is an active volunteer in the association management space.
B2. What 100 Heads of School Reveal About the Independent School Business Model, With Peter Baron, Founder, MoonshotOS
After more than one hundred conversations with heads about the
independent school business model, the results are in. Uncover the critical challenges facing today's independent schools
and discover how schools are effectively redefining the model. This session will delve into case studies of schools, analyzing
their paths to success and offering actionable insights. Essential for trustees and school leaders, this workshop offers a
critical examination of current hurdles, identifies opportunities to reimagine
the business model, and provides a hopeful outlook for the future of
independent schools.
 Peter Baron is a dedicated and seasoned advocate for independent schools. His journey began with a personal transformational experience as a boarding student, which profoundly shaped his future and set him on a path of over twenty years of service to schools. Peter is the founder of MoonshotOS, a professional learning community empowering leaders to reimagine the independent school business model. He served as the Chief Member Relations Officer for the Enrollment Management Association, directing EMA's marketing and communications, member recruitment and retention, outreach functions, leadership training programs, research, and other related strategic initiatives. With a career in association management, product development, sales, relationship development, marketing, entrepreneurship, and hosting more than 300 podcasts focused on leadership and independent school growth, Peter's success has been built on listening to schools' and families' needs — rooted in a deep commitment to the transformational experience that independent schools can have for students. Peter has been recognized throughout his career for his strategic, compassionate, proactive, analytical, and highly collaborative approach. He has showcased his expertise at various conferences, from NAIS to EMA and numerous state and regional associations. Peter was a trustee for Wolfeboro Camp School, Historic Neighborhoods, and Emerald City Football Club. He graduated from Brewster Academy, Skidmore College (BA), and Tufts University (MAT). Peter lives in Seattle, WA, with his wife, Akiko, and two children.
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