NOTE : This
registration is for participating in an individual
session as well as access to the session recording and materials. To register anyone
affiliated with your school for access to the whole
series (access to all sessions and recordings), please refer to the School Wide Registration page.
BUILDING BETTER BOARDSGoverning for What’s Next: Future-Ready Schools and Scenario Thinking with Mike Cobb, Senior Innovation and Organizational Excellence Strategist, Mission & Data Wednesday, October 29, 2025 12:00-1:30 PM PT
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Session Description
Governing for What’s Next: Future-Ready Schools and Scenario Thinking
In a time of volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous challenges, trustees must look beyond traditional planning to help their schools thrive in unknown futures. This session will explore how boards can embrace future-ready governance through the lens of generative scenario planning — a strategic tool for imagining multiple possibilities and guiding bold, mission-aligned decisions. Together, we’ll explore how foresight can fuel innovation, mitigate risk, and ensure long-term sustainability for independent schools. To view session details for the rest of the series, please visit our Building Better Boards page. Meet Our Facilitator
Mike Cobb is a visionary and results-oriented leader with a track record of successfully steering schools towards organizational excellence. With over 35 years of experience, he has served in various roles, including accomplished classroom teacher, division head, admissions/enrollment leader, and Head of School and was a key education leader in the forward-looking NEOM project in Saudi Arabia, where he created and implemented a professional development program for leadership, faculty, and staff. Previously, Mike served as the Head of School at All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler, Texas. Mike is also a co-founder of the Sandbox, an Innovative Think Tank where thought leaders share visions in a grown-up sandbox setting. He has served on boards, including the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) and Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA), as well as serving on task forces with National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and International Pathways (IP) and he has extensive accreditation experience. He has written and presented prolifically, and has advised boards and heads on topics ranging from equity to best practices in governance and leadership. Mike now serves as the Futurist in Residence at Forsyth Country Day School. Concurrently, Mike's work as the Senior Innovation and Organizational Excellence Strategist at Mission & Data is shaping the future of education and organizational strategy. His dual roles enable a cross-pollination of ideas between education and industry, fostering a holistic approach to innovation that benefits both sectors.
Series Overview
In this series of workshops, attendees will explore the role of trustee, and provide a space for board members to learn from national thought leaders, experienced board chairs, heads of school and association leadership.
Offered throughout the year, each workshop has a theme for board improvement and actionable steps to move your school forward. Previously this workshop was recommended for those new to the role, but feedback was that it was universally valuable. All independent school board members are encouraged to attend.
Making the Most of Building Better Boards
Attendees can register for individual workshops or your board can register for full access for the series. All registrations include access to session recordings. If you have registered individually, the recording is for your own reference and should not be shared. If you register as a board, you are welcome to share the recording with anyone affiliated with your school.
Registration
Registration is now open! This registration is for participating in an individual session. All registrations to individual sessions include access to the session recording and resource materials. Each registrant will receive emails before and after the session with access and resource links for their personal use. Access is non-transferable and
links should not be shared. If you would like full access to sessions and recordings for your school and board, please consider registering for School Wide Registration.
Pricing
Single Workshop Registration (Includes access to workshop, recording, and session materials*.)
Member Schools | $55 per session
Non-Members | $85 per session
* Links to recordings and materials will remain active until August 31, 2026, so they may be used and reviewed throughout the school year and summer.
Cancellation
Substitutions for registrations may be made any time prior to the session at no extra charge. Written cancellations received by 24-hours before the start time of the session are eligible for a refund after a $20 cancellation fee. Any cancellations received after the 24-hour window will be ineligible for refunds.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?Please feel free to reach out to any of us for the following:
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