
BUILDING BETTER BOARDS
A Virtual Workshop Series
Seven Sessions Dedicated to Board Improvement
To register for individual sessions, follow links under Session Overview.

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* and resource materials.
If you have registered individually, the recording is for your own reference and should not be shared. If you register for the full series, you are welcome to share the recordings with anyone affiliated with your school.
* Links to recordings will remain active until August 31, 2026, so they may be used and reviewed throughout the year.
Session Overview
Follow the links below for more session information or to register for an individual workshop.
NOTE : All sessions will be either 60 or 90 minutes depending on the content and will begin at 12:00 PM PT / 1:00 PM MT
Session 1 | Wednesday, September 17, 2025 —12:00-1:30 PM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM MT
You Are A New Trustee… Now What?
This workshop will orient new board members to the roles, responsibilities and good governance practices of independent school trustees. Heads of school, new trustees, current trustees and board chairs, are all invited to attend.
with Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS—joined By Heads of School from Across the Association
Session 2 | Wednesday, October 29, 2025 —12:00-1:30 PM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM MT
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.
with Mike Cobb, Senior Innovation and Organizational Excellence Strategist, Mission & Data
Session 3 | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 —12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT
Building the Board’s Annual Agenda and Running Effective Board Meetings
A pragmatic look at the board’s guiding documents, and the preparation and facilitation of effective and engaging board meetings.
with Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS—joined By Heads of School from Across the Association
Session 4 | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 —12:00-1:30 PM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM MT
Generative AI in Education: A Strategic Foresight Exercise
This workshop uses
principles of strategic foresight to help board members and school leaders
imagine multiple, plausible futures that their schools could face in an AI
world. Following an update on the current state of generative AI and its impact
on education, participants will be moved into small discussion groups. Each
group will be provided a design brief and resources that will help them paint a
picture of a “plausible future” for what the school will look like in 2050.
Groups will consider both external factors like current research and data on AI
and internal factors like a school’s mission, strategy, and market. The groups
are encouraged to use generative AI as an assistant in developing their ideas.
The session ends with short presentations from each group.
with Eric Hudson, Facilitator and Strategic Advisor to Independent Schools, Learning on Purpose
Session 5 | Wednesday March 18, 2026 —12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT
Building and Developing Your Board
Strategies and practices for recruiting potential trustees and regular practices for building the board’s strategic capacity.
with Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS—joined By Heads of School from Across the Association
Session 6 | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 —12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT
What This Moment Affords Us: Opportunities in Equitable Governance Practice
Using the current NAIS guidance and long standing best practices, the session will explore opportunities for inclusive governance practices as well as recommendations for supporting the Head of School as they pursue this element of culture and mission.
with André Withers, 25-year independent school administrator, DEI expert and partner with Educators Collaborative
Session 7 | Wednesday, May 13, 2026 —12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT
Design for Culture
Discussing school culture can feel like tackling a shadow-ambiguous and elusive, yet central to a school's success. Many schools struggle with the healthy evolution of their culture due to a lack of clarity and honest assessment, leading to stagnation. This webinar employs a design thinking approach to help leadership gain fresh insights into your school's culture. Join us to identify and implement actionable steps that will effectively shape and enhance the culture of the school as a whole and of the board in particular.
with Greg Bamford and Antonio Viva, Leadership + Design

Registration
Registration is now open!
You may choose one of the following to register for this course:
To register for the full series, click here.
Pricing
Single Workshop Registration
(Includes access to workshop and recording*.)
Member Schools | $55 per session
Non-Members | $85 per session
School Wide Registration - (Available only to NWAIS Schools) | $750
(Includes access to all sessions and all recordings* for anyone affiliated with your school)
* Links to recordings will remain active until August 31, 2026, so they may be used and reviewed throughout the year.
Cancellation
Substitutions may be made for individual registrations any time prior to sessions 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.
Cancellations for school wide registrations are eligible for a refund after a $100 cancellation fee by September 15, 2025.

Still have questions?
Please feel free to reach out to any of us for the following: