Date: October 17, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern
Type: In Person
Address: Crowne Plaza Ravinia 4355 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd Atlanta, GA 30346
This interactive session for heads and trustees will unpack how leadership, governance, financial sustainability, and organizational stewardship intersect. At the core of this work is mission-driven, data-informed decision making. Schools have always been complex organizations requiring deft guidance and careful oversight. However, the pandemic created conditions that even the most seasoned school leaders and trustees could never have imagined.
Emerging from a period of economic disruption, political polarization, and racial reckoning, the independent school landscape has shifted dramatically over the last 18 months. During this time, many schools focused on short term objectives in order to address the daily fires on their doorstep. Now, school leaders and trustees must balance the need for long-term planning to ensure school sustainability while also caring for an exhausted and frayed community. For many, this feels like tap dancing on marbles.
We will explore how to practically apply these concepts through the use of case studies, simulations, and group discussions. Participants will learn how to leverage effective leadership and governance strategies, such as change management and organizational savvy, to support their schools during this critical time of disruption.
Anne-Marie BalzanoSenior Governance Strategist, Mission & Data
Anne-Marie Balzano is Mission & Data’s senior governance strategist. In her role, she designs learning opportunities for heads of school and boards and leads the Board Chair Support Program. A former teacher, head of school, associate professor, and most recently, director of leadership and governance at NAIS, she possesses a unique and multi-leveled perspective of the educational landscape and the complex demands of supporting leadership and governance development across multiple contexts. Anne-Marie is a trusted advisor to schools across the country, facilitating board retreats and educating boards of trustees on effective governance practices, governance trends, polarity management, and building a positive board culture. She earned her bachelor’s degree from American University and her doctorate from Mills College.
Ari Betof Co-Founder & Partner, Mission & Data
Ari Betof is Mission & Data’s co-founder & partner. He is a nationally recognized expert in independent school financial sustainability and organizational stewardship. Ari has served as an independent school trustee, head of school, director of institutional advancement, director of enrollment management, director of strategic planning, and faculty member. He has been an instructor in University of Pennsylvania’s PennGSE Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Leadership Master’s Program. He has served as a mentor in Harvard University’s School Leadership Program and faculty member in the NAIS School Leadership Institute. Ari earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania with a focus on financial and organizational sustainability and MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management where he was an Emerging Markets Institute Fellow.
NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Please use the above hotel link to secure your reservation directly with the Crowne Plaza Ravinia.
Providing a safe environment for learning is top priority. We must all work together to achieve this. As of September 1, the number of attendees is being limited to make sure that we can provide adequate distancing and spacing in the meeting rooms.We want to keep you safe and healthy. All participants will be asked to:
We understand everyone has varying comfort levels and personal situations that may lead to different decisions at this time. If you are unable to comply with the above requirements, we will be happy to refund your registration fee or discuss other accommodations. Please complete this form as soon as possible to let us know your circumstances.A few other things to know about conference logistics and protocols:
As COVID-19 guidelines continue to shift, we will monitor the numbers and adjust accordingly. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we navigate returning to the in-person events that are so important to the fabric of the SAIS community. If you have any questions, please email lori@sais.org.
Participation in SAIS events signifies an attendee’s acknowledgement of infectious and other diseases and voluntary assumption of the risk of exposure or infection by attending the event. Attendees agree to comply with all guidelines and procedures, including distancing and/or masking, that may be implemented by SAIS, in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and other public health authorities.
Cancellations received before October 7 via this form will be refunded less a 20% processing fee. After that date refunds are no longer available, but replacement registrants are welcomed. In the event that SAIS cancels the event, attendees will be notified and the cost of registration will be refunded via the original payment method.
Registration, attendance at, or participation in SAIS meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to SAIS’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videos, electronic reproductions, and audio of such events and activities.
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December 8, 2021
June 21, 2022 - June 24, 2022
Engage with other heads and spouses at this energizing and nurturing retreat offering thoughtful dialogue on key issues facing heads of school. Led by Rob Evans and Michael Thompson.
October 27, 2021
Michael Nachbar and others from his GOA leadership team will discuss how they’ve created a student-focused competency-based grading system, what insights they have gained from data to deepen how and when they spot student struggles, and how they provide additional student support.
