New & Aspiring Leaders Institute | History

(formerly Fundamentals Conference)

2025

Elyton Hotel – Birmingham, AL
Attendees: 38
Sponsor: ISM
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Sessions & Speakers:

Building Connections & Setting Foundations, Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS, and Elizabeth Maglio, SAIS
Leading Self: Empowering Your Leadership Journey
- Self-Awareness Assessment, Rhonda Holloway, Six20 Partners
Leading Team & Others: Building Effective Teams
- Art of Gathering, Marsha Little, Carney Sandoe & Associates
- Art of Coaching, Scott Wilson, ISM
- Art of Managing Polarity, Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS
- Art of Decision Making, Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS
Leading Community: Fostering Connection & Collaboration
- Reflection, Elizabeth Maglio, SAIS
- Community Engagement Panel, Scott Schamberger, Indian Springs School, Cecil Stodghill, The Altamont School, and Kavita Vasil, Highlands School
- Dialogue Across Difference Framework, Trish Bogdanchik, The Mount Vernon School, and Dr. Stacey Lee, The Mount Vernon School
Leading Forward: Developing Your Growth Plan
- Plausible Futures, Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS
- Define Your Learning Agenda, Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS

Hyatt Place – Greenville, SC
Attendees: 27
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Sessions:

Scott Wilson: Leadership Self-Awareness
Imana Sherrill: Partnering With the Board: Boundaries, Culture, & Key Relationships
Cecil Stodghill: Building an Equitable & Inclusive Community
Toni Boyd: Financial Literacy Navigating Finance & Mission Alignment
Derrick Willard & Jack Hall: The Head of School Interview – Navigating Key Questions
Shannan Schuster & Scott Wilson (Moderators) + David Padilla & David Skeen (Panelists): Navigating Leadership: Insights From Heads
Grace Lee: Key Legal Insights
Casey Bell: The Tie That Binds: Align Your Advancement Efforts
David Padilla: Leading Teams & Building Culture
Shannan Schuster & Scott Wilson: Reflections & Moving Forward

Sponsor: ISM

Embassy Suites – Mt. Pleasant, SC
Attendees: 36
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Sessions:

Stephanie Rogen: Leadership Self-Assessment & Centering
Debra Wilson: Risk Management & Key Legal Issues
Palmer Ball: Independent School Finance
DuBose Egleston & Ken Hyde: Enrollment Management
Penny Abrahams & Phil Higginson: The Connection Between Your School’s Strategic Plan & Philanthropy
Sonja Taylor: Building an Equitable & Inclusive Community
Chris Lukach: Navigating the Minefield of Reputational Risk
Georgy Ann Peluchiwski: Governance: Building Shared Vision
Glyn Cowlishaw & Derrick Willard: Sponsorship, Mentorship, & Coaching
Stephanie Rogen & Georgy Ann Peluchiwski: Leadership Reflections

Sponsor: ISM

Westin Chattanooga – Chattanooga, TN
Attendees: 31
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Sessions:

Debra Wilson: Risk Management & Key Legal Issues
Heather Broadwater: HR Fundamentals: A Legal Perspective
Jennifer Osland Hillen: Fundamentals of Finance & Operations
Penny Abrahams: The Tie That Binds: Align Your Advancement Efforts
Mark Reed & Brian Wise: Building an Inclusive Community: The Building Blocks of DEI
Chris Lukach: Navigating the Crisis Communications Minefield
Sean Corcoran, Megan Cover, Jim McIntyre, Kristin Watts, & Scott Wilson (Panelists): Leadership Challenges & Successes

Sponsor: ISM