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CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference 2025
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8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Senior Leadership Session 2: AI and the Future of Advancement
Ai and how it is changing the future of advancement. Our campuses are exploring the applications and the boundaries of Ai in the classroom but what role can it play or should it play in advancement? This session will discuss what school leaders need to know about Ai and Advancement as we move into a new era of possibilities.
Speakers: Andrew Weller, Andrew Esparza, Nikki Morrell, Director of Annual Giving, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Senior Leadership Session 3: Accessibility and Affordability of the Independent School Model
Schools only have so many levers to pull when it comes to our business model. Increase enrollment? Increase tuition? What is auxiliary revenue? Philanthropy has the potential to fuel accessibility and stability for our schools. Join us for a conversation with leading minds on rethinking the independent school business model and the importance of philanthropy.
Speakers: Kevin Yaley, Head of School, Francis Parker School, Peter Baron, Founder, MoonshotOS, Mark Mitchell, Vice President, Access & Affordability, National Association of Independent School, Alex Heiberger, Vince Watchorn, Trustee, Community Preparatory School
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Senior Leadership Session 1: The Integrated Advancement Model in Schools
In a challenging independent and international school landscape, and in dynamic and fast-paced school environments, it’s incumbent upon school leaders to maximize return on investment in advancement. The “advancement model” is one solution to ensuring an outstanding external affairs program at your school. While many schools claim to work on the advancement model, few lean into all it offers. Learn from industry experts about how to generate significant impact through strategic collaboration among your development, alumni, communication, and enrollment offices.
Speakers: Rachael Beare, Associate Head of School for External Affairs, Tabor Academy, Kate Barnett, Director of Community Relations, Melbourne Grammar School, Maureen Leming, Clive Watkins, Director of Institutional Advancement, American School of Paris
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Senior Leadership Forum
The Senior Leadership Forum sessions will include industry experts on the following topics: Integrated Advancement Model, AI and How it is Changing the Future of Advancement, and Accessibility and Affordability of the Independent School Model.
*Separate registration required
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST
Welcome and Opening Keynote: Futureproof Yourself: Innovate and Thrive in Times of Uncertainty
The new normal of consistent change is leaving leaders concerned about being left behind. Instead of implementing half-baked, panic-driven ideas...it's time to identify the Easter eggs the future has left for us. In this talk, technology futurist Crystal Washington will show you and your team how to innovate, thrive and enjoy the ride. In this session, you will:
• Understand the gifts the future really has to offer, allowing you to shape and manipulate for your ultimate outcomes.
• Identify the most under-utilized Easter eggs of innovation...which you already have in your basket.
• Create a framework to future-proof your career and organization...and avoid getting scrambled.
• Understand the gifts the future really has to offer, allowing you to shape and manipulate for your ultimate outcomes.
• Identify the most under-utilized Easter eggs of innovation...which you already have in your basket.
• Create a framework to future-proof your career and organization...and avoid getting scrambled.
Speakers: Crystal Washington, Futurist and Author
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
A Matter of Trust: How the Advancement Office builds and affects trust in schools
In this session, we will delve into the pivotal role of the advancement office in mitigating the erosion of institutional trust affecting education as a whole and independent schools amidst contemporary societal challenges. Against the backdrop of polarizing political climates, evolving parental expectations, and varied perspectives on the goals of education, we will examine how these factors - exacerbated by the ubiquity of social media - contribute to heightened skepticism and distrust. We will explore these dynamics and discuss strategies for advancement professionals to proactively build and sustain trust. By highlighting successful initiatives in transparent communication, ethical fundraising practices, and community engagement, attendees will gain practical insights to strengthen institutional integrity and resilience in an increasingly complex and skeptical environment.
Speakers: Phil Consuegra, Vice President, Development and Strategic Initiatives, Don Bosco Technical Institute, Jennifer Devine, Director of Donor Relations, St. Paul's School
Competencies: Relationship BuildingIntegrity and Professionalism
Experience Level: All LevelsAll Levels
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Engagement: Building Authentic Alumni Relationships thru Data-Driven Insights
Engagement is the name of the game, and the critical question every Development office should regularly ask is: "Is the work we are doing deepening authentic relationships within our community?" Join us for an insightful session that delves into the Donor Engagement Cycle and its ultimate impact on growing philanthropic support. We’ll focus on one key donor segment – alumni – sharing innovative ideas and practical strategies that underscore the “value-add” for alumni, and are applicable to K-8, K-12, and development offices of all sizes.
Discover an enhanced approach to capturing and analyzing key metrics, enabling you to identify trends and make data-driven, strategic decisions. Participants will gain valuable insights and walk away with actionable ideas to deepen relationships with alumni, driving lasting support for your school.
Discover an enhanced approach to capturing and analyzing key metrics, enabling you to identify trends and make data-driven, strategic decisions. Participants will gain valuable insights and walk away with actionable ideas to deepen relationships with alumni, driving lasting support for your school.
Speakers: Catherine Voeks, Vice President | Independent School Sector Lead, The Compass Group, Inc., Maria Graceffa Taylor, Director of Alumni Relations, Flint Hill School
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseRelationship Building
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
What your New CAOs Need to Thrive
Wondering what your new chief advancement leader needs to thrive in your organization? It's not what you think. We have been training new-to-school advancement professionals since 2018 through the CASE School Advancement Institute, and year after year, our comprehensive training leads us to the same conclusion: the nuts and bolts are good, but your leadership is a must. Clarity, goals, accountability, and education are critical for them to thrive. And just like we give them a road map for their success, we'll give you yours too.
Speakers: Shara Freeman Hoefel, Assistant Head of School for External Relations, Francis Parker School, T. Mark Aimone, Director of Advancement, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Christina Holt, Director, Institutional Advancement, Episcopal High School, David Smith, Director of Development, Saint Ann’s School, Amy Smucker, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, Berwick Academy, Brent Caburnay, The John G. Levi Director of Development, Francis W. Parker School, Jen Fifer, Director of Institutional Advancement, The Episcopal Academy
Competencies: Emotional IntelligenceLeadership
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
When to stay and when to go: Making the Right Career Choices
Eileen Savage, Christine Pina and Clark Wight have had exciting and robust careers as they juggled balancing family, careers and community life. These nonprofit professionals will offer career-making-and breaking-observations for both candidates and hiring managers. They will describe how they decided to stay put, and how they knew when to leave some of the nation's cutting edge independent schools and complex nonprofit organizations. Each will present an exclusive history of how they navigated their careers, reinvented themselves and kept it healthy, lively and fun.
Speakers: Jackie Sullivan, Senior Vice President, Lindauer, Eileen Savage, Chief Advancement Officer, Cranbrook Educational Community, Clark Wight, President, The St. Paul's Schools
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseLeadership
Experience Level: Level 3All Levels
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Major Trends in Philanthropy
Explore the latest insights on philanthropy to independent schools and what they predict for the next phase of advancement work for your institution.
Speakers: Ann Lefeve Snyder, Senior Director, Communities Engagement, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Competencies: LeadershipStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All LevelsAll Levels