ENROLLMENT IS OPEN!

(This conference is only for ISACS Members)

Each participant must have a contact record in the system prior to registration.
Each participant must register themselves individually for the conference.
There are no group registrations or discounts for this conference.

Questions regarding the Conference?
Contact the ISACS Professional Learning Team at programinfo@isacs.org.

True leadership means breaking down silos and creating something greater than any one of us could achieve alone. Leadership is strongest when shared.
We can build bridges together.

Great leaders know impact grows when we lead together. Collaborative leadership is more than cooperation—it’s openness, trust, and respect in action. It turns conflict into creativity. It transforms silos into shared purpose. It ensures every voice is heard and every idea has value. When leaders across roles join forces, they unlock potential no one could reach alone. Collaboration isn’t just working side by side—it’s building something bigger, bolder, and better together. Join us for a 2-day event to learn specific strategies for building bridges across differences while leading in collaboration and commUNITY.

Who Should Attend
Division Heads & Other Independent School Leaders.

Location
The conference will take place at the Kimpton Gray Hotel, 122 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL

Date & Times (listed in Central time)
To maximize the impact, we hope participants will make plans to participate in the conference in its entirety. We need your insight and your voice!

• Wednesday, February 4
  6:30–7:45 p.m. Pre-Conference Informal Conversations (optional event for those who arrive early)

• Thursday, February 5
  8 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
  9 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Sessions & Lunch
  4–5:45 p.m. Choose Your Own Adventure
  6–7 p.m. Reception for all participants

• Friday, February 6
  7:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
  8:15 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sessions & Lunch 
  
  

Complete Schedule of Events

Wednesday, February 4

• 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. | Pre-Conference Informal Conversations for Division Heads
  For participants who arrive on Wednesday evening, we invite you to join us for an informal and engaging conversation among division heads. This is a great opportunity for new and experienced division heads to ask questions, share resources, discuss challenges and successes while making connections with others in similar roles. Members of the ISACS Administrative Service Committee will facilitate the discussions, and there is no charge for participation.  Appetizers and soft drinks will be provided. Participants may choose to continue their conversations over dinner at the restaurants of their choice.
  
  
• 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. | Pre-Conference Informal Conversations for Inclusion Practitioners & Other Independent School Leaders
  For participants who arrive on Wednesday evening, we invite you to join us for an informal and engaging conversation among inclusion practitioners and other independent school leaders. This informal gathering is an opportunity to share resources, discuss challenges and successes while making connections with others in similar roles. Members of the ISACS Equity & Justice Committee will facilitate the discussions, and there is no charge for participation. Appetizers and soft drinks will be provided. Participants may choose to continue conversations over dinner at the restaurants of their choice.

Thursday, February 5

• 8 – 9 a.m. CT | Registration & Breakfast
• 9 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome
• 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Independent Schools: The Power of Pluralism, Eboo Patel, Interfaith America
  Fostering respectful dialogue and navigating polarities are responsibilities that weigh heavy on many school leaders right now. How, in the current social and political climate, can we build bridges of cooperation rather than creating further barriers that divide us and create space for people to voice ideas and opinions while balancing our obligations to nurture students’ well-being and safety? What are the next steps?
• 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Break
• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Continuing the Conversation with a Facilitated Fireside Chat, Eboo Patel, Interfaith America & ISACS School Leaders
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Buffett Lunch  
• 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | Navigating laws, Regulations & Orders Concerning DEI, Sean LaPorta, McLane Middleton  
  Join a thoughtful discussion focused on identifying recent trends concerning legislation impacting DEI initiatives and what it means for independent schools. Included will be an overview of federal law and executive orders as well as trends at the state level. Practical considerations will be addressed concerning how independent schools can ensure they remain in compliance with laws and regulations.
• 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. | Choose Your Own Session
  • 'Making Waves': Youth Fight for Asian American Studies (Again), Josh Chuck, Filmmaker
    Join Documentary Film Director Josh Chuck as he shares impactful excerpts of his latest film 'MAKING WAVES: THE RISE OF ASIAN AMERICA' (2025) and gives commentary and holds Q&A. Participants will leave having witnessed the generation of trailblazing activists who founded Asian American and Ethnic Studies, and be inspired to see today's youth, who continue to fight for Asian American Studies in their communities, 50 years later. Despite opposition up to the highest levels of government, they are daring, creative and will not be deterred from their mission. 
  • Consulting with Colleagues
    Practice a powerful and effective consulting protocol to gain insights into your own leadership challenges as you also provide insights to others. Practice a protocol you can use immediately back at school. 
• 4 – 5:45 p.m. | Choose Your Own Adventure
  • Moments at the Museum: A Visit to The Art Institute of Chicago
    Step away from your leadership role into the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago. Tour alone or with colleagues. Take some time for yourself—you will not regret it! An ISACS staff person will walk participants to the museum for this ticketed event. Pre-register to attend the Art Institute during online registration. No additional fee is required.
  • Refresh & Recharge
    You may choose to enjoy the city on your own or with friends: shop, walk, exercise, read or rest – treat yourself, and then mingle with colleagues at the hotel’s complimentary wine hour, hotel lobby, 5–6 p.m.
• 6 – 7 p.m. | ISACS Networking Happy Hour
  Gather with colleagues at the Kimpton Gray Hotel for wine and appetizers. Although participation is included in the registration fee, pre-registration for the Happy Hour is required.

Friday, February 6

• 7:30 a.m. CT | Regisration & Breakfast
• 8:15 a.m. | Welcome Day 2: Working Together!
• 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Exploring the Facets of Leadership Conversations, Abigail Wiebenson, Executive Coach
  How you speak is how you lead. The work of intentional and successful leadership involves inviting, creating and navigating a range of conversations with yourself and others that clarify, resonate and bring about traction and forward momentum for teaching and learning. Given the unsettled nature of our country and our world, the work of leaders is especially important. You play a pivotal role for providing honest exploration of identities and values that underpin trusting relationships. Our interactive time together is an opportunity to collectively talk about how to maintain flexibility, nimbleness, and resiliency as we willingly broach complicated conversations equipped with a useful toolbox. Identify and discuss the many verbal and non-verbal variables that constitute a leadership conversation. We’ll also celebrate successes.
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch
• 12:30 – 2 p.m. | Preparing for & Practicing Breakthrough Conversations, Abigail Wiebenson (continued)
  Harness those variables by practicing breakthrough conversations that you create based on your experience, using a 10-step model. We’ll close the day debriefing what we’ve covered and how it might be useful as you collaborate in your leadership going forward, using another reliable tool.   
• 2:00 p.m. | Closing Thoughts
• 2:30 p.m. | Conference Concludes
  
  

Presenters

Eboo Patel is a civic leader, speaker, and author advancing the notion that diversity is a treasure and cooperation across our difference is the key for everybody to thrive. Recognized as “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, he is the founder and president of Interfaith America, the nation’s leading interfaith organization. Under Patel’s leadership, Interfaith America has grown into a $20 million-per-year organization that partners with governments, universities, businesses, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. His impact extends to serving on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, delivering hundreds of keynote addresses, and authoring five influential books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. A Rhodes Scholar and Ashoka Fellow, Patel earned a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University.

Abigail Wiebenson became a leadership coach more than a decade ago following her 19-year headship of Lowell School in Washington, DC. Her practice includes coaching individual school leaders as well as leading Mastermind Groups across the country comprised of department chairs, administrative teams, heads and middle managers. For the past two years she's been one of the coaches-in-residence at the NAIS Annual Conference.

Josh Chuck is a fourth-generation resident of San Francisco's Chinatown, where his family has deep roots, including doctors, merchants, teachers, and pastors. With over 25 years of experience as a youth worker, self-taught filmmaker, and fundraiser, he is deeply committed to his community. He co-directed his first feature documentary, CHINATOWN RISING, alongside his father, Rev. Harry Chuck, and has presented the film to over 300 audiences, as well as national broadcast and streaming. More recently, he co-directed the film Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, which premiered in March, 2025 at SXSW EDU in Austin, TX. Chuck takes great pride in the rich history of activism in his community and is passionate about sharing these vital stories. He is currently in production on two other documentary projects sharing unique and important community stories taking place in San Francisco.

Sean LaPorta works on a broad array of litigation matters, including work before State and Federal Courts as well as before various boards and governing bodies. LaPorta is an associate in the Education Law Practice Group at McLane Middleton and focuses on serving the needs of both students and educational institutions as they navigate legal and practical issues. He has extensive experience working with small to large educational institutions, where he provides advice and analysis on a wide variety of issues, including employment and board of trustee policies. He provides services regarding employment contracts, waivers, compliance, risk analysis, and navigating state and federal laws.

ISACS Policies & Disclaimers

During online registration, you will be prompted to acknowledge the ISACS Policies & Disclaimers for Professional Learning Events. ISACS reserves the right to revoke the registration and end the participation of any registrant, school, or school community that does not follow these policies and disclaimers.