Leaders as Catalysts
MICHELLE BUCK
This session will examine the ways leaders engage and inspire others through their communication. “Leadership communication” includes not only what leaders say, but also what they do not say, how they convey their message, what they do, and what message is intended vs. actually perceived by others. This session takes the position that successful implementation of any strategy depends on successfully engaging the stakeholders and creating the conditions that maximize their performance. In addition, we will examine how to deliver potentially unpopular communications in order to generate engagement—even when there is little agreement—and how to navigate resistance.

Cultural Polarity & the Power of Networks in Schools
CYNTHIA COBURN
School leaders often know intuitively how information travels and how “things get done” outside of formal structures and meeting environments, which depends on relationships amongst faculty and staff with regards to trust, expertise, and the nature of relational ties. In this session school leaders will explore a formal social network analysis and apply the concept to a desired transformation such as the implementation of an instructional or diversity initiative. Participants will leave with a map of their school and a structured way to think about the roles played and an understanding of how they can purposely leverage the social networks in their schools.

Navigating Board Dynamics
MEGAN KASHNER
Today’s independent schools and their board members face a changing environment with increased competition, sophisticated donors, and the need to address the challenges of today while planning for the future. How can leaders change their approach to help board members react to this environment more effectively and provide leadership that supports their school? Participants will uncover best practices and critical principles for effective boards and understand the potential pitfalls and importance of a successful partnership between staff and the board.

Race, Racism & Structural Oppression Work in Independent Schools
OMARI KEELES
This session will offer strategies in the journey toward becoming an anti-racist organization. Pulling from his experience as director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Poly Prep, an independent school in Brooklyn, NY, as well his years of experience as assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Northwestern University’s Searle Center for Advanced Learning and Teaching, Keeles will begin with a discussion of the systems and structure of oppression in our society that create barriers to equity. Participants will then explore challenges and opportunities specific to the work of leaders of independent schools.

Finance & Accounting for Leaders
MARIAN POWERS
Many independent school leaders have moved into leadership because of their commitment to the mission of the organization, but often these leaders have not had significant management or business training in specific skills such as financial management.This session will address the key principles of financial management including understanding financial statements and the trends represented by the numbers, predicting the financial implications of managerial decisions, and learning to work more effectively with financial executives.

Theory of Change: Refocus to Reset Program Strategy
MICHELLE SHUMATE
Independent schools have been called on to plan, react, and re-plan at an unprecedented pace in the past few years, which can leave leaders feeling reactive and frenzied. In this session independent school leaders will have the opportunity to refocus on the theory of change at the core of their mission and their work. This session will offer insights on how a theory of change can keep work with all stakeholders grounded while evolving to meet changing internal and external challenges. Participants will develop a roadmap from strategies to resources to impact that supports consistency in a rapidly changing world.

ISACS invites Leadership Academy participants to attend a dinner at Beatrix - Streeterville, 671 N. St. Clair Street, Chicago on Monday, June 27 at 6:30 pm. The cost of the dinner is included in registration. Beatrix is walking distance from the hotel and the meeting location. During online registration you will be prompted to RSVP for the dinner.

Registration Confirmation Communications
When registration for the Academy has been completed, the following communications will be sent:

• An automatic confirmation email will be sent to the registrant as well as an invoice.
• Approximately three weeks prior to the Academy, ISACS will send a confirmation email to the registrant with details for the Leadership Academy.
• Additional communications also will come directly from Kellogg, including pre-readings and instructions on how to access to the 2022 Leadership Academy Canvas site, Health and Safety Protocols, parking details, etc.
• If you do not receive these emails prior to the Academy, please contact Karen Zeitlin at karen@isacs.org. It is possible your email address was entered incorrectly OR your registration was not completed.

ISACS has secured a discounted room rate at the Courtyard by Marriott Magnificent, 165 East Ontario, Chicago, which is located less than two blocks from the Kellogg School Center’s downtown campus. The special rate is: $205/night plus tax (single or double occupancy) for the nights of June 26, 27 & 28. If availability allows, the hotel will honor extended reservations one day before and one day after the Academy.

To make a reservation:

• Call the hotel directly at (312) 573-0800, press 2 for reservations, and mention the group name ISACS.
• Visit the ISACS Leadership Academy Courtyard by Marriott Reservations Webpage to book your room online.

Reservations must be made by Monday, June 6, 2022 and before the room block reaches capacity. If you have a problem securing the rate, please email karen@isacs.org.

View the directions to the Courtyard by Marriott, public transportation and parking options. The Leadership Academy location is just a short walk from the hotel.

***Complimentary Parking: Daily & Overnight*** from Kellogg
Kellogg will provide registrants with additional details on complimentary daily and overnight parking at nearby garages via email as the Academy approaches. Please note, if parking overnight at these garages, you will have to exit and re-enter the garage daily and receive validation each day at no expense to you.  

Parking: Courtyard by Marriott
Self-parking is available at the InterPark garage located at 614 N. Saint Clair, which is attached to the hotel. The current overnight self-parking rate is $57/night OR $59/night with in/out privileges. This rate is subject to change. View InterPark rates here.
 

Your safety and well-being are essential, and we are committed to holding a safe event. Academy attendees will be required to adhere to the Kellogg Executive Education COVID-19 Safety Protocols. Please visit the Executive Education webpage for specific details and FAQs and check for updates as the Leadership Academy approaches. ISACS will continue to update the information below.
 
The following is an excerpt from the Executive Education webpage, updated March 21, 2022:

• Based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as university, government, and health entities, we have carefully established protocols designed to promote a healthy environment for our faculty, staff, participants and visitors.
• Participants in our classroom programs will be required to be fully vaccinated OR complete COVID-19 testing prior to arrival and during course of the program.
• Masks are not required
• We will continue to monitor all CDC guidelines and may adjust our requirements if conditions change. Please review this page and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before your arrival on campus for more details and any additional updates. If you have questions, please contact Kellogg at execed@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 

 Additional questions can be directed to karen@isacs.org