REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Brave Voices: Creating Inclusive Cultures, Michelle Buck
Teams, schools, and organizations thrive when all voices are welcomed and leveraged in conversations that matter. Success is dependent upon inclusive environments where individuals feel valued and safe to speak up about innovative ideas, problems or concerns, and diverse perspectives. However, research documents that employee engagement and productivity decrease in the presence of “organizational silence”, the ubiquitous phenomenon in which individuals often have legitimate incentive to stay quiet rather than speak up. This session identifies ways leaders can build inclusive cultures, grounded in individual and organizational values, which encourage courageous conversations, thereby enhancing motivation and performance. This session provides workshop opportunities for real-life application.  

The Paradox of Leadership: No Easy Decisions
Timothy Dohrer
As a school leader, none of the decisions you will be faced with will be easy. This session will explore three protocols for processing decisions so you and your team can employ these strategies to help move forward with positive momentum as you work through tough decisions. Participants will practice these protocols using school-based case studies.

Navigating Board Dynamics, Meagan 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 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 practical strategies in the journey of becoming an anti-racist organization. Pulling from his experience as director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Poly Prep, (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. Often, these leaders have not had significant management or business training in specific skills like 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. Participants will explore opportunities for aligning school finances more closely with their mission to support fundraising and board discussions and governance.
 

ISACS invites Leadership Academy participants to attend a dinner at Beatrix - Streeterville, 671 N. St. Clair Street, Chicago on Monday, June 26 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 2023 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 Mile, 165 East Ontario, Chicago, which is located less than two blocks from the Northwestern University's Chicago Campus. The special rate is: $230/night plus tax (single or double occupancy) for the nights of June 25, 26 & 27. If availability allows, the hotel will honor extended reservations three days before and three days 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 Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at midnight central and before the room block reaches capacity. If you have a problem securing the rate, please email karen@isacs.org.

ALERT - Hotel Accommodations Scam
ISACS does not reach out to attendees and sponsors directly to book hotel rooms. To book a room at the ISACS group rate, only use the discounted group rates posted above or communicated with you via emails from info@isacs.org. If you receive calls or emails from third-party companies, do not provide these solicitors with any personal information including but not limited to making new or changing existing reservations and do not provide your credit card. If you have any doubt about the information that you are receiving regarding any ISACS room blocks, please email or call us at programinfo@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.

Health & Safety Protocols
Academy attendees will be required to adhere to the Northwestern University COVID-19 policy for events. Currently, masking is optional in most University spaces and showing proof of vaccination is no longer required. Please visit the Northwestern University Expectations for Meetings and Events webpage for specific details and check for updates as the Leadership Academy approaches. ISACS will provide updates and will alert attendees of any significant changes.