Headways

2026–2027

Headways: Charting Your Leadership Course

  Questions? Visit our FAQs or contact programinfo@isacs.org.

 Overview

The term HEADWAY migrated from nautical language into everyday English in the mid- eighteenth-century. In the world of boats, headway refers to the forward motion of a boat through the water. If a ship continues on its desired course, it is said to MAKE HEADWAY.  

Boats make headway despite stormy seas, strong cross-currents and perhaps leaky vessels. Newer seafarers often look to more experienced captains for guidance because the naval veterans have sailed the same seas, weathered storms, and repeatedly made landfall.  

This is what the HEADWAYS: Charting Your Leadership Course program is all about. The Headways program assists new school heads in adopting a forward-looking and energetic leadership posture in their early years of headship.  

Tailored for ISACS heads of school in their first five years of headship, Headways provides learning and support from expert leadership professionals and peer colleagues. Led by former school head Lou Salza and executive director Anne Stavney, this series of six group meetings (four virtual and two in-person) creates a confidential forum for discussion, affinity, and connection. 

 Speakers

Lou SalzaLou Salza, MEd

Lou Salza, MEd retired in July 2018 after serving schools for 45 years. Most recently he served as head of school at Lawrence School (OH) and Assets School (HI). Prior to serving as a head, Lou served as vice principal, teacher, tutor, supervisor, and division head. His board service includes the National Association of Independent Schools, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Glen Urquhart School (MA), Ohio Association of Independent Schools, and the Learning Disabilities Network. From 2009-2019 he served as group facilitator at the Harvard Principals Center’s Summer Leadership Institute for mid-career principals and heads. Lou currently serves on the Hawken School (OH) board of trustees.

Anne StavneyAnne Stavney, PhD

Anne Stavney joined ISACS as Executive Director in July 2026. Anne previously served as the Head of School at the Blake School (a PK through grade 12, coeducational day school of 1,320 students and 315 faculty and staff) in Minneapolis, MN, since 2012. In that capacity, Anne initiated meaningful curricular and programmatic change, championed diversity and inclusion, and excelled at fundraising, which enabled seven capital projects and a doubling of Blake's financial aid endowment. Prior to her tenure at Blake, Anne's independent school teaching experience began at her alma mater, Lakeside School in Seattle, WA where she served as Middle School Director and Assistant Head of School. Additionally, Anne has higher education experience, having been an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Tulsa and an English Instructor at the University of Washington. Anne has served on the ISACS Board, chaired the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC), and led numerous accreditation visiting teams for ISACS over the past 14 years.

 Fee & Features

Fee: $600 per person

The $600 registration fee for ISACS members includes four, 75-minute virtual group meetings. In addition, we invite you to join us for two in-person meetings–one at the Annual Conference and one at the Heads Conference. Headways participants receive discounted conference registration.* 

*Registration Discount
Headways registrants will receive a 25% discount on 2026 Annual Conference & 2027 Heads Conference registration. Separate registration for each is required. Discounts will automatically be applied during conference registration. 

 Meetings

Virtual Meetings

All meetings take place from 1-2:15 p.m. CT/ 2-3:15 p.m. ET.

  • Thursday, September 10: Setting Sail
  • Thursday, October 8: Taking a Different Tack
  • Thursday, March 11: Weathering Stormy Seas
  • Wednesday, May 19: Making Landfall 

In-Person Meetings

Conference registration is discounted for Headways participants.*

  • Thursday, November 5 • 10:30-11:45 a.m. ET • Detroit, MI
    ISACS Annual Conference: Adjusting Parent Expectations in the Age of Amazon & 24/7 News
    Presented by Anne Stavney and Lou Salza
  • Wednesday, January 27 • 5-8 p.m. CT • Chicago, IL
    In-person dinner & program before the 2027 Heads Conference
    Facilitated by Anne Stavney and Lou Salza

 Who Should Attend

  • Heads in their first five years of headship
  • Experienced heads who are new to their current school or new to ISACS
  • Interim heads & heads elect

ISACS may remove a registrant from an event if they do not follow the ISACS Policies & Disclaimers for Professional Learning Events.