Schedule

8:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

9:00

Welcome

9:15

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, allow people to share ideas, and protect students’ well-being and safety? What practical steps can we take next?

10:15

Break

10:30

Continuing the Conversation with a Facilitated Fireside Chat
Eboo Patel, Interfaith America & ISACS School Leaders

11:30

Buffet Lunch

12:30 p.m.

Navigating Laws, Regulations & Orders Concerning DEI
Sean LaPorta, McLane Middleton  
Join a discussion on recent trends in legislation impacting DEI initiatives and what they mean for independent schools. The session will cover federal and state laws, executive orders, and practical steps schools can take to stay in compliance.

2:15 

Choose from:

Making Waves: Youth Fight for Asian American Studies (Again)
Join documentary director Josh Chuck for excerpts from his film Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America (2025), along with commentary and a Q&A. See how trailblazing activists founded Asian American and Ethnic Studies—and be inspired by today’s youth continuing their fight, boldly and creatively, 50 years later. Despite opposition in the highest levels of government, they will not be deterred from their mission. 

Consulting with Colleagues
Practice a powerful and proven consulting protocol to gain insights into your own leadership challenges while helping others. You can use this protocol immediately in your school.

4:00

Choose Your Own Adventure:

Moments at the Museum:
A Visit to The Art Institute of Chicago
Take a break from your leadership role and visit the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago. Explore on your own or with colleagues. An ISACS staff member will escort participants to the museum.

This ticketed event requires pre-registration during online registration, but there is no additional fee.

Refresh & Recharge
Take some time to enjoy the city—shop, walk, exercise, read, or relax—then join colleagues for the hotel’s complimentary wine hour in the lobby from 5–6 p.m.

6–7 p.m.

ISACS Networking Happy Hour
Join colleagues at the Kimpton Gray Hotel for wine, appetizers, and conversation.
This event requires pre-registration, but there is no additional fee.

7:30 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

8:15

Welcome Day 2: Working Together

9:15

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

Buffet Lunch

12:30 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

Closing Thoughts

2:30

Conference Concludes