Developing an intentional risk culture
Designing the Path Forward
The Board’s Role in Leading with Strategy
ISCA Annual Governance Conference
SAVE-THE-DATE
Conference Details Coming Soon!
February 10, 2026
12:00 – 4:00 pm ET
(virtual via Zoom)
Featuring Keynote Address
by NAIS President, Debra Wilson
Developing an Intentional Risk Culture to Align with Mission and Vision
Pre-Conference Session
“Emerging Areas of Risk Facing Independent School”
January 15, 2025
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
Presenters: Caryn Pass, Venable, LLP and Ronald Wanglin, IMA
Conference Highlights
Conference Highlights
2026 Agenda
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
12:00 – 4:00 pm ET
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Welcome to Navigating TomorrowBethany Di Napoli, Executive Director, ISCA |
| 12:15 – 1:10 | KeynoteDeveloping an Intentional Risk Culture to Align with Mission and Vision |
| 1:10 – 2:00 | Concurrent SessionsAssessing and Improving Risk Culture The Risk Management Cycle and Assessing Your Own School’s Risks |
| 2:00 – 2:10 | Break |
| 2:10 – 2:45 | Breakout SessionsHow to Incorporate Risk Management into your Board’s Infrastructure K-8 Day – Julia Yzaguirre, CFO and Adena Smith, Board Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee, Turning Point School, Culver City, CA |
| 2:45 – 2:55 | Break |
| 2:55 – 3:45 | Concurrent SessionsImplementing Your Board’s Risk Management Work: Moving from Reactive to Proactive School Insurance Policies: Key Insights for Board Chairs |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Reflections and Next Steps |
| 12:00 – 12:10 pm ET | Welcome Bethany Di Napoli, ISCA Executive Director |
|---|---|
| 12:10 – 1:10 pm | What Makes a Great Board and Embracing a Growth Mindset In this first session we will discuss important aspects of high-performing teams and how this translates to your board. We will also delve into the importance of operating with a growth mindset. |
| 1:10 – 1:20 pm | Break |
| 1:20 – 2:30 pm | Enhancing Authenticity, Trust, and Psychological Safety In this second session, we will discuss what authenticity is , why it is important, how it is the foundation of trust and psychological safety, which leads to a strong team. |
| 2:30 – 2:40 pm | Break |
| 2:40 – 3:40 pm | Embracing Sweaty-Palmed Conversations and Appreciation In this third session, we will discuss why it can be challenging but so important to embrace difficult conversations and have them effectively. We will also talk about the power of appreciation and how it impacts engagement, morale and loyalty. |
| 3:40 – 3:50 pm | Personal Reflection/ Commitment |
| 3:50 – 4:00 pm | Recap/ Close |
Who Should Attend?
Board Chairs are encouraged to bring 1-2 additional guests to the conference that could be fellow trustees, Head of School or Administrator. Registration fee includes Board Chair with up to 2 guests.
Plan to invite other leaders from your Board and your HOS so you can participate as a team!
“After Nancy and I attended the ISCA conference, our working relationship took on a new level of empathy for our respective jobs. We came away with a renewed passion for professionalizing the structure of our Board and the day to day work of the committees. The ISCA conference helped us understand the necessity of changing the old independent school model of Board leadership and committee work to a vibrant and engaging professional model which continues to serve the school well to this day.”
Mike Robbins
Author, thought-leader, executive coach
Mike Robbins is the author of five books, including his latest, We’re All in This Together: creating a culture of high performance, trust and belonging. He’s an expert in leadership, teamwork, and culture who works with some of the top organizations in the world. His corporate clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Schwab, eBay, and many others. He’s also worked with and spoken to leaders within public and private educational institutions for over 20 years. He and his work have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, as well as on NPR and ABC News. Mike hosts a weekly podcast and his books have been translated into 15 different languages.