ISCA Annual Governance Conference 2026

ISCA Annual Governance Conference

February 10, 2026
12:00 – 4:00 pm ET

(virtual via Zoom)

Designing the Path Forward
The Board’s Role in Leading with Strategy

Conference Overview

Effective governance requires boards and school leaders to work in true strategic partnership—using strategy as the shared framework that aligns vision, guides decision-making, and strengthens institutional leadership.

In today’s rapidly changing independent school landscape, the board’s ability to lead with strategy—not simply plans—has never been more essential. This conference explores why effective planning must be rooted in strategy and how a clear value proposition, aligned vision, and disciplined strategic choices provide the foundation for long-term institutional strength.

Starting with a keynote on the purpose and power of strategy, the sessions that follow will unpack the qualities of an effective strategic planning process, what distinguishes a meaningful strategic plan from a tactical one, and the practical steps for assessing or launching your own planning effort. The conference concludes with a panel of Heads and Board Chairs sharing case studies of strategic plans in action, offering real-world insights into the opportunities and challenges of strategy-led governance.

2026 Agenda

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
12:00 – 4:00 pm ET

12:00 – 12:10	Welcome to Designing the Path Forward Bethany Di Napoli, ISCA Executive Director
12:10 – 1:00	Why We Plan: Strategic Planning That Drives Real Change Nishant Mehta, Founder and President, Mehta Cognition
1:00 – 1:10	Break
1:10 – 2:00	What Good Looks Like: Planning for Distinction and Relevance Moira Kelly, President, EXPLO
2:00 – 2:50	Putting it into Practice: Practical Steps to Assess Your Current Plan and Plan for a New One Crystal Land and Antonio Viva, Partners, Leadership + Design
2:50 – 3:00	Break
3:00 – 3:50	Strategy in Motion – Case Studies of Strategic Plans Driving Leadership and Governance Facilitators: Lee Dieck and Lynn Wendell High Meadows School – Lisa Baker, Head of School and Javier Estrella, Former Board Chair Other schools to be announced
3:50 – 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 or the Head of School. Registration fee includes Board Chair with up to 2 guests.

“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.”

John PetermanRetired Head of School, Brookwood School, Manchester, MA