Trustees and Heads of School from NYSAIS Member Schools
NYSAIS Member Schools can reach out to our support team at
support.nysais.org with any questions regarding this series.
Presenter: Debra Wilson, National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Date/Time: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Join NAIS President Debra Wilson as she highlights the key influences and data directions impacting independent schools this year.
Presenter: James P. Honan, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Date/Time: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Explore the knowledge, skills, and capacities trustees need to govern for financial sustainability—and specific strategies to get there.
Presenters: Maeve Riley, CCS Fundraising & Bob Weston, CCS Fundraising
Date/Time: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Practical insights for building a culture of philanthropy and leading successful campaigns in today’s landscape.
Facilitators: Georgy Ann Peluchiwski, Greenwich Leadership Partners &
Stephanie Rogen, Greenwich Leadership Partners
Date/Time: Thursday, December 11, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Note: For current & incoming board chairs only. Not recorded.
A facilitated peer conversation on the issues confronting board chairs.
Presenter: Amada Torres, NAIS
Date/Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Timely insights on demographics, admissions, philanthropy, workforce dynamics, and the head–board relationship.
Presenters: Georgy Ann Peluchiwski & Stephanie Rogen, Greenwich Leadership Partners
Date/Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Note: Not recorded.
Approaches and practices for making succession planning a continuous strength of governance.
Presenter: Megan Mann, Approach
Date/Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Governance and risk issues trustees should watch—from enrollment agreements to crisis management.
Presenter: Greg Bamford, Leadership+Design
Date/Time: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Five critical conversations to have before you launch strategic planning—and how to gauge readiness.
Facilitator: Lynn Wendell, Independent School Governance Expert
Date/Time: Thursday, May 7, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Note: For current & incoming board chairs only. Not recorded.
Recognize and meet your board’s needs in unexpected moments of leadership.
Presenter: Antonio Viva, Leadership+Design
Date/Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Stages of change and practical levers trustees can apply to implement and sustain strategic shifts.
To accommodate busy schedules, webinars will be recorded and available to registered schools and their trustees until June 30, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
Debra Wilson is the President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and co-author of the NAIS Trustee Handbook (10th & 11th editions). Previously President of SAIS and NAIS General Counsel.
Independent School Trends Trustees Will Navigate This Year | Sept 18, 2025
Senior Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education; faculty at Harvard Kennedy School; consultant on strategic planning, governance, and resource allocation across education and nonprofit sectors.
Executive Vice President at CCS Fundraising; guides large-scale development initiatives and principal giving strategies for education and nonprofits.
Senior Vice President & Independent Schools Practice Lead at CCS Fundraising; decades of experience leading transformative campaigns and advising boards.
Principal & Founder, Greenwich Leadership Partners; consultant, coach, facilitator to boards and leaders; guest lecturer at UPenn GSE; extensive nonprofit governance service.
Board Chair Roundtable I | Dec 11, 2025 · Everyday Succession Planning | Feb 12, 2026
Vice President of Studies, Insights & Research at NAIS; expert on market/demographic trends, governance & leadership, community well-being, and financial sustainability.
Founder, Approach; former NAIS General Counsel & VP of Legal Education & Support; focuses on governance leadership, legal education, risk, and crisis management.
Co-founder & partner, Leadership+Design; former associate head (strategy & innovation) and head of school; frequent speaker and contributor.
Governance consultant to 150+ schools & nonprofits; former board chair at San Francisco University High School; ISCA program committee co-chair.
Partner, Greenwich Leadership Partners; former board chair, treasurer, and finance chair at Latin School of Chicago; extensive governance leadership.
Board Chair Roundtable I | Dec 11, 2025 · Everyday Succession Planning | Feb 12, 2026
Partner, Leadership+Design; former head of school; experience designer and strategic advisor; prior executive director of Artisans Asylum.