Cal-ISBOA News

April 27, 2026

What a fantastic few days we had as we gathered together to connect with peers and business partners for this year's Annual Conference, Human Resources, and Facilities Workshops at the lovely Langham Huntington, Pasadena! 

Not only did we have record attendance at this year's event, but we rolled out several innovations this year like a new event App, a wellness experience, Cal-ISBOA Gives Back charitable giving, and new sponsor support programs that led to record community engagement too.

We had the distinct pleasure of hearing from two notable keynote speakers during the HR Workshop on Monday, April 20, including award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and business owner Catherine Mattice and nationally recognized expert on leadership, culture, and the modern workforce Eric Swenson.

After an incredible Welcome Reception & Kick-Off Dinner in the gorgeous Horseshoe Garden on Monday night, Annual Conference attendees heard from adviser, speaker, and the author of three books and much sought-after keynote speaker Charles Vogl, who led the group in a pivotal discussion about creating deep connection with community building fundamentals that we can use at our schools and in every facet of our lives.

It was a powerful and meaningful two days packed with authentic community connection and deep topical learning that supports our daily work. Members and sponsors shared their expertise in 17 other sessions across the two days.

The association's Annual Member Meeting was held during the Annual Conference lunch on Tuesday, April 21, during which we heard from Board leaders about an array of accomplishments and aspirations, celebrated outgoing Board members, announced Board and Bylaw election results, and honored this year's Martha Ambros Community Impact Award Recipient: Kathy Layendecker, Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations at Castilleja School. 

Thanks to Platinum Annual Corporate Sponsor Poppy Bank's generous support, we were able to provide a unique Mindfulness Experience that included resources to support busy professionals attending conferences that included Wellness Walks and a Community Corner featuring tactile experiences like puzzles, coloring books, colorful slime, watercolors, and guided mindfulness activities to support focus, increase mental clarity, and optimize adult learning. 

If you attended, please help us continue improving our programs by completing evaluations for the HR Workshop, Facilities Workshop and Annual Conference. If you missed it this year, we encourage you to consider joining us next year!

There were too many memorable moments to show them all, but here are a few special moments that were captured in photos that we think you'll enjoy. You can find more photos on our LinkedIn channel, and we invite you to share photos and memories from the events as well. Please tag Cal-ISBOA so your peers can enjoy them too!

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April 21, 2026

We are pleased to announce that the 2026 Election of the Cal-ISBOA Board of Directors has been completed and the Amended Bylaws have been approved. Thanks to our member schools for taking part in this important governance process! Read more about the new Bylaws and our newly elected leadership here. 

We welcome the following newly elected Board members for their first term, 2026-2029: 

• Chris Thomas, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Oakwood School, North Hollywood

• Jessica McCullagh, Director of Human Resources, The Archer School for Girls, Los Angeles

The Following Board Members were reelected to continue serving for a second term, 2026-2029: 

• Brian Hollis, Chief Financial Officer, The Curtis School, Los Angeles
• Natalie Morales, Director of Finance, Chandler School, Pasadena

For 2026-2027, our Board Officers will be:

• President: Ken Parr, Director of Finance & Operations, Carlthorp School, Santa Monica

• Vice President: Erik Paxman, Silicon Valley International School, Palo Alto

• Vice President: Natalie Morales, Director of Finance, Chandler School, Pasadena

• Treasurer: Deepika Nabar, Chief Financial Officer, Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose

• Secretary: Rebecca Rowland, Director of Human Resources, Campbell Hall, Studio City

Congratulations to all new and returning Board members! Thank you for your service to our community.

April 3, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Kathy Layendecker, Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations at Castilleja School, has received the 2026 MACI Award!

Named after Cal-ISBOA’s founding Executive Director, The Martha Ambros Community Impact (MACI) Award is given to a member of the California independent school community who has distinguished themself through their engagement in professional development activities, their connection with fellow members, and their impact within the Cal-ISBOA community. Consistent with Martha’s leadership, recipients will have transcended their role as an employee of an independent school by furthering the hallmarks of our association: collegiality, connectedness, integrity, and friendship within and across school communities.

Inaugurated in 2024, the Martha Ambros Community Impact Award is formally presented annually at the Cal-ISBOA Annual Meeting, which will be held on April 21, 2026 at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena.

Kathy Layendecker started her Independent School journey in 2005 as the CFO at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon. She went on to be the Interim Head of School for two years and then Associate Head of School. In 2012, Kathy left Oregon Episcopal School to become Head of School at Shattuck-St Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota. She arrived at Castilleja School in 2014, where she continues to serve as Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations. Kathy has also worked in the private sector as an investment banker at First Boston and Goldman Sachs, as a strategist for Harcourt General, and as a founding employee of IGN Entertainment.

Kathy served on the Cal-ISBOA Board of Directors from July 2016 through June 2022, culminating in her service as the President of the Board from 2020-2022, as well as numerous Committees throughout the years. During her time as Board President, she oversaw the strategic planning process as well as succession planning around Martha Ambros's retirement as founding Executive Director of the organization. Beyond her notable contributions to Cal-ISBOA, Kathy has served on the Boards of the National Business Officers Association (NBOA), Carey School, Avenidas, and the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP). She has also presented on Finance 101 at the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Trustee / School Head Conference, facilitated sessions at the CAIS Annual Meeting, and served on Pacific University’s Endowment Investment Committee.

About winning this year’s MACI Award, Kathy says, 

I have enjoyed being part of and contributing to Cal-ISBOA, and I am humbled and honored to be nominated by my peers and recognized by a community of educators I rely on, admire, and respect.

Betty Noel-Pierre, Head of School at Castilleja School, adds her congratulations and says, 

After such a long career in independent schools, it is fitting that Kathy has earned this distinguished honor. The Cal-ISBOA community has been an important part of her professional life, and her impact within that community and beyond deserves recognition.

Kathy joins the Cal-ISBOA Board of Directors and staff in encouraging our community to start thinking NOW about who you’d like to recognize with the 2027 award! Although we will not announce 2027 award nominations until after the first of the year, you may submit nominations for next year’s award at any time through this form:

NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES

Please send any questions about this award to Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi at scarlett.vanyi@isboa.org.

March 31, 2026

Cal-ISBOA is partnering with the experts at Inner Design to bring you a Mindfulness Experience at our spring gatherings in Pasadena. Wellness events and activities are woven throughout our schedule so that you can take advantage of the opportunities that work best for you. In addition to a guided Wellness Walk around the gorgeous property of the Langham Huntington each morning and on Monday afternoon, we will have a devoted Community Corner where attendees can take some time to unplug from stress, enjoy calming activities, and connect with each other. The Community Corner is a facilitated reset space for high capacity professionals navigating full days of learning, networking, stimulation, and transitions. It is a wellness space offering short nervous system resets and creative grounding practices throughout the conference day. This space supports regulation, clarity, and sustainable presence between sessions. We hope you'll check it out! 

Overview of Wellness Opportunities

Monday, April 20

7:00am - 7:30am Wellness Walk: Meet in Courtyard

7:30am - 5:00pm Community Corner Room Open: Wentworth Room

4:30pm - 5:00pm  Wellness Walk: Meet in Courtyard

Tuesday, April 21

7:00am - 7:30am Wellness Walk: Meet in Courtyard

7:30am - 4:45pm Community Corner Room Open: Wentworth Room

Brought to you by Platinum Annual Corporate Sponsor Poppy Bank. Poppy Bank is committed to providing the best products and services, which has propelled its success and garnered national recognition for performance. 

Inner Design is a mindfulness-based education and coaching platform led by Rubina Chadha, who is an educator, mindfulness leader, and creative coach with over 10 years of experience guiding artists, executives, and students to align their energy and purpose. Rubina’s programs have been featured by ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS.

  

March 23, 2026

Last week, our members had a regional gathering in Saratoga and another in Pasadena. Regional gatherings serve the important function of giving Cal-ISBOA members a chance to be together and share their triumphs and challenges more frequently than just during our annual in-person spring events. It's always a good time to connect with your fellow independent school professionals over some delicious food and refreshing beverages!

NorCal Members Gather at Saint Andrew's Episcopal School

Chief Financial Officer Najah Lowe of Saint Andrew's Episcopal School hosted a small but lively gathering of members in Saratoga last Thursday. Each person brought a unique perspective to the group, and their discussions ranged from the accounting tools, budgeting processes, and financial dashboards they use, to book recommendations and SB 848. Najah notes that it is nice to be reminded that all the members of our community are going through the same things in different ways, and that Cal-ISBOA colleagues can always share their resources, energy, and problem solving.

Pasadena-Area Members Break Bread Together

A small but collegial group of local schools from mostly within the Pasadena area met for a casual happy hour gathering last Thursday. The group spent time catching up on spring break plans, sharing updates, and talking through a mix of work and life, over some delicious beverages and appetizers. 

March 20, 2026

Cal-ISBOA is governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors who graciously serve our independent school community. The association holds an election in conjunction with the Annual Conference each spring to elect Board members for the new fiscal year. This year, the membership will also vote on the adoption of carefully considered Proposed Restated and Amended Bylaws.

The Governance Committee has recommended and the Board has approved this year's slate of candidates for presentation to the membership on the Ballot as follows: 

Officers for the 2026-27 fiscal year (One-year term): 

President: Ken Parr, Director of Finance & Operations, Carlthorp School, Santa Monica

Vice President: Erik Paxman, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Silicon Valley International School, Palo Alto

Vice President: Natalie Morales, Director of Finance, Chandler School, Pasadena

Treasurer: Deepika Nabar, Chief Financial Officer, Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose

Secretary: Rebecca Rowland, Director of Human Resources, Campbell Hall, Studio City

Re-election of Current Board Members to serve during the 2026-2029 fiscal years (second three-year term):

Brian Hollis, Chief Financial Officer, The Curtis School, Los Angeles

Natalie Morales, Director of Finance, Chandler School, Pasadena

New Board Members to serve during the 2026-2029 fiscal years (three-year term):

Chris Thomas, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Oakwood School, North Hollywood

Jessica McCullagh, Director of Human Resources, The Archer School for Girls, Los Angeles

Proposed Restated and Amended Bylaws As a California nonprofit corporation, Cal-ISBOA is governed by a set of Bylaws that were adopted in 2011 and last amended in 2017. Given that much has changed in the world since then, the Board tasked the Governance Committee with researching and recommending revisions to the Bylaws to provide for the association’s growth and evolution into the future.  This year, after many months of conversation, thoughtful deliberation, and work with legal counsel, the Board is pleased to present proposed Restated and Amended Bylaws for the Membership's consideration as recommended by the Governance Committee. The proposed Amended and Restated Bylaws will completely supersede the current Bylaws, which will be effectively eliminated with an affirmative vote for the amendments.  While the proposed Amended and Restated Bylaws greatly modernize and simplify our foundational document, shrinking it from 30 to six pages, absolutely nothing will change when it comes to the community camaraderie, high quality programs and offerings, and essential tools you’ve come to expect from your association.  This reduction has been accomplished through translating important concepts from “legalese” to plainspeak, removing antiquated and cumbersome provisions, and moving many policies and processes from the Bylaws to a Board Policy Manual. The new Policy Manual will be adopted by the Board during its April 19, 2026 meeting in preparation to serve as a companion to the newly adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws should Members vote to approve them. This will allow the Board to make policy changes as legal and organizational needs arise. The proposed Amended and Restated Bylaws approved by the Cal-ISBOA Board of Directors and recommended for your approval and other related documents are available for review on our website as follows: (i) Current Bylaws, (ii) Proposed Restated and Amended Bylaws, and (iii) a detailed summary of the changes . Please don’t hesitate to contact Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi if you have any questions or concerns. Timeline The election opened on March 20, 2026, and will conclude just before the Annual Members Meeting, which takes place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 beginning at 12:00pm at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena.

March 9, 2026

Though it was a cross-country journey, California was well represented in Orlando at the 2026 NBOA Annual Meeting once again this year, with both school colleagues and industry partners showing up in the Sunshine State last week to find inspiration and camaraderie with peers in independent schools. Many of our own beloved Cal-ISBOA leaders lent their expertise by presenting important topics.

While there were many valuable professional development opportunities, there was no shortage of socializing and fun. We hosted a totally packed house at our Tuesday Twilight ISBOA Reception cohosted with our BOA friends from MISBO, PAISBOA, Joffe Emergency Services, and Smith & Howard. We were so pleased to have so many members, sponsors, and supporters join us to raise a glass and share a bite together.

Above, left: Cal-ISBOA friends wrestling Florida alligators!

Above, right: Cal-ISBOA friends dining together at NBOA.

Below, left: Sandi Pierce (Cate School)

Below, right (from left):  Cal-ISBOA President Nicole Pennington, Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi, and Vice President Ken Parr.

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February 19, 2026

We are proud to announce that we have launched a new Cal-ISBOA Job Board! Like our previous Career Opportunities webpage, the Job Board allows Cal-ISBOA members to post jobs for free. Non-members and recruiting firms will be charged a fee for placement, which will support our community’s many initiatives and activities. This new Job Board improves job posting searchability and offers updated navigational functionalities like filtering by industry or employment type, all presented within an appealing, modern website aesthetic. 

Navigate to the Job Board through the primary menu on the Cal-ISBOA website. Please ensure that any active openings at your school are transferred to the new Job Board. The Career Opportunities webpage will be retired in the coming weeks.

We are excited to offer this new and improved benefit to our community!

February 17, 2026

While in Los Angeles, Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi was delighted to be able to see firsthand the incredible resilience of St. Matthew's Parish School in the wake of the devastating January 2025 wildfires. Director of Finance Trevor Mutch, Director of Human Resources Juana Ochoa, and Chief Operations Officer Cat Cecere invited Scarlett to tour the temporary facility they and the St. Matthew’s team assembled just 3 weeks after the outbreak of the Palisades fires.

The Water Gardens Campus offers St. Matthew’s students, faculty, and staff a true home-away-from-home complete with basketball courts, an outdoor playground, quaint spaces where students and faculty can gather, a band room, an art room, and a maker' space. The way they transformed an office park into a school campus is impressive. While school has been held at two temporary campuses for the past year, their Palisades Campus has undergone extensive cleanup and renovations that will allow a return this fall. We celebrate these heroic efforts to support and uplift the St. Matthew’s Parish School community and all schools affected by wildfires and other disasters, as they honor our shared commitment to students!

Below (left): Scarlett Vanyi and Chief Operations Officer Cat Cecere. Below (right): Director of Finance Trevor Mutch, Director of Human Resources Juana Ochoa, and Scarlett Vanyi. 

Below: An art sign and a hallway at St. Matthew's Parish School's temporary campus. 

February 17, 2026

Cal-ISBOA President Nicole Pennington isn't just focused on making gains during her own tenure, as evidenced by our many accomplishments in the first half of this year; she's looking ahead and stewarding the future of our organization!

In that spirit, Cal-ISBOA Vice Presidents Ken Parr and Erik Forbes Paxman and Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi (pictured left) attended the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) CEO Symposium in San Diego last week. There, they participated in intensive board development together and spent time sharing perspectives and strengthening their relationships to foster strong shared leadership for the future. We are looking forward to a very powerful, fun, and productive few years!