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Cal-ISBOA
2024 Annual Conference

Sunday, May 5 & Monday, May 6, 2024
The Garland Hotel, North Hollywood

The Cal-ISBOA Annual Conference Committee is designing an outstanding program for independent school Business Officers, staff, and other school leaders. The conference will offer valuable perspectives and information to propel your school's strategic thinking and support the team in facilitating  smooth and successful daily operations. Join us to connect with your California colleagues to share experiences and insights and nurture  relationships with other independent school professionals operating within our state's unique regulatory, legal, and economic environment.

REGISTER HERE

Preliminary Topics

The conference will feature a variety of compelling topics such as:

  • Listserv Live!: Bring your questions for an interactive session
  • Getting it Built Part 1: Navigating Your Next Capital Project – From Financing to Finishes
  • Getting it Built Part 2: Budgets, Bids and Land Use, oh my!
  • Sleep Better at Night: Handling and Mitigating Risk at Independent Schools
  • How to Handle Head Transitions
  • DEI: An Investment in the Whole School Community
  • Emerging Legal Issues for California Independent Schools
  • Critical Technology Concerns for the Business Office: AI, Cybersecurity, and Data Protection (oh my!)

Session Descriptions, Schedule, Room Assignments and Presenter Information


General Session Keynote

with Roni Habib, Founder of EQ Schools

Joyful and Effective Leadership: 

Applying Positive Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, and Mindfulness to your life and work


Connections matter more than anything.  Effective leaders understand that.  And in this dynamic keynote, you will gain tools to bring more joy, connections, and meaning to your work and life, and learn how to enhance your ability to courageously and effectively lead. You will experience actionable practices that can create a culture that values the wellbeing of staff and students and that leads to bottom line results. Topics such as Social Attunement, Self-Regulation, Self-Management, Empathy, Stress-Reduction, Effective Communication, and the role of Play and Joy in schools will be covered. These concepts are research based, grounded in the science of the fields of Positive Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, and Mindfulness. This will be a highly interactive, energetic, and experiential keynote so get ready to have some fun!

Hotel & Travel Information

The 2024 Annual Conference will be held at


The Garland Hotel

4222 Vineland Avenue

North Hollywood, CA 91602

For details about this historic property and to book your room at the discounted rate of $229/night plus tax in the Cal-ISBOA room block click the buttons below.


Please note that the reservation cut-off date is Thursday, April 11, 2024 or sooner if our block fills.

The Garland Hotel

Book your room at The Garland Here

Interested in more professional development? Don't miss the HR Workshop and Facilities Workshop on Sunday, May 5! 


HR Workshop


Facilities Workshop


Meet Roni Habib and EQ Schools

Roni Habib is a speaker, author, and wellness expert who specializes in helping school leaders, educators, and parents become happier, more resilient, more playful, and more connected to their purpose. Roni founded EQ Schools following a 15-year career as an Economics and History teacher during which he experienced a student tragedy and the all-too-common educator burnout. His personal journey led him to discover the power of integrating wellness strategies into his life and work. This transformation was so impactful in Roni’s life that he felt called to share his epiphany with the world.

Since 2016, EQ Schools has taught and inspired thousands of teachers, principals, superintendents, administrators, business leaders, and parents to thrive at work and at life using skills rooted in the fields of Emotional Intelligence, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, Leadership Development, and Neuroscience.

Roni lived in Israel and Belgium prior to earning his Masters of Education and teaching credential at Harvard University. Roni now speaks and leads workshops in schools and organizations all over the world. His insightful and dynamic keynotes leave audiences laughing, elevated, and inspired to take action to create a more joyful and psychologically safe climate where adults and students can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Tentative Schedule


Sunday, May 5, 2024 

8:30am – 3:30pm                          HR Workshop (separate registration required)

11:00am – 3:30pm                        Facilities Workshop (separate registration required)

4:00pm – 5:00pm                          School Biz Appointment Hour (By invitation only, more information coming soon)

6:00pm – 7:00pm                          Welcome Reception

7:00pm – 9:00pm                          Annual Conference Kick-Off Dinner 

Monday, May 6, 2024

7:30am – 8:30am                          Registration & Breakfast Served

8:30am – 8:45am                          Welcome and Introductions

8:45am – 10:15am                        General Session: Joyful and Effective Leadership

      Roni Habib, Founder of EQ Schools

10:15am – 10:45am                      Break

10:45am – 12:00pm                      Breakout Sessions 

12:00pm – 12:15pm                      Break

12:15pm – 1:30pm                        Annual Meeting and Lunch

1:30pm – 1:45pm                          Break

1:45pm – 3:00pm                          Breakout Sessions 

3:00pm – 3:15pm                          Break

3:15pm – 4:30pm                          Breakout Sessions 

4:30pm – 6:00pm                          Closing Reception 


2024 Annual Corporate Sponsors

Cal-ISBOA thanks the following Annual Corporate Sponsors for their generous support that helps underwrite the cost of providing Cal-ISBOA members with affordable access to up-to-date professional development opportunities in a relaxed, collegial environment. Thank you!

Visit Sponsor Page




Clarity is transforming the financial aid landscape through an intuitive, mobile-friendly platform that simplifies the application process and enhances administrative efficiency. It empowers schools with unparalleled support and technology, ensuring a smoother, more accessible financial aid experience for both administrators and families.


Our goal is to make educational dreams possible through service and technology. We offer standalone or fully integrated best-in-class products and services such as tuition and fee billing, financial needs assessment, online admissions management, and school information systems.












Registration Fees

Annual Conference:

(includes sessions, breakfast, lunch, and reception on Monday, May 6)

Member Rate: $295 

Non-Member Rate: $375


Kick-Off Reception & Dinner:

(held on Sunday, May 5)

Member Rate: $110

Non-Member Rate: $160

Cal-ISBOA accepts Visa and Mastercard (preferred) or check; we are unable to accept American Express. 

Substitution and Cancellation Policy

  • Substitutions and/or registration transfers may be made among members at the same school any time prior to the conference. Please note that dinner menu selections can only be modified until April 19.
  • Cancellation requests submitted by March 20, 2024 will be granted a full refund, less a $25 processing fee. Cancellations received March 21- April 1, 2024 will be granted a refund of 50%. No refunds will be granted after April 1, 2024.
  • Please email transfer and cancellation requests to Membership Engagement Manager Peggy Marshall at peggy.marshall@isboa.org.

Thank you to the Annual Conference Committee!


  • Jane Davis, Assoc. Associate Head for Finance and Operations, Archer School for Girls, Committee Chair
  • John Amussen, Director of Finance and Business Operations, Marlborough School
  • Steve Bajc, CFOO, Chinese American International School
  • Natalie Morales, Director of Finance, Chandler School
  • Jerry Mullaney, CFOO, Head-Royce School
  • Diane Isola, CFO, Crystal Springs Uplands School
  • Sandi Pierce, Assistant Head for Finance & Operations, Cate School

Please contact us for more information or questions:


Annual Conference Registration:

Peggy Marshall, Membership Engagement Manager 

peggy.marshall@isboa.org

818-731-0342, ext. 701


Corporate Sponsorship:

Scarlett Vanyi, Executive Director 

scarlett.vanyi@isboa.org

818-731-0342, ext. 702




Cal-ISBOA is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit shrmcertification.org

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