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Cal-ISBOA
2025 Annual Conference

Sunday, May 4 & Monday, May 5, 2025
Claremont Resort & Club, Berkeley, CA

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 Now!

The conference features compelling topics such as:


  • ListServ Live: Bring your questions for an interactive session!
  • Emerging Legal Issues for California Independent Schools
  • Top 10 Financial Mistakes and Control Deficiencies: Prevention and Solutions
  • Impactful Budgeting and Dashboard Strategies for Schools
  • Financing Developments: Schools Large and Small Navigate a New Market
  • The ABCs of Boards Leading Schools to Success
  • AI in Education: A Guide for Business Officers
  • Take it to the Bank: Elements to Evaluate when Choosing a Bank
  • Navigating the Aftermath of a Disaster: Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness

See Full Session Descriptions Here

General Session Keynote

Urgent Optimism with Jane McGonigal

How often do you think about the future? Is what you imagine sunny or quite bleak? Or perhaps just a blank space, a void?


Futurist and game designer Jane McGonigal wants you to think about the future with intention and become resilient in the face of uncertainty through urgent optimism. Urgent optimism is not a fixed personality trait that only the lucky are born with. It is a mindset that can be built in even the world’s most anxious pessimists with practice and the proper tools.


In this high-energy, interactive talk, Jane will introduce you to the concepts of mental flexibility, realistic hope, and future power so that you can “unstick” your mind, find balance in the ups and downs, and discover the agency you have to make change. Through science-backed games designed by McGonigal herself, you’ll be asked to think about what could be different in the future and assess whether you are prepared for it.


You’ll learn fascinating insights on why our brains have such a hard time anticipating certain kinds of futures and the neuroscience behind removing those mental blocks in order to think the unthinkable and imagine the unimaginable so you can be ready for the next great disruption.

Hotel & Travel Information

The 2025 Annual Conference will be held at


Claremont Resort & Club

41 Tunnel Rd., Berkeley, CA 94705

Claremont Reservations

Discounted Room Block cutoff date is April 18 (or until our block is full) so book now!


Claremont Parking Details:

Discounted self-parking of $20/day. Overnight guests booked in the Cal-ISBOA room block will automatically get this rate. Day guests need to bring their white ticket to registration for a discount sticker.


Airport Information:

Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located 14 miles from Claremont Resort & Club. Travel time by car is approximately 23 minutes.


San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 25 miles from Claremont Resort & Club. Travel time by car is approximately 32 minutes.


Interested in more professional development? Don't miss the HR Workshop and Facilities Workshop on Sunday, May 4!

Meet Jane McGonigal of Institute for the Future


Jane McGonigal is a futurist, game designer, and bestselling author. As the Director of Game Research and Development at the Institute for the Future, her research focuses on how games are transforming the way we lead our real lives and how they can be used to anticipate hard-to-predict futures, ready ourselves for any future scenario, and increase our resilience and well-being. The games she designs, from world-renowned apps like SuperBetter to custom mini-games used in her interactive presentations, challenge players to tackle real-world problems such as their own symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain as well as larger societal issues including poverty, hunger, and climate change.


Her games have been used by organizations including the World Bank, the New York Public Library, the International Olympics Committee, and the American Heart Association. Combining decades of psychological and neurological research with extensive gaming expertise, Jane’s books bring to light the power that games have on us and the world at large.


Her newest book, Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything – Even Things That Seem Impossible Today, teaches us how to train our brains to think the unthinkable and imagine the unimaginable using the same tools she used to predict the COVID-19 pandemic. SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient, which debuted at #7 on the New York Times Advice bestsellers list, explains how we can cultivate resilience in everyday life by bringing the same psychological strengths we naturally display when gaming to our real-world goals. In her bestselling first book, Reality Is Broken: How Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change The World, Jane reveals how we can use the lessons of game design to fix what is wrong with the real world and ultimately make humans happier.


Jane is a two-time winner of the Association of Professional Futurists’ Most Important Futures Work of the Year award and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. She was named one of 50 people making the biggest impact in games by Game Developer Magazine and one of 20 most inspiring women in the world by O Magazine. She received her PhD in performance studies from University of California at Berkeley.

Overview of Conference Schedule


Sunday, May 4, 2025 

8:30am – 4:15pm                          HR Workshop (separate registration required)

9:30am – 4:00pm                  Facilities Workshop (separate registration required)

6:00pm – 7:00pm                          Welcome Reception (ticketed event that requires registration)

7:00pm – 9:00pm                          Annual Conference Kick-Off Dinner (ticketed event that requires registration)

Monday, May 5, 2025 

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

8:30am – 6:00pm                          Conference Sessions


2025 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. 

2025 Platinum Level Sponsor

IMA is an integrated financial services company focused on protecting the assets of our 250+ independent schools across the country through property and casualty insurance solutions, risk management, employee benefits and retirement solutions.


2025 Gold Level Sponsors

A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. has been the leading provider of tuition reimbursement insurance for nearly a century. Serving more than 1,200 leading independent schools across North America, The Tuition Refund Plan offers substantial protection for both schools and their families from the financial consequence of student withdrawals and dismissals.
CLA professionals understand education because we’ve been serving the industry for more than 50 years. Our CPAs and consultants are active members of national, state, and regional industry associations. We have the experience that independent schools need to navigate challenges and achieve long-term goals. Our distinctive approach combines a deep understanding of the independent school environment with proficiency in finance and operations. We meet you where you are — then help you get where you want to be.


The Clarity platform helps K-12 private schools attract, enroll, and retain today’s families. From financial aid and enrollment contracts to tuition payments and incidental billing, Clarity provides schools with a deeper understanding of their financial health, and is already helping over 1,000 schools align their financial strategy with their mission.

Stifel assists independent schools in all aspects of debt advisory services leading up to, during, and after a financing transaction. This includes debt capacity analysis, quantitative exploration of the optimal funding mix (capital campaign, reserve funds, long-term debt, bridge financing, etc.), and debt education for independent school Finance Committees and Boards. Stifel also assists schools in executing financings in the bank market (conducting RFP for bank bids and negotiating bank proposals) and in the public market (serving as bond underwriter and assisting in the credit rating process).

Poppy Bank has grown to $7 Billion in assets with branches throughout California and loan offices nationwide. Known for its commitment to providing the best products and services, Poppy Bank has garnered national recognition as the best business bank and is rated 5-stars by BauerFinancial Inc. for strength and security.
Pro Xtra is The Home Depot’s free loyalty program built just for Pros —providing members with exclusive benefits that help them save time, save money and get rewarded.


2025 Silver Level Sponsors


For over three decades, SAGE Dining Services® has been defining the standard in food service for independent schools and colleges throughout North America. SAGE's unparalleled expertise in nutrition, culinary trends, and community involvement produces exceptional dining experiences that delight the senses, inspire minds, and foster community. Learn more at sagedining.com.



City National Bank, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada, is the largest bank headquartered in Los Angeles with $94 billion in assets as of October 31, 2024. Founded in 1954, City National provides personalized banking, investment and trust services in select markets. In addition, the company and its investment affiliates manage or administer $103 billion in client investment assets. City National is dedicated to strengthening communities, and in 2023 alone, the company made more than $11 million in charitable contributions to nonprofits that support the communities it serves.

Epicurean Group is a division of Compass Group North America Food Service Management. We staff and operate restaurants and cafés, providing flexible dining options, including upscale TakeAway, Espresso Bars, and Concierge services. We are committed to managing, measuring, and improving our sustainable practices in our food service production, supply chain, and partnerships.


2025 Bronze Level Sponsors

For over 20 years, HBM Facilities & Operations Management has helped independent schools across California build retention-driven facilities teams that cut costs, enhance sustainability, and ensure seamless campus operations. We invest in people, creating high-performing facilities that support student success—without the headaches of inefficiency, high turnover, or reactive maintenance.

Moss Adams is one of the 15 largest public accounting firms in the United States and provides accounting, tax, and consulting services. Moss Adams is the business advisor of choice for more than 2,000 not-for-profit clients, including numerous independent schools. To learn more, visit www.mossadams.com

FACTS, a Nelnet company, supports over 12,000 organizations and 4 million learners with education technology and financial management solutions. Our tools enhance learning and strengthen schools’ financial stability. Learn more at FACTSmgt.com.

Armanino’s impactful solutions increase clarity and spark success. We bring deep industry experience and integrated services to help organizations reach peak performance today, providing data-based guidance to optimize operations and finances for tomorrow. No matter what’s next, Armanino has the insight and foresight to help you redefine what’s possible for your organization. Learn more at armanino.com.
John has been an insurance broker for 23 years and has focused on meeting the needs of California private schools for the last 12. He now provides insurance and risk management services to over 140 private and charter schools in the state.

First Student is the largest school transportation provider in North America with more than a century of experience providing safe and reliable transportation. We work with 1,330 customers in 43 states and 8 Canadian provinces carrying approximately 5.5 million students daily.

At Revolution Office, we’ve created a disruptive business model that guarantees 30-50% savings on copier/printer technology, even if you are in the middle of a lease.


Registration Fees

Annual Conference:

(includes sessions, breakfast, lunch, and reception on Monday, May 5)

Member Rate: $310 

Non-Member Rate: $395


Kick-Off Reception & Dinner:

(held on Sunday, May 4)

Member Rate: $125

Non-Member Rate: $175

Register Now!

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 16.
  • Cancellation requests submitted by March 26, 2025 will be granted a full refund, less a $25 processing fee. Cancellations received March 27- April 6, 2025 will be granted a refund of 50%. No refunds will be granted after April 6, 2025.
  • Please email transfer and cancellation requests to Membership Engagement Manager Peggy Marshall at peggy.marshall@isboa.org.

Thank you to the Annual Conference Committee!


  • Natalie Morales, Director of Finance, Chandler School, Committee Chair
  • John Amussen, Vice President of Finance and Operations, Chaminade College Preparatory
  • Steve Bajc, CFOO, Chinese American International School
  • Jane Davis, Associate Head for Finance and Operations, Archer School for Girls
  • Malika Densby, Director of Finance and Operations, Brandeis School of San Francisco
  • Brian Hollis, CFO, Curtis School
  • Jennifer Macias, Director of Finance and Operations, Sonoma Country Day School
  • Jerry Mullaney, CFOO, Head-Royce School
  • Karen Ortiz, VP of Finance, Notre Dame High School of Sherman Oaks
  • Sandi Pierce, Assistant Head for Finance & Operations, Cate School
  • Keith Powell, COO, The Athenian School
  • Linda Rabitoy, Director of Finance, Mayfield Junior 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



HR Certification Institute’s® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that Cal-ISBOA meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.



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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