Schedule & Session Descriptions

6:30am - 7:15am

Sunrise Hike - Claremont Hotel lobby

Join us for a leisurely paced sunrise hike to explore the natural surroundings and gorgeous views of the Bay Area, led by Claremont's Somatics Trainers.

Sponsored by our Platinum Sponsor, IMA Financial

7:30am – 9:30am

Registration & Breakfast - Empire Ballroom Foyer

8:30am - 9:30am

Welcome, Introductions & Warm-Up Activity - Empire Ballroom

9:30am – 11:00am

General Session Keynote - Empire Ballroom

Leadership Offense and Defense Strategies: Mastering Collaboration, Teambuilding, and Accountability

Paul Falcone

Building the muscle of your senior and frontline operational leadership teams is a wise investment that strengthens your people practices and culture. What makes managers excel lies in their ability to inspire, develop talent, and turn around flagging teams by creating a safe space for employees to do their very best work every day with peace of mind. Yet a “carrot” isn’t enough; operational leaders, senior executives, and business owners likewise need to know how to apply a proverbial “stick” from time to time in order to address substandard job performance, inappropriate workplace conduct, and other challenging situations that demand higher levels of employee accountability.

Join Paul Falcone to drive higher employee performance by:

• Engaging in constructive conversations that rely on employee recognition to build self-confidence or that require greater accountability and employee awareness, both in terms of performance and conduct.
• Employing the leader-as-coach model to build your leadership bench while addressing minor problems before they become major impediments.
• Building “team emotional intelligence” by creating and sustaining a culture based on trust, respect, and open communication.
• Engaging in tough conversations or formal progressive disciplinary interventions to reset expectations, accord due process, and structure terminations that will withstand legal scrutiny.
• Whether you’re looking to coach and mentor more successfully, to build stronger teams that thrive on recognition and an achievement mindset, or to address problematic performance or conduct challenges holding your organization back, this workshop will help you build managerial muscle and make it easier to confront problems head on and in a more strategic yet compassionate and supportive way.

11:00am - 11:30am

Break: Paul Falcone Book Signing & Newcomers Welcome - Empire Ballroom

11:30am - 12:30pm

Session Option 1 - Empire Ballroom

Navigating Leave Issues In The School Environment  

Grace Chan, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and Jessica Tam, Associate, Liebert Cassidy WhitmoreLiebert Cassidy Whitmore

This session will explore common leave scenarios faced by school employees, focusing on federal and state medical leave options such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), alongside issues related to pregnancy, sick leave, and leave during times of crisis. Through interactive case studies, we will identify typical challenges in managing employee leaves of absence, including eligibility criteria and the intersection of various leave rights. Additionally, we will address recent legislative changes that affect the administration of these leaves, equipping participants with the knowledge to navigate these complex situations effectively.

Session Option 2 - Skyline A

Retaining Top Talent - The New Normal

Angela Oliver, Director of HR, Sage Hill School, Sean Dwyer, Director of HR & Risk Management, Polytechnic School, and Michelle Jones, Director of HR, The Branson School

The Covid pandemic changed the landscape of how faculty think of their profession. Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z are not flocking to teaching careers as previous generations have. This session will engage the HR professional and provide strategies for this "New Normal". Rethinking how we retain top talent is necessary to change with the times we are in. This session will address:

• Improving employee engagement
• Giving back time - the most important commodity
• The importance of school culture and having a sense of belonging
• Competitive pay and benefits - what is your school doing to ensure your pay is competitive
• Using data to understand why faculty leave and stay - what and how to ask 
• Professional growth opportunities in your school - what does that look like in a lean organization

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Networking Lunch - Empire Ballroom

1:30pm – 2:30pm

Session Option 1 - Empire Ballroom

Back to Basics: Understanding California Wage and Hour Laws

Brian Walter, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and Julie Strom, Senior Counsel, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

The session focuses on fundamental wage and hour issues that can arise in various school operations, such as paying employees for extra duties, compensating walk-on coaches, classifying workers as contractors or employees, and determining stipend eligibility. This presentation will emphasize the importance of understanding new laws on pay transparency and reimbursement for equipment use to avoid costly wage and hour claims. Attendees will learn practical applications of these laws to effectively navigate these complex issues.

Session Option 2 - Skyline A

Benefits Excellence 2025: Strategies for Growth and Success

Stephanie Berger, President / Consultant, Centered Insurance Solutions

In this session, participants will explore four key areas of benefits. We'll begin by introducing essential insurance terminology and providing a clear understanding of the key components involved in designing and implementing an attractive benefits package. Next, we'll walk through a renewal checklist and share best practices for a successful open enrollment. We'll also cover current market trends and benchmarking data specific to private schools. Finally, we'll conclude with an overview of new and upcoming compliance regulations.

Participants will gain a basic understanding of insurance terminology, learn a structured process, and receive a checklist to streamline the renewal process. They will also learn how to analyze marketplace data and familiarize themselves with key compliance regulations.

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Break and Mentor Meetup - Empire Ballroom

3:00pm - 4:00pm

General Session - Empire Ballroom

AI as Your Superpower: Reclaiming Time for What Matters Most in HR

Rohan D'Souza, CEO, Avante

HR is about people: about creating connections, fostering culture, and driving meaningful impact for employees. But too often, HR teams are buried under administrative tasks, endless inquiries, and fragmented systems that leave little room for the work that truly makes a difference.

In this session, Rohan D'Souza, Co-founder & CEO of Avante, will explore how Al is becoming the ultimate superpower for HR teams, automating the repetitive, streamlining operations, and giving leaders back the time to focus on what matters most:

• Automating routine HR tasks and employee inquiries so teams can focus on strategy, not busywork
• Enhancing the human connection by enabling HR to be more present and proactive with employees
• Providing real-time insights into workforce needs, benefits utilization, and cost drivers-without the data overload
• Reducing complexity while improving employee experience with Al-powered guidance and support

Al isn't here to replace HR—it's here to empower it. Join this conversation to discover how the right Al tools can give your team back hours each week, helping you shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive, high-impact leadership.

4:00pm - 4:15pm

Closing Remarks - Empire Ballroom

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Group Activity: Private Historical Walking Tour - Claremont Lobby SOLD OUT!

The Claremont concierge team will guide you on a Historical walking tour where you'll hear some of their favorite stories from the past, and some interesting tales along the way.

Sponsored by our Platinum Sponsor, IMA Financial

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Welcome Reception & Annual Meeting Kick-Off Dinner - Garden Room