Annual Meeting & Conference 2026 Schedule, Session Descriptions, and Presenter BiosMonday, April 20 & Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Langham Huntington, Pasadena |
Monday, April 20, 2026 |
6:00pm - 9:00pm Welcome Reception (Courtyard) & Annual Meeting Kick-Off Dinner |
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 |
7:00am - 7:30am Morning Wellness Walk - Meet in the Courtyard Sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Poppy Bank Join the expert wellness staff of Inner Design for a guided, early morning wellness walk around the gorgeous property of the Langham Huntington, Pasadena. This easygoing walk is designed for nervous system regulation through sensory awareness.
7:00am – 3:30pm Registration - Viennese Foyer
7:00am – 8:30am Breakfast Buffet - Viennese Terrace / Ballroom
8:30am - 10:15am Welcome & Introductions and General Session Keynote - Viennese Ballroom Welcome from President Nicole Pennington, Conference Chair Natalie Morales & Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi Creating Deep Connection: Community Building Fundamentals Charles Vogl Discover why the most powerful community connections don't happen in big noisy spaces, they happen around the campfire. In this transformative keynote, bestselling author Charles Vogl reveals how intimate experiences create the vulnerable conversations that build lasting communities. Learn why arena-sized ambitions require campfire sized moments, and how to plan spaces where meaningful relationships form. You'll gain practical strategies to offer the time, proximity, and permission people need to connect authentically. Stop investing only in spectacle. Start building the intimate experiences where your community powerfully grows strong. 
10:15am - 10:45am: Break
Session Option 1 Confidently Navigating AI in the Business Offices Peter Frank (Interim CEO, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS)), Heather DeBlanc (Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore), an Expert from Clifton Larson Allen, an Independent School Business Officer, and a Moderator AI is reshaping business operations in independent schools, from budgeting and forecasting to compliance, procurement, and staffing. This session opens by outlining how AI is changing school business offices and what leaders need to prepare for now. Presenters will share practical examples, tools, and lessons learned from early adoption. Participants will explore how to evaluate vendors, strengthen financial controls, improve efficiency, and build responsible school policies. Leave with actionable insights, key questions to ask, and frameworks that help you confidently guide your school through the rapid evolution of AI. Takeaways include attendees' ability to:
Session Option 2 Is Your School Hitting It Out of the Financial Ballpark? Matt Gard (Partner, Armanino) and Bryan Vencill (Audit Partner, Armanino) Financial data is everywhere. Survey fatigue is real. With so much data available to you and your team, how are you prioritizing what matters most to the long-term financial stability of your school? We have analyzed thousands of private school audits and have identified the most critical KPIs for evaluating a school’s operating efficiencies, strategic flexibility and sustainability of the school. We will share with you the industry standard of expectation in these critical KPI areas and how schools become market leaders or best in class in each category. Learning objectives:
Session Option 3 Every Dollar Counts: How Schools are Controlling Employee Benefit Costs Brandi Murphy (Employee Benefits Broker, IMA Financial Group) With every budget dollar counting, independent schools are getting creative in how they structure their medical benefits to reduce cost without decreasing coverage. This session focuses on three case studies of California schools who reworked their benefit offerings to reduce costs and provides practical applications on how these same strategies can be applied to schools of all sizes.
12:00pm - 1:30pm Annual Meeting & Lunch - Viennese Ballroom
Session Option 1 Fraud Awareness & Cybersecurity Training for your School: From Threats to Action Maria Chan (SVP Nonprofit West Region Lead, City National Bank), Joe Scirdula (Fraud Training Specialist, City National Bank), Carolina McBride (Head of Fraud Operations, City National Bank), and Jensen Penalosa (Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Cyber and Digital Forensics, FBI Los Angeles) Business email compromise, impersonation scams and payment fraud aren't hypothetical risks—they're daily realities threatening school budgets and operations. This panel brings together cybersecurity and finance experts to help you identify your school's vulnerabilities and build stronger defenses. During the session, we will discuss some of the highest financial risks that schools face today as well as tools to mitigate your fraud risk. What You'll Learn:
Session Option 2 The ROI of Financial Aid: Maximizing Revenue and Enrollment Katie Gunderman (Chief Operating Officer, Clarity)When used strategically, financial aid is one of the most powerful levers schools have to strengthen enrollment and long-term financial sustainability. In this session, we’ll explore how schools are reframing aid as a strategic investment that delivers measurable ROI in both revenue and student yield. Through real-world examples and data-backed insights, you’ll learn how to right-size awards, avoid costly over-awarding, and align aid strategy with mission and enrollment goals. We’ll also discuss how to adopt a net tuition revenue mindset that enables every dollar to better support families and advance your school’s financial goals. Participants will learn:
Session Option 3 Listserv Live! Natalie Morales (Director of Finance, Chandler School)Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from others? This interactive session is your opportunity to ask burning questions, share challenges, and hear real-time solutions from fellow school colleagues. Just like posting on a Listserv—but live and dynamic! Key Takeaways:
Come ready with questions, ideas, and an open mind. Whether you’re troubleshooting a financial, operational, or HR hurdle, navigating new regulations, or refining processes, this session will provide practical, real-world takeaways to bring back to your school.
Session Option 1 Annual Legal Update for California Independent Schools Michael Blacher (Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore) and Grace Chan (Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore)The legal landscape for California’s independent schools never stops changing. Join us for a fast-paced overview of new laws, court decisions, and regulations shaping school operations in 2026 and beyond. From employment compliance and contracts to facilities and risk management, this session highlights the most significant legal developments affecting independent schools. Attendees will gain clear, practical takeaways on what’s new, what’s coming next, and how to keep their schools prepared, compliant, and out of legal hot water in an increasingly complex environment. Learning Objectives:
Session Option 2 Accelerate Your Summer Program Growth Nat Saltonstall (Executive Director and Founder, SPARC), David Sullivan (Senior Advisor, SPARC), and Sophia Rutkin (Director of Summer Programs, Chinese American International School) Considering how to leverage summer programs as a strategic driver of both mission and margin? This session will explore how to design, refine, and launch financially sustainable summer initiatives that maximize campus assets, strengthen enrollment pipelines, and extend institutional impact. SPARC Advisors, David Sullivan and Nat Saltonstall will offer national trends and best practices while Chinese American International School’s Director of Summer Programs, Sophia Rutkin, will offer the concrete steps the School has taken to be ready to launch. Through practical frameworks, case examples, and discussion, attendees will learn the key elements for summer program success. The workshop will equip participants with actionable insights to turn summer programming into a vibrant and profitable extension of their school’s mission. Learning Objectives:
Session Option 3 Resilient Leadership: Guiding Your School Through Crisis Mary Beth Ricks (Head of School, Bowman School)In an era of unprecedented challenges, school leaders must be anchors of stability and drivers of positive adaptation. This workshop, "Resilient Leadership: Guiding Your School Through Crisis," moves beyond mere survival. We will explore the core components of resilient leadership: maintaining personal well-being, fostering a supportive and connected staff culture, and communicating with clarity and empathy during uncertainty. Participants will gain practical strategies to navigate financial, social, or public health crises, turning moments of adversity into opportunities for strengthening their entire school community. This session is about leading not just through crisis, but stronger because of it. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Closing Reception - Viennese Terrace Join us to cap off yet another energizing annual gathering of the Cal-ISBOA community with our Closing Reception! Share your favorite memories and takeaways from the last day or two and touch base with your friends over light refreshments before we all return to our different corners of the state. |
Michael Blacher
Michael Blacher is a partner and Chair of the firm’s Private Education Practice Group. His practice is solely focused on representing California private schools. He brings passion and creativity to the practice of law and works collaboratively with clients to solve their most challenging and important issues. His approach is proactive and thoughtful. Michael works with schools on virtually every aspect of education law. He frequently advises boards on governance issues and administrators on employment and student matters. | Grace Chan
Grace specializes in education and employment law, risk management, and nonprofit governance, representing independent schools and nonprofits. She advises boards, school leaders, and HR professionals on mitigating risk and aligning operations with their mission. Her expertise includes employment agreements, policies, harassment claims, wage compliance, and employee discipline. She also counsels schools on student and parent issues, including enrollment, misconduct, privacy, and DEI considerations. Additionally, Grace provides guidance on nonprofit governance, fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, and governance documents. She helps clients develop best practices while navigating complex legal landscapes. | Maria Chan
Maria Chan manages the West Region for City National’s National Nonprofit & Institutional Banking Group and serves on the Board of CN Financing, Inc. She leads City National’s Tax-Exempt lending initiatives and oversees nonprofit education and healthcare clients. With over 25 years of international banking experience, she previously worked at Wells Fargo and Citibank. Maria holds degrees from Northwestern and USC. An active community leader, she serves on the Board of Vista Community Clinic and volunteers for children’s organizations. She has earned numerous awards, including City National’s Top Relationship Manager and North County Philanthropy Council’s ‘Volunteer of the Year.’ |
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Heather DeBlanc
Heather DeBlanc is the Chair of the firm’s Business and Facilities Practice Group. She practices education, construction, business, contract and employment law (with an emphasis in benefits), representing both nonprofit and public entity clients. Heather has been practicing construction law for over 20 years, advising clients as to appropriate project delivery methods, contracting, the construction process, and construction disputes. Heather assists project owners in developing and negotiating design professional agreements and construction contract documents. She is adept at identifying and minimizing risk in construction contracts because of her familiarity with the construction process. | Peter Frank
As an experienced executive of non-profit, professional associations, Peter make the needs of the members and community the top priority, which consistently grows both membership and revenue, which leads to more/better benefits and support for whichever community he is serving. He embraces new technologies and finds efficiencies wherever possible. Peter's comfort zone is within structure and organization, while he's learned to be flexible and responsive when needed. He typically become the "resident tech person", wherever he works. | Matt Gard
Matt Gard is a partner at Armanino, serving clients in the firm’s Audit practice. He has 20 years of audit experience and has worked with private schools throughout his entire career. Matt audits approximately 15 private schools on an annual basis and is a member of the firm's private school leadership team. Matt graduated with honors from Saint Mary's College of California with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a licensed CPA and a member of both the American Institute of CPA’s and the California Society of CPA’s. |
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Katie Gunderman
Katie is the Chief Operating Officer at Clarity, where she oversees the strategy, operations, and delivery of the platform schools rely on to streamline their revenue operations. Prior to Clarity, Katie spent 10 years leading operations in the private sector, where she guided organizations in enhancing operational efficiency and strategic planning to support their mission. With deep expertise in operational excellence and a passion for education, Katie is dedicated to building systems that help schools work smarter, and focus more of their time and resources on mission-driven priorities. Katie is based in Southern California with her husband and two kids. | Carolina McBride |
Natalie Morales
Director of Finance, Chandler School
Natalie Morales is a finance professional with over 20 years of experience across industries. She holds a BBA and an MBA in Finance. She has developed expertise in financial management, strategy, and operations through roles at CVS/Caremark, PepsiCo, Paychex, and KIPP Houston Public Schools. Her background enables her to drive efficiency and strategic growth. Outside of work, Natalie enjoys the outdoors, whether jogging, hiking scenic trails, or strolling along the beach. Her active lifestyle reflects her passion for adventure and well-being. |
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Brandi Murphy
Brandi’s career background as a former educator provides a unique insight into the culture and values of independent schools. After spending the first 10 years of her career as a teacher and school administrator, Brandi has spent the last 15 years on the business services side of education. As an employee benefits broker at IMA, Brandi brings a people-first approach to designing and managing benefits strategies for schools that are both cost-effective and technically sound. She partners closely with school leaders to navigate the complex world of insurance and compliance, while always keeping employees’ well-being at the heart of the conversation. | Jensen Penalosa Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Jensen Penalosa has been a Special Agent with the FBI since 2005. ASAC Penalosa is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Prior to entering on duty with the FBI, ASAC Penalosa was employed as a software engineer. From 2012 to 2017 ASAC Penalosa supervised Cyber Squads responsible for conducting counterintelligence and criminal cyber investigations in the Los Angeles area. From 2017 to 2020 ASAC Penalosa served as the FBI Liaison Officer to Department of Defense partners in Hawaii. From 2020 to 2023 ASAC Penalosa was assigned to the FBI Legal Attaché office in London where he coordinated the investigative and intelligence activities between the FBI and international partners. From 2023 to 2024 ASAC Penalosa supervised a Cyber Squad responsible for investigating state sponsored malicious cyber actors. In November 2024, ASAC Penalosa was named the ASAC for the Los Angeles Field Office's Cyber Investigations and Digital Forensics Programs. | Mary Beth Ricks
Mary Beth Ricks has been involved in both public and independent education for over 35 years as a teacher, division lead, Director of Curriculum, and Head of School. She has served the last 17 years as the Head of School at Bowman School in Palo Alto, Calif. and, in that time, has raised enrollment from 180 to 300 students, garnered accreditations from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the International Montessori Council (IMC), and brought innovative programs focused on experiential learning to the school. Bowman is a year-round, preK to 12th grade Montessori / IB program. |
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Sophia Rutkin
A proud San Franciscan, Sophia Rutkin has built her career on serving the youth of this great city. She received a Bachelors of Arts in History from Vassar College, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco. Through her work with Playworks, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, and the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, she has had the opportunity to develop and lead transformative summer and after school programs for over a decade. In her current role as Director of Summer Programs, she is building a comprehensive day camp program from the ground up—designing its vision, creating all programming, and managing every operational detail to bring it to life for the CAIS school community. | Nat Saltonstall
Nat Saltonstall is widely recognized as a leading expert in independent school summer and auxiliary programming, bringing more than 35 years of experience developing and directing high-performing programs at multiple schools and advising others through his consulting work. He currently serves as Executive Director of SPARC, the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative, the premier national organization supporting independent school auxiliary leaders through year-round professional development, benchmarking data, best-practice resources, and a vibrant peer community. Nat founded SPARC in 2016 as a national conference and has since expanded it into a comprehensive membership collaborative. | David Sullivan
While David Sullivan has served on the faculty of independent schools for many years, his career in education began as a teacher at a summer program. Over his 35+ years in schools, including two decades as a head, David has a successful track record of turning around struggling schools by improving programs and financial sustainability–especially through leveraging summer and auxiliary programs. A former Chair of an independent school accrediting association, David is interested in how organizations improve, clarify and attain strategic objectives, and develop leadership at all levels. |
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Joe Scirdula
Joe is a results-driven training and talent leader with a strong background in banking contact-center operations, coaching, and recruitment. Over the past decade he has built and led high-performing customer-facing teams, designed and delivered learning and development programs for both in-person and remote environments, and driven measurable improvements in quality, compliance, and new-hire retention. Joe combines a restorative, structure-minded approach to problem solving with hands-on execution — he designs the process, trains the people, then keeps colleagues engaged in a refreshing and impactful manner. | Bryan Vencill
Bryan has 15 years of experience in public accounting. His focus is on private education and works with 20 private schools annually. He has extensive experience in value-added initiatives, including industry best practices, key performance indicators, peer-to-peer benchmarking, and predictive analytics. Bryan graduated from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in business with concentrations in accounting and finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the California Society of CPA’s. | Charles Vogl
Charles Vogl is an adviser, speaker, and the author of three books, including the international bestseller The Art of Community, now in 2nd edition. He is a trusted thought leader for the Google School for Leaders, which develops over 20,000 Google managers. He is also a founding member of the Google Vitality Lab which navigates big challenges in health and wellbeing. His work is used to advise and develop leadership and programs worldwide within organizations including Airbnb, LinkedIn, Amazon, and the US Army. His work draws on three thousand years of spiritual traditions to understand how individuals build loyalty, strengthen identity, and live out shared values in a fragmented society. He holds an M.Div. from Yale, where he studied spiritual traditions, ethics, and business as a Jesse Ball duPont Foundation scholar.
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