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!