2026 Summer Conference: Business, People, & Leadership
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
192 Haywood StreetAsheville, NC 28801
United States
Connect. Collaborate. Influence.
The MISBO Summer Conference is leveling up, designed to bring independent school leaders together in a way that feels purposeful, personal, and powerful. This year’s focus on Business, People, and Leadership transcends functional silos to create bold conversations and real solutions for today’s schools.
Get ready to meet multiple decision-makers from the same school, because this conference is built for meaningful connections
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Human Resources
- Business & Finance
- Finance Officers
- Facilities & Operations Directors
- Technology Leaders
- Academic Leaders
- Aspiring Business Officers
HRCI Credit
MISBO is a recognized provider of recertification credits. HR Certification Institute® pre-approved this program for credits towards aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification.
SHRM Credit
MISBO is recognized by SHRM to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
CPE CREDIT
MISBO is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
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Event Policies
Click here to read the Event Registration and Cancellation Policies.
Ross Peters
Founding Partner, Explo Elevate
Ross works with heads of schools and boards on strategy, change management, and leadership, and coaches a select group of clients. As co-founder of The Purpose Project with John Gulla (Edward E. Ford Foundation), he is a recognized speaker and thought leader on independent schools, with recent work including “Resonant and Relevant” (Independent School, Fall 2023).
In his session, Ross will introduce the Independent School DEFCON Scale, a practical framework that helps school leaders, leadership teams, and boards assess institutional health and align strategic responses with current realities. Drawing on research, real-world case examples, and thought leadership on school sustainability, participants will learn about the five DEFCON levels—from thriving to crisis—through a focused lens on ten school health domains such as enrollment, financial stability, mission delivery, and leadership capacity.
Agenda
| June 14 | |
| 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Registration |
| 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Welcome Reception |
| 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Dinner |
| June 15 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Registration |
| 9:00 AM - 9:10 AM | Conference Welcome |
| 9:10 AM - 10:05 AM |
General Session
Where Does Your School Stand? The DEFCON Framework for School Health Speaker: Ross Peters, Explo Elevate |
| 10:05 AM - 10:25 AM | Break with Sponsors |
| 10:25 AM - 11:20 AM |
Breakout Sessions
What Great Schools Do Differently: Governance and Leadership Lessons from the Search Table Speaker: Aaron Griffin, The Epstein School Building Reserves - Seriously? Speaker: Todd Morris, UMS-Wright |
| 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM | Break with Sponsors |
| 11:40 AM - 12:35 PM |
Breakout Sessions
Hire, Retain, Repeat: Building a Stronger Team Speaker: Ilanit Fischler, Fisher Phillips Get Your Employees Ready for Retirement, No Matter Their Age Speaker: Carrie Eady, Darlington School |
| 12:35 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30 PM - 2:25 PM |
Breakout Sessions
The Power of Collaboration – Mission Driven Teamwork for Efficient School Operations Speaker: Tai D Davis, Cary Academy Design With Intention: Spaces as Strategic Assets Speakers: Katrina Lewis & Linda Gail Walker, Meteor Education |
| 2:25 PM - 2:45 PM | Break with Sponsors |
| 2:45 PM - 3:40 PM |
Breakout Sessions
Beyond Compliance: How to Read Form 990 and Financial Statements for Governance, Strategy, and Transparency Speakers: Sabre Linahan & David Lee, Smith & Howard Blow It All Up! How We Switched Our Entire Accounting System and Expense Management Process in 3 Months And Survived! Speakers: Robert Martin & Cortney Balicki, Academy of Holy Names |
| 4:00 PM |
Beer Trail
A walk through the city of Asheville exploring local breweries. Then dinner on your own. |
| June 16 | |
| 9:00 AM - 9:55 AM |
Breakout Session
Healthy Teams, Strong Schools Speaker: Avery Nesbitt, Atlanta International School Compensation with Purpose: Paying People in a Way That Matches Your Mission Speaker: Patrick Schuermann |
| 9:55 AM - 10:15 AM | Break with Sponsors |
| 10:15 AM - 11:10 AM |
General Session Panel
How Our Leadership Teams Actually Work Speakers: Rob McArthur & Michael Lomuscio & Benjamin Farrell, Carolina Day School |
| 11:10 AM - 11:15 AM | Break |
| 11:15 AM - 12:10 PM |
Breakout Session
From Off-the-Shelf to On-Purpose: Rethinking Benefits as a Leadership Decision Speaker: Lee Arledge, USI Insurance Services Leading with AI: Practical Applications for School Leadership Teams Michael Lomuscio, Carolina Day School |
| 12:10 PM - 12:10 PM | End of Conference Grab & Go Snack |
Check out our conference sponsors!
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