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National Leaders Conference
The annual National Leaders Conference brings together school leaders to explore a theme related to issues, trends, challenges and opportunities currently facing independent schools. Each year, the conference focuses on either School Operations or Education Program.
Over three days, participants will have the opportunity to hear from leading experts in keynote speeches and panel discussions, and collaborate with their colleagues from other independent schools in smaller sessions that relate to their specific area of school function.
2025 National Leaders Conference: Leading Tomorrow's Schools, Today
REGISTER NOW!
Details
Dates: Sunday, April 6 – Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Location: Hilton Toronto, 145 Richmond Street W., Toronto, ON
Audience: Operational Leaders
Why Attend?
Join operational leaders from CAIS schools and renowned experts from Canada and beyond for three days of inspiring keynotes, dynamic sessions, and valuable networking opportunities. Engage with thought leaders in education and other industries to bring innovative strategies back to your school.
Keynote Speakers
Melissa Eldridge
Partner and Co-Chair,
National School Boards Practice,
BLG
Peter Fardy
Principal,
NORTHPORT Philanthropic Advisory Services
Zak Goldman
Partner,
Sterling Park Financial
Irshad Manji
Founder,
Moral Courage College
Linda Rodeck
Retired, Managing Director for Canada,
Sotheby's
Benjamin Tal
Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist,
CIBC
Farhan Thawar
VP & Head of Engineering,
Shopify
Highlights
- Affinity Group Breakfasts: Build meaningful connections in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
- National Network Sessions: Engage with peers in similar roles for valuable exchanges and enhanced learning.
- Breakout Sessions: Customize your experience with a diverse range of topics to suit your interests.
- Pre-Conference Workshops (April 5 & 6):
- Saturday, April 5 (Full Day | $400 each):
- Bridges over Barriers: Discovering Our Shared Humanity
- Integrating Trauma-Informed Practice: From Neuropathways to Relational Pathways Inside and Outside the Classroom
- Workshop with Melissa Eldridge from BLG
- Sunday, April 6 (Half Day | $250 each):
- Unity, Not Uniformity: How to Foster Healing Through Diversity of Viewpoint with Irshad Manji
- Risk Management “Just in CAIS”
- Saturday, April 5 (Full Day | $400 each):
Registration
Early Bird Rate (Until January 31, 2025):
- Member: $1,445
- Non-member: $1,545
Regular Rate (Beginning February 1, 2025):
- Member: $1,595
- Non-member: $1,695
Schools registering four or more attendees receive a 10% discount. Register Now via Whova.
Additional Information
For detailed session descriptions, hotel booking information, and discount codes, visit the Event Logistics page.
Questions? Contact Hailey Francis, Events Planner and Strategist, at hfrancis@cais.ca.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Toronto this spring!
Thank You to the Planning Committee
Eric Petersiel (Chair), The Leo Baeck Day School
Janet Duga, The Bishop Strachan School
Jennifer Irwin-Jackson, Elmwood School
Shirley Garcia, Havergal College
Eric Hawthorne, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School
Arjuna Kadawathage, Crescent School
Kathy LaBranche, Trinity College School
Shay Matters, Brentwood College School
Suzanne Morrison, Armbrae Academy
Catherine Ruby, Collingwood School
Isabel Sankaran Wee, Stratford Hall
Afzal Shaikh, The York School
Jacqueline Stevens, Halifax Grammar School
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Thank you to our generous NLC 2025 Sponsors! Their support allows CAIS to provide valuable Leadership Development opportunities to our members. We invite you to click on their logos below to explore their websites and learn more about them. To discover how you can become a sponsor, visit our Sponsor a CAIS event page or contact Hailey Francis at hfrancis@cais.ca.
2024 National Leaders Conference Recap
The 2024 NLC, themed "EmpowerED: Leading & Learning in a Shifting Landscape," was held in April 2024, in Vancouver, BC. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the planning committee, attendees, speakers, and NLC 2024 sponsors. With over 240 attendees, the conference was a resounding success, thanks to the active participation and engagement of our community.
Presentation slides and resources from the 2024 NLC are accessible on CAIS Connect. Click here to access them.