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.

Save the Dates: 2026 National Leaders Conference

Save the Date for the 2026 National Leaders Conference

Dates: Sunday, April 12 – Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Location: Hilton Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, QC
Audience: Educational Leaders

2025 National Leaders Conference

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 National Leaders Conference: Leading Tomorrow's Schools, Today

From April 6 to 8, 2025, CAIS welcomed more than 300 operational leaders from across the country to the Hilton Toronto for three days of learning, collaboration, and connection. With inspiring keynote speakers, engaging sessions, and opportunities to reconnect in person, the conference delivered practical insights and strategies to support leadership in CAIS schools.

A big thank you to the schools that supported their leaders in attending this event. Your commitment to professional learning strengthens our entire community.

We are also incredibly grateful to our dedicated planning committee and to all of our speakers for making this event such a success.

Thank You to the 2025 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.