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2025 Institute for Administrative Assistants

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT) to Friday, June 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
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This program provides practical resources, helpful tips, and networking opportunities for administrative assistants in an independent school, whether serving in a department, division, or the head’s office.

Learn practical strategies for handling the types of issues related to supporting an independent school administrator. Network with other assistants to share time-saving tricks and proven solutions. 

While this program is open to non-members, please note that registration is limited to those from schools that meet the SAIS membership criteria. 

Registration

Member

Non-Member

Through April 11 

$675

$799

April 12-May 23 

$775

$899

After May 23 

$875

$999
Westin Sarasota
  • Group rate: $169
  • Cut-off date: May 19 or when the block is full
  • Reservation link
  • Additional fees:
    • Destination fee: $11/day
    • Valet parking: $30/day

NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Occasionally unauthorized third parties may attempt to coordinate your reservations. Please use only the above hotel links to secure your reservation directly with the hotel.

If you receive an error message or if the block is full, please contact learn@sais.org
Speakers

Vallie Collins, Motivational Speaker

Vallie Smith Collins serves on the board of New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center, the Pellissippi State Community College Foundation, and is the board chair for Love One International which works to serve malnourished children in Uganda. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. For over nineteen years she was employed in medical device and consumer products industry.
Website

Claudia Cruz, Executive Assistant to the Head of School & CFO, Providence Day School

Claudia is an accomplished executive assistant with 23 years of experience in independent schools. Currently, she is the executive assistant to the head of school and CFO at Providence Day School. Her experience lies in optimizing operational efficiency, coupled with fostering wellness initiatives across the school community. With a comprehensive understanding of organizational management, she takes a proactive approach to ensuring seamless administrative functions, while contributing to the achievement of long-term institutional goals and the overall success of the school's leadership team.
Website

Elizabeth Maglio, Director of Professional Learning, SAIS

Elizabeth joined the SAIS team in July 2021. She began her career in education in 2005 as a leadership program faculty advisor for middle school students at Envision EMI in Washington, D.C. She continued there as a program coordinator and professional development manager. In 2012, she joined Woodlynde School as an upper school learning specialist, then was appointed head of lower school in 2014 and assistant head of school in 2016. She holds a B.A. in communications from NC State and an M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Jenna Pirani, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, Randolph School

After completing a B.A. in French with an Education minor from Rhodes College and an M.A. in French Literature from Washington University in St. Louis, Jenna began her career as an upper school French teacher at her alma mater, Randolph School in Huntsville, AL. After taking time for her family, she returned to Randolph as the middle school administrative assistant and has since served as the school registrar and her current position as executive assistant to the head of school, for a total of 26 years and counting at Randolph. 
Website

Event Policies & Acknowledgments
Review Event FAQs at this link.
  • For questions about event registration or special accommodations, contact learn@sais.org