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2025 Institute for Heads

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT) to Friday, June 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

Engage with other heads at this energizing and nurturing retreat offering thoughtful, nuanced conversations on complex issues facing heads of school.

Expect conversations with other heads who understand exactly what your days are like. There will be humor, there will be validation, there will be community, and there will be uplift. 

Led by Rob Evans and Michael Thompson. Past participants have praised Rob & Michael for their facilitation style and ability to push, pull, and explore with the group rather than offering generic solutions. They help you help each other.

Spouses are encouraged to attend and participate in sessions. Usually about half of the attendees bring a spouse.

NOTE: To view the attendee roster, you must be logged in.

Speakers
Rob Evans Michael Thompson
Registration
Member Non-Member Spouse
Through June 3 $2,365 $2,649 $1,050
After June 3 $2,465 $2,749 $1,050
Schedule & Sessions

A schedule overview is available HERESession topics include:

  • Device Addiction: Helping Parents Help Their Kids
  • Have the Students Caught Up?
  • When Faculty Are Parents in the School
  • The Head in the Middle: Managing Toxic Political-Cultural Issues I         
  • The Head in the Middle: Managing Toxic Political-Cultural Issues II       
  • A Shared Journey: The Spouse’s Perspective
  • The Inner Wellsprings of Great Leadership
Westin Sarasota
  • Group rate: $169
  • Cut-off date: June 2 or when the block is full
  • Reserve your hotel room here.
  • 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 lori@sais.org

      Transportation

      From a variety of airports, free shuttles, and city-operated ride shares, Sarasota makes it easy to explore. Check out local transportation options here. Don't miss the $2 airport shuttle!


      Attractions

      Downtown Sarasota is a vibrant cultural and civic center offering theaters, boutiques, art galleries, trendy restaurants, and quaint cafes.

      Visitors and residents alike enjoy Sarasota’s walkable city lifestyle capped off by stunning sunsets and easy access to botanical gardens, a circus museum, an aquarium, and a variety of water adventures. Explore local attractions here.

      With the casual elegance of downtown, beautiful public parks, and the #1 beach in the country, Sarasota offers the best of both worlds.

      Restaurants

      From casual to elegant and pub grub to high end, enjoy the diverse culinary landscape and the talented local chefs who bring it to life. In the foodie department, there’s something for every palate, from French to Vietnamese to burgers to seafood. 

      Discover delicious local dining options here. Most are within easy walking distance of the Westin Sarasota.

      Cindy Chun
      View
      Cindy Chun Head of School Peninsula Heritage School
      Glyn Cowlishaw
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      Glyn Cowlishaw Head of School Providence Day School
      Shannon Graves
      View
      Shannon Graves Head of School The Vanguard School
      Seth Hathaway
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      Seth Hathaway Head of School Prince Avenue Christian School
      Sarah Kemeness
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      Sarah Kemeness Head of School St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School
      Bridgid Kinney
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      Bridgid Kinney Head of School Columbia Independent School
      Elizabeth Lener
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      Elizabeth Lener Head of School Springmont School
      Kathleen McNamara
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      Kathleen McNamara Head of School The Seven Hills School
      Liz Powell
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      Liz Powell Head of School GRACEPOINT School
      Don Roe
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      Don Roe Head of School University School of Jackson
      Andrew Ross
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      Andrew Ross Director of Administration Richmond Waldorf School
      Dan Seiden
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      Dan Seiden Head of School Pinewood Preparatory School
      Beckie Share
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      Beckie Share Head of School Tuscaloosa Academy
      Karl Sjolund
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      Karl Sjolund Head of School St. Andrew's-Sewanee School
      Claire Vaughn
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      Claire Vaughn Head of School Advent Episcopal School
      Kef Wilson
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      Kef Wilson Head of School The Savannah Country Day School
      4 Other Registered Attendees

      Institute for Heads | Past Participant Comments

      • An opportunity to step away from the demands of headship and reflect, refocus, and openly share challenges and needs in a supportive space. There is time to laugh and regain a sense of balance for a new year. This shared week with expert facilitators and fellow heads and spouses restores the reason that you love this calling to headship. – Rachel Deems, President, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR)

      • Ten years ago, my wife and I first attended this incredibly unique opportunity to bond with other heads and their spouses and it quickly became my most important professional and personal development commitment of each year. Rob and Michael are priceless in leading all participants in important, timely, challenging, and affirming conversations. The time with other heads and spouses is rare and meaningful, and the location always has a way of completing that total sense of rejuvenation and renewal. I recommend this opportunity to every head I know. -Jack Hall, Former Head of The Walker School (Atlanta, GA)

      • A unique combination of learning and therapy in an intimate environment, which is unlike any other program I have ever attended.

      • Rob and Michael are two of the very few consultants who truly understand the complexities as well as the joys and challenges of being a school head.

      • Meaningful time with a small group of people who do the job you do … the generosity, empathy, and wisdom are hard to match.

      • The topics are always relevant, but it is the degree of intimacy and trust that develops rather quickly among the participants that makes this particular program of importance and relevance to me (and my spouse).

      • It would be next to impossible to adequately describe this program in a brochure due to the dynamic nature of the overall experience.

      • An open dialogue that focuses on the personal as well as the professional and is as energizing for the spouse as for the head of school. Michael and Rob work to ensure many voices are included in the discussions.

      • This is a unique opportunity for you and your spouse to be engaged together in professional learning. Rob and Michael are dynamite and the chance to learn from and connect with other heads/spouses are the two reasons why we make this a priority for our professional development.
      Event Policies & Acknowledgments
      Review Event FAQs at this link.
      • For questions about event registration or special accommodations, contact lori@sais.org