2026 Institute for Early Career Heads

Monday, June 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM (EDT) to Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

Hilton Charlotte University Place

The early years of the headship are pivotal. The clarity, habits, and relationships established during this time often shape long-term leadership success.

The Institute for Early Career Heads is designed exclusively for heads of school in their first three years. Led by Dr. Brett Jacobsen, president of SAIS and a former head of school, and Dave Monaco, partner at moss+ross and a former head of school, this experience brings seasoned insights and practical guidance from leaders who understand the realities of the role.

Anchored in the six dimensions of effective onboarding, the workshop emphasizes the development of a clear personal leadership model while addressing the core responsibilities of the role.

What We'll Explore:

• Defining a personal leadership compass
• Leading and aligning a senior team
• Building productive board relationships
• Connecting leadership decisions to mission and strategy
• Aligning talent, culture, and organizational design
• Engaging the full school community

You will leave with defined short- and long-term goals and a practical road map for leadership success.

Registration

~~By February 27:~~ ~~Members $995 | Non-Members $1,189~~
By April 3: Members $1,095 | Non-Members $1,289
By May 29: Members $1,195 | Non-Members $1,389
By June 10: Members $1,295 | Non-Members $1,489
After June 10: Members $1,495 | Non-Members $1,689

NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION

	Credits	Price
NON-MEMBER All attendees must have an account before registering. Create new accounts here.		$1,289.00 Price will increase to $1,389.00 on 4/4/26

Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes Drive | Charlotte, NC 28262

Group rate: $179
Cut-off date: May 23 or when the block is full (whichever comes first)
Reservation link here.

The hotel block is now open. If you receive an error message or if the block is full, please contact info@sais.org.

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PLEASE NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor or third party booking agent for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Please be aware that occasionally unauthorized third parties not affiliated with SAIS may attempt to coordinate your reservations by phone or email. Please use only the official link from SAIS above to make your arrangements directly with the hotel and not through a third party.

Event Policies & Acknowledgments

Event FAQs

Review Event FAQs at this link.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

Payment may be made by credit/debit or ACH. The form defaults to credit/debit but ACH is selectable.

Cancellations received before the stated deadline via this form (May 25) are eligible for an 80% refund. After the stated cancellation date, refunds are not available, but replacement registrants are welcomed. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis following the conclusion of the event. In the unlikely event that SAIS cancels a program, 100% of the registration fee will be refunded.

Acknowledgment of Risk & Safety Procedures

Participation in SAIS events signifies an attendee’s acknowledgment of infectious and other diseases and voluntary assumption of the risk of exposure or infection by attending the event. Attendees agree to comply with all guidelines and procedures, including distancing and/or masking, that may be implemented by SAIS, in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and other public health authorities.

Acknowledgment of Intellectual Property

Participants expressly acknowledge the intellectual property of the presenters of this conference and these other terms that are conditions of attendance. This acknowledgment includes the understanding that creating any form of recording, including but not limited to video or audio is a violation of the intellectual property of the speakers as well as a violation of the terms of participation in this event. Participants expressly agree not to independently record, or knowingly let anyone else record, any of the conference sessions in which they participate. Participants will also not share their unique link to the conference platform or the content therein with anyone else. The unique link to the conference platform will be used solely by the participant.

Consent to Use of Photographic & Video Images

Questions

For questions about event registration or special accommodations, contact info@sais.org.