NAIS School Leadership Institute (SLI)
About the Event
Regardless of your career stage, the NAIS School Leadership Institute (SLI) provides a beneficial step in your leadership development. This intensive, three-day program helps you better understand your own leadership style and identify your strengths—as well as areas for growth—in five key facets of independent school leadership.
The School Leadership Institute is part of the Leading Your Growth track of the NAIS Leadership Academy.
- Date / Time
- June 23-26, 2026
- Location
Emory Conference Center Hotel (Atlanta, GA)
Program Overview
The institute incorporates learning experiences at four levels: whole group, working group, homeroom groups, and individual meetings. A unique facet of this institute is the incorporation of a 360-degree assessment anchored in the best-selling Leadership Practices Inventory. Drawing on personalized data from your own school context, come away with actionable insights into your own leadership, a renewed sense of purpose for your work, and clarity about future goals for your ongoing growth as a leader. Best of all, SLI provides the opportunity to build close-knit relationships with mentors and peers from around the country—professionals who will sustain and support you throughout your career.
Topics Covered
-
Leadership best practices for all levels of leaders.
-
A 360-degree review from your colleagues, supervisors, and direct reports on your personal strengths and areas for growth as a leader.
-
Small-group processing around personal and professional celebrations and challenges.
-
Tools, activities, and language you can take back to your team at school and immediately apply as you seek to intentionally grow as a leader.
Audience
- SLI is designed for individuals who lead in some capacity at their schools, most often in formal administrative roles within the instructional program (department chairs, grade-level leaders, deans, etc.) and the full spectrum of functional domains (admissions, advancement, DEIJB, communications, etc.).
- This program is particularly helpful if you are new to managing people, new to your position, or in need of the opportunity to re-examine your leadership practice and impact.
2026 Faculty
-
Nayo Brooks
Lower School PrincipalSt. Paul’s Episcopal School (CA) -
Chia-Chee Chiu
Assistant Head of School for AcademicsPark Tudor School (IN) -
Carl Coombs
Assistant Head of School and Interim Lower School HeadBrimmer and May School (MA) -
Mark Garrison
Assistant Head of SchoolBreck School (MN) -
Carrie Green
Head of Middle SchoolBrentwood School (CA) -
Stacia McFadden
Upper School Assistant PrincipalRowland Hall (UT) -
Jason Novak
Assistant Head of School for Quakerism and BelongingBrooklyn Friends School (NY) -
Phelana Pang
Assistant Head of SchoolSeattle Girls’ School (WA) -
Rob Scotlan
Head of SchoolSeabury School (WA) -
John Shoe
Coordinator of Faculty and Program DevelopmentThe Logan School (CO) -
Brenda Cram
Senior Program Strategist, Leadership and GovernanceNAIS -
Sharon Meacham
Program Manager, Leadership and GovernanceNAIS -
Jakirah Williams
Meeting and Event Planner, Events TeamNAIS
-
![Testimonial]()
What Attendees Are Saying
Phenomenal professional development. The perfect balance of learning new ideas, processing my current work, and reflecting on what I want to change. I left feeling energized, refocused, and ready to lead with more clarity an intention.2025 SLI Attendee -
![Testimonial]()
What Attendees Are Saying
SLI was the most impactful PD experience I've ever had. The program planning and execution were intentional, and I walked away with a better understanding of who I am as a leader. Most importantly, the leaders modeled connection and authenticity, and they shared themselves and their depth of knowledge so freely.2025 SLI Attendee -
![Testimonial]()
What Attendees Are Saying
The School Leadership Institute provided a feedback structure, time for reflection, colleagues to learn with and learn from, and had incredible facilitators who shared their expertise and resources. I recommend the SLI for any school leader to broaden their perspective and refine their skills.2025 SLI Attendee
Registration Information
Registration prices include in-person learning, room and board, and all meals at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, GA.
*Contact us for more information about the benefits of NAIS membership, including discounted event pricing.
-
Registration TypeMember Price*
-
Early-Bird Pricing (Through 4/1/26)$3,475
-
Standard Pricing (On or After 4/2/26)$4,000
-
Registration TypeNonmember Price
-
Early-Bird Pricing (Through 4/1/26)$4,525
-
Standard Pricing (On or After 4/2/26)$5,050
Hotel Accommodations
Your registration fee includes the cost of your hotel room during the event. NAIS will reserve your hotel room at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, located at 1615 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, for arrival on June 23 and departure on July 26. Please plan your travel accordingly. The check-in time is 4:00 PM ET and check-out time is 12:00 PM ET.
This event is a residential program, and you are expected to stay at the conference hotel and participate in the entire program. If you require accommodation before or after these dates, please contact sli@nais.org. Additional fees may apply.
Schedule
Watch for a detailed schedule closer to the program start. Please plan to arrive at the Emory Conference Center by 11:30 AM ET on Tuesday, June 23, with lunch from 11:45 AM–12:45 PM ET and programming starting at 1:00 PM ET. You may depart any time after 12:00 PM ET on Friday, June 26.
Contact Information and Cancellation Policy
Please contact institutes@nais.org or 202-973-9700 with any questions.
Cancellations must be received in writing at institutes@nais.org. Cancellations received up to 30 days (May 24, 2026) before the program's start date will be fully refunded, less a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received fewer than 30 days prior to the program will not be refunded.