NAIS Governance Webinar Series: Setting Heads Up for Success: Goals, Feedback, and Alignment

Effective head of school goal setting is more than an annual exercise—it is an ongoing process that creates clarity, strengthens alignment, and supports leadership success. When heads and boards co-create meaningful and measurable goals, they establish a shared understanding of institutional priorities, what success looks like, and how progress will be assessed. In this session from the 2026–2027 NAIS Governance Webinar Series, explore practices for developing head of school goals aligned with the school’s strategic priorities and appropriate to the head’s leadership role. Consider how to define clear outcomes and indicators of progress, distinguish between institutional and individual leadership goals, and establish regular formative feedback loops throughout the year. Also examine how ongoing conversations about progress, changing circumstances, and needed support can make the annual evaluation process more meaningful while strengthening the head-board partnership.

Presenters: 

• Anne-Marie Balzano, senior strategist for leadership alignment and governance, NAIS
• Meera Ratnesar, head of school, The Curtis School (CA)