2025 Women’s Leadership Symposium
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April 10 & 11, 2025 | The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa
Be part of AISNE’s inaugural Women’s Leadership Symposium. This event is a time for connection, dialogue, learning, and exploration for women in all levels of leadership in Pre-K – 12 education. Whether you are a Head of School, an aspiring school leader, or leading out in a teaching and learning role, you are welcome here.
Our agenda—developed by a committee of female independent school leaders—will center your unique experiences as women across sessions aimed at building your leadership skills, empowering your voice, and elevating your ability to make impactful decisions.
Engage with your peers from across the profession during a retreat-like atmosphere at the beautiful Equinox Resort. There will be time for networking with connections old and new.
AISNE’s Women’s Leadership Symposium is designed for women in all levels of leadership, including:
- Heads & Assistant Heads of School
- CFOs/COOs
- DEIB Practitioners
- Directors of Advancement, Enrollment Management, and other school offices
- Deans, Department Chairs, and Division Heads
- Aspiring School Leaders
This is a learning environment where anyone who self-identifies as a woman or non-binary belongs and is warmly welcomed.
Pricing and Location
Number of Attendees | Member Price | Non-Member Price |
1 – 3 | $459/person | $559/person |
4 – 9 | $415/person | $515/person |
10 – 19 | $369/person | $469/person |
Your registration includes our welcome cocktails and dinner on Thursday night, breakfast and lunch on Friday, and access to all learning and networking session. Hotel reservations are not included (info coming soon).
Tickets are now sold out. Join our ticket waitlist.
Location Information
The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa
3567 Main Street
Manchester, VT 05254
Group Rate: $149/nt + tax.
Group rate is available through March 10, 2025, per availability. Secure your room today!
Click here to make hotel reservations.
Agenda at a Glance
Thursday, April 10
- 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Event Check-In & Resort Time
- 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Welcome Reception
- 6:30 – 7:30 PM | General Session with Lise Charlier
- 7:30 – 9:00 PM | All-Attendee Dinner
- 9:00 PM – Late | Cocktails & Conversation
Friday, April 11
- 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Morning Self-Care Activities
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast & Networking
- 9:30 – 10:45 AM | General Session with Jennie Weiner & Panel
- 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | Topic Sessions 1
- 12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch
- 1:30 – 2:45 PM | Topic Sessions 2
- 3:00 – 4:15 PM | General Session
Agenda
Thursday, April 10
4:00 – 5:30 PM | Event Check-In & Resort Time
Check into the hotel, explore the resort, and enjoy some of the amenities.
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Welcome Reception
Drinks and appetizers served. A chance to mingle and connect with fellow attendees.
6:30 – 7:30 PM | Leading for the Future: Insights and Aspirations from AISNE Heads of School
Facilitator: Lise Charlier | Head of School at The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston, MA)
A distinguished group of Heads of Schools from across New England will share their unique perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities facing independent schools. The panel, facilitated by Lise Charlier, President of the AISNE Board of Directors, will share their personal leadership journeys. This session will offer a blend of individual reflections and collective insights as each head of school discusses their current goals, the strategies they are implementing to achieve them, and the lessons they have learned along the way. Together, they will also share their aspirations for the future of independent education, exploring the evolving role of school leaders in fostering inclusive, innovative, and sustainable learning environments.
Panelists include:
- Alixe Callen | Head of School at Milton Academy (Milton, MA)
- Kathy Giles | Head of School at St. Paul’s School (Concord, NH)
- Kim Ridley | Head of School at Fayerweather Street School (Cambridge, MA)
- Margaret Schlacter | Head of School at The Mountain School at Winhall (Winhall, VT)
7:30 – 9:00 PM | All-Attendee Dinner
Enjoy dinner with conversation and networking in a relaxed setting.
9:00 PM – | Cocktails & Conversations
After dinner, continue the evening with drinks and informal conversations at the resort bar. Relax and unwind in the company of peers.
Friday, April 11
7:00 – 8:00 AM | Morning Self-Care Activities
Choose from morning yoga, a group walk or light hike in our beautiful resort surroundings, or a little extra sleep!
8:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast & Networking
A casual breakfast to start the day and an opportunity to continue networking with fellow attendees.
9:30 – 10:45 AM | Breaking Barriers: Advancing Women into Leadership in Pre-K – 12 Education
Presenter: Jennie Weiner, EdD | Professor of Educational Leadership at University of Connecticut
What systemic obstacles prevent women from advancing into leadership roles within Pre-K – 12 education? UCONN Professor Jennie Weiner will draw on her extensive research and interviews with over 200 women educational leaders to highlight how gender bias—both implicit and explicit—impedes professional growth. Despite women representing the majority of educators in classrooms, they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions such as Heads of Schools, senior-level administrators, Deans, Department Chairs, and Division Heads.
Following the presentation, a panel of AISNE educational leaders will discuss the real-world implications of these findings, sharing their journeys and the challenges they’ve faced as women striving to break through the “glass ceiling” in educational leadership. Together, they will engage in a conversation with Dr. Weiner about things that continue to affect career progression.
The session will highlight strategies to empower women, including the importance of solidarity, leveraging networks of allies, and transforming organizational cultures to ensure women are given the opportunities and support they need to thrive in leadership roles. Panelists and attendees will engage in a discussion about how to create more inclusive and equitable leadership pathways in Pre-K – 12 schools, with a focus on actionable solutions and the collective action required to achieve systemic change.
Panelists include:
- Cheryl Borek | Director of Spiritual Life at Cardigan Mountain School (Canaan, NH)
- Angela Brown | Assistant Head for Admission and Strategic Initiatives at Dana Hall School (Wellesley, MA)
- Allison Gaines Pell | Head of School at The Wheeler School (Providence, RI)
- Raquel Majeski | Associate Head of School at Lawrence Academy (Groton, MA)
- Aneesa Sen | Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Noble & Greenough School (Dedham, MA)
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | Topic Sessions 1
The Midlife Shift: Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause in Leadership and Beyond
Presenter: Amy Patel, MD | Chief Medical Officer at Phillips Academy (Andover, MA)
Women often juggle the demands of their roles while navigating the profound physical, emotional, and mental changes that accompany perimenopause and menopause. This session provides a safe, empowering space to explore how these life stages impact personal wellbeing and professional life. We will review common symptoms and their impact on daily life and work and strategies to manage these transitions with resilience and confidence. You will gain insights into advocating for your wellness and workplace support. Together, we’ll normalize the conversation and empower women to lead with strength and authenticity at every stage of life.
The Assistant Headship: Fixing the “Broken Rung” of Women’s Education Leadership Pathways
Presenter: Jennie Weiner, EdD | Professor of Educational Leadership at University of Connecticut
Join Professor Weiner, a nationally recognized expert on educational leadership and equity, for an interactive session where she shares her work looking at the experiences of female Assistant Heads in independent schools. Our conversation will focus on how feminization and stereotypes regarding women’s labor, pay inequity, a devaluing of care work, and challenges to autonomy shape women’s ability to access and thrive as leaders. This session brings attention to these issues and their impact, and centers the experiences of these acting administrators and those aspiring to such positions.
Building Connections and Leveraging Relationships
Presenter: Rebecca Melotke-Meslin | Women’s Leadership Coach and Owner at Pleasantly Aggressive
Networking is just the beginning of building meaningful connections that can impact your career. This workshop will help you build authentic relationships that can lead to mentoring, job opportunities, and partnerships—all of which get you closer to your personal and professional goals. We’ll also tackle what might be holding you back from leveraging the relationships you’ve created. No one can do it alone, and the right network is crucial for women to lead and succeed. This session is led by leadership coach Rebecca Melotke-Meslin, co-host of the Confidently You: Women in Leadership podcast.
12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch
A buffet-style lunch offering opportunities for informal networking and reflection on the morning’s session.
1:30 – 2:45 PM | Topic Sessions 2
The Power of Self-Promotion: Maximizing Your LinkedIn Profile
Presenter: Angela Brown | Assistant Head for Admissions and Strategic Initiatives at Dana Hall School (Wellesley, MA)
This session empowers women leaders to embrace the art of self-promotion by leveraging LinkedIn to highlight your achievements and build your professional brands. You will explore strategies for overcoming societal messages about “tooting your own horn,” while learning how to create an impactful LinkedIn presence that translates seamlessly to in-person conversations. This session will provide practical tips and tricks for showcasing strengths, highlighting every day accomplishments, and enhancing professional networks.
You Can’t Do It All By Yourself: Be a Better Delegator
Presenter: Rebecca Melotke-Meslin | Women’s Leadership Coach and Owner at Pleasantly Aggressive
For women leaders, admitting we need help may lead to feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome. Alternatively, asking for help may seem like a burden rather than a relief. The more unnecessary tasks you have on your plate, the less time you have to work on achieving your goals. We’ll dig into the fear and worry holding you back and create a plan for you to start delegating consistently and successfully. This session is led by leadership coach Rebecca Melotke-Meslin, co-host of the Confidently You: Women in Leadership podcast
3:00 – 4:15 PM | General Session
Information Coming Soon!
Our Learning Community
Planning Committee
Thank you to the leaders in the AISNE community who are volunteering to help shape this event.
- Vanessa Cohen Gibbons, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Milton Academy (MA)
- Aléwa Cooper, Head of School, Foote School (CT)
- Allison Gaines Pell, Head of School, The Wheeler School (RI)
- Lynn Hamlin, Director of Teachers and Instructional Technology, Erskine Academy (ME)
- Amy Smucker, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, Berwick Academy (ME)
- Margaret Schlachter, Head of School, The Mountain School at Winhall (VT)
- Aneesa Sen, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Noble and Greenough School (MA)
- Angela Yang-Handy, Assistant Head of School, Kimball Union Academy (NH)
Join Your Peers
Learn and build connections with your fellow independent school leaders who have already registered.
- Martina Albright, Director | Apple Orchard School
- Abbey Baker, Academic Coordinator | Rock Point School
- Danielle Beale, Associate Head of School | Nantucket New School
- Kristin Bedard, Assistant Director of Advancement Communications & Operations | Concord Academy
- Becky Biggs, Director of Professional Learning and Community Programs | AISNE
- Courtney Bliss, Teacher | Cardigan Mountain School
- Cheryl Borek, Director of Spiritual Life | Cardigan Mountain School
- Ildulce Brandao-DaSilva, Assistant Head of Lower Division | The Park School
- Christina Breen, Incoming Head of School | Laurel School
- Dee Bunstein, Business Director | Apple Orchard School
- Mary Jo Carabatsos, Upper School Director | Berwick Academy
- Lise Charlier, Head of School | The Cambridge School of Weston
- Elizabeth Clayton, Associate Head of School | Charles River School
- Lauren Duwel, Teacher & Community Life Coordinator | Berwick Academy
- Meredith Frost, Director of Residential Life | Cardigan Mountain School
- Annie Fuerst, Director of Innovation | Belmont Day School
- Molly Gabarro, Upper School Dean of Students | Berwick Academy
- Jamie Goldsmith, Director of Enrollment Management | Wolfeboro Camp School
- Lynn Hamlin, Director of Teachers and Instructional Technology | Erskine Academy
- Sarah Herman, Head of School | Our Sisters’ School
- Kate Hillman, Associate Head of School | Berkshire Country Day School
- Jessica Howie, Teacher | The Pike School
- Jessica Hunt, PEAKS Coach | Cardigan Mountain School
- Madison Janicola, Social Worker | The Rashi School
- Kyla Joslin, Teacher | Cardigan Mountain School
- Katharine Knuppel, Head of Primary School | Fay School
- Julie Mackey, Director of Advancement & Enrollment | Maple Street School
- Raquel Majeski, Associate Head of School | Lawrence Academy
- Libby Margraf, Assistant Head of School | Lawrence Academy
- Sara Masucci, Director of 9th and 10th Grades | Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall
- Allison Gaines Pell, Head of School | The Wheeler School
- Katie Sawatzky, Administrative Assistant | Apple Orchard School
- Margaret Schlachter, Head of School | The Mountain School at Winhall
- Amy Smucker, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs | Berwick Academy
- Christine Torigian, Dean of Faculty and Academics | Lawrence Academy
- Diana Walcott, Director of Admissions + Development | Apple Orchard School
- Laura Warner, Director, Academic Skills & Student Accessibility | Phillips Academy
- Emily Waterfield, Head of School | The Common School
- Ryan Weiland, Dean of School | Rock Point School
- Jennifer Weissbach, Dean of West Quad South Cluster | Phillips Academy
- Sara Wilson, Executive Director | AISNE
- Heather Woodcock, Programmatic Advisor & Instructional Coach | Belmont Day School
- Sally Rose Zuckert, Social Justice Coordinator | The Rashi School
- Sabrina Zurkuhlen, Placement Counselor | Carney Sandoe & Associates
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 10 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund, less a $150 administrative fee. This fee covers the cost of our minimum commitments with our hotel partners; thank you for your understanding. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 3 business days before the start of the event.
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Join today or renew your membership.