Unleashing the Power of Data Driven Coaching (2 hour leader only workshop)
2026-06-17 09:15 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Red Bird L, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Gail from Predictive Index
Coach with greater clarity and impact using behavioral data and insights from the Predictive Index (PI). Learn how to personalize coaching, deliver more effective feedback, and adapt your approach to different working styles. Walk away with practical tools to set clear goals, measure progress, and lead more confident coaching conversations. *This session will require all teammembers to take the PI assesment (5 min) before the workshop.

Keynote Led: Pixar Creative Collaboration and Storytelling Session (2 hour)
2026-06-17 09:15 - 11:30 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Dove G, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Dennis Henderson – Wednesday Keynote Speaker
This keynote session will bring attendees together for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation centered on leadership, innovation, and the future of education services. Participants can expect high-level insights, shared experiences, and practical perspectives that encourage collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement across teams and organizations. This session is designed to inspire new ideas, challenge current thinking, and energize attendees as they continue supporting schools, students, and one another through meaningful work.

AI Innovation Lab Day 2 AM Work Block
2026-06-17 09:15 - 12:00 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Salt River, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Erick Grady, Cody Bell, Lleyton Ito, Janet Hernandez, and OBIS
The AI Innovation Lab is an interactive session designed to help participants explore how we can enhance day-to-day work, improve efficiency, and support innovative thinking across teams. Attendees will learn about practical AI tools, real-world applications, and strategies for integrating AI into workflows to solve problems, streamline processes, and generate new ideas. Whether participants are new to AI or already experimenting with it, this session will provide actionable insights, examples, and opportunities to think creatively about how AI can support both individual and organizational success.

Shifting Instinct to Evidence in Decision Making
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Road Runner C, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Toral Kadakia
Stop guessing—start deciding with data. In this interactive workshop, experience how instinct can mislead and how structured analysis leads to better outcomes. Through hands-on scenarios and team challenges, you’ll learn to identify real signals, avoid common pitfalls, and build simple, defensible data strategies that drive smarter decisions.

The Charter Landscape: What Every Vertex Teammate Should Know
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Quail E, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Corey Kennedy
Vertex operates within a uniquely complex and highly relational ecosystem that includes school boards, authorizers, regulators, and community stakeholders. Some Vertex roles engage more directly with these groups than others, but all of us are impacted by them in one way or another.
This session provides a practical overview of the charter school landscape and the dynamics that shape our work. The goal is not to turn participants into experts, but to build shared context that leads to to stronger collaboration, better decision-making, and greater organizational alignment.

How to use Power Query in Excel
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Quail F, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Stefan Sharpensteen and Chris Lim
Unlock the power of Excel with Power Query and transform how you manage data. This session introduces essential tools, real-world use cases, and practical best practices to streamline your workflow. Whether you’re new or looking to level up, discover how to clean, combine, and analyze data with confidence and efficiency.

Beyond Compliance: How Great Leaders Inspire Action and Ownership
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Red Bird J, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Stephanie Martinez
Why do change efforts stall—even with a clear strategy? Because motivation goes beyond logic. In this session, explore how to engage both the rational and emotional drivers of change. Learn practical strategies to overcome resistance, build momentum, and inspire lasting action through autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

RAMP 101: A Better Way to Manage Spending
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Red Bird K, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Corey Francis
Transform how your schools manage spending with the rollout of RAMP. This session explores what to expect during implementation, how the platform streamlines accounts payable processes, and the value it brings to schools. Gain insight into key features, benefits, and practical considerations to ensure a smooth, successful transition.

Winning the Community Before You Serve the Community
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Road Runner A, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Jennifer Turney
This session equips school leaders with practical strategies to establish credibility, connect with families, and define their school’s identity in a new market. Learn how to overcome skepticism, build community partnerships, and create early momentum that drives enrollment, engagement, and long-term success.

The SWARM Framework: Solving Problems Together
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Road Runner B, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Madison Carillo
This session introduces the SWARM framework—a structured, repeatable approach to solving complex problems through cross-functional teamwork. Explore a real case study and learn how to bring diverse perspectives together, strengthen collective ownership, and drive more innovative, effective outcomes across your teams.

Process and Data Analysis Using AI
2026-06-17 10:45 - 11:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Quail D, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Cora Howell and Autumn Barber
Turn data into decisions that matter. This session helps you move beyond dashboards to uncover real insights, avoid misleading averages, and identify root causes. Learn a clear framework to transform questions into actionable strategies, craft compelling data stories, and drive smarter decisions that make a measurable impact across your organization.

AI Innovation Lab Day 2 PM Working Block
2026-06-17 13:15 - 18:00 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Salt River 3, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US

Make Your Work Easier with Asana: From Basics to Automation
2026-06-17 14:45 - 15:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Quail D, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Jenny Given
Join us in person for a fun and hands-on session where you’ll learn how to make your daily grind smoother using Asana. We’ll start with the basics and quickly move into cool automation tricks that save you tons of time. Perfect for anyone wanting to boost productivity without the stress. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and transform the way you work!

Facilitating Difficult Conversations
2026-06-17 14:45 - 15:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Quail E, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Jesse Bean
Navigate difficult conversations with clarity and confidence. This session introduces the three layers—what happened, feelings, and identity—and equips you with practical strategies to lead productive, learning-focused discussions. Build the skills to approach tough conversations with empathy, reduce defensiveness, and strengthen relationships through honest, meaningful dialogue.

Beyond the Balance Sheet: Using Financial Metrics to Diagnose School Health
2026-06-17 14:45 - 15:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Quail F, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Michael Juel-Larsen
Move beyond numbers to true financial insight. This session shows how key metrics like cash on hand and coverage ratios reveal a school’s health and risks. Through real case studies, learn to interpret data, ask better questions, and identify early warning signs to guide stronger, more strategic decisions.

Radical Candor in Action: Tools to Elevate Feedback, Trust, and Team Growth
2026-06-17 14:45 - 15:45 | Talking Stick Resort Hotel – Conference Room Red Bird J, 9800 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256, US
Presented by: Kristi Moreno
Build stronger teams through honest, effective feedback. This session introduces the Radical Candor framework—caring personally while challenging directly—and shows how to apply it in real leadership situations. Learn practical tools to foster trust, normalize learning from mistakes, and support long-term employee growth, engagement, and development.
