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Start your ImpactED ’26 experience early with one of our exclusive pre-conference sessions! These three engaging sessions offer the chance to see innovation in action, connect with peers in an interactive setting, and gain practical insights to take back to your foundation. Each visit offers a distinct experience, and space is limited for each session—so reserve your spot and start ImpactED with fresh ideas and lasting connections! |
Pre-Conference Session #1
Executive Director Boot Camp: A Roadmap for Education Foundation Leaders
Led by: Robin Callahan, CFRE, CAP®, CEFL and Gail Rothman, CEFL
Stepping into the role of an education foundation leader can feel both exciting and overwhelming — especially when you’re “new in the chair.” Whether you’re a first-time executive director, a nonprofit professional transitioning into the education foundation world, or a board member serving as an interim or unpaid ED, this fast-paced and practical boot camp is designed to help you succeed from day one.
Led by two nationally recognized experts — and co-authors of Roadmap for Education Foundations: A Practical Guide to Growing an Education Foundation, Robin Callahan and Gail Rothman will guide participants through the essential knowledge and skills every education foundation leader needs.
This interactive, six-hour course blends real-world insight, case examples, and peer learning to deepen your understanding of the unique role of an education foundation executive director. You’ll leave with the tools and confidence to strengthen your leadership, clarify your partnership with your board and school district, and chart a clear path toward sustainable impact.
Key Topics Include:
- Understanding the ED role and navigating board relationships
- Fundraising fundamentals beyond events
- Financial management and fiduciary oversight
- Building authentic partnerships with your school district
- Fostering healthy board and staff culture
- Strategic storytelling and sustainability
Schedule:
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Training10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Break
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Training
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Working lunch
12:15 PM – 3:00 PM: Final training elements & wrap up
*Includes lunch
Cost: $125
Register Here
Pre-Conference Session #2
Excellence & Exploration: Immersive Learning Through A+ and VR
Led by Brett Bonner, Dean, AEF Academy & Dir. of Professional Learning, Arizona Educational Foundation, Mark Paulsen, Dir. of Education, Arizona Educational Foundation
Experience two of Arizona’s most innovative education programs in one immersive session! Spend 90 minutes with the Arizona Educational Foundation exploring the A+ School of Excellence® program, the only statewide self-assessment model in the nation designed to identify excellence in public education. Learn how AEF uses the A+ initiative to celebrate and support schools achieving exceptional outcomes through a culture of collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement. Then, step into the future of experiential learning with Act One’s Virtual Reality Field Trips, which bring arts, culture, and science destinations directly into classrooms statewide. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies for bring the A+ School of Excellence program to your state and ideas for enriching classroom instruction through technology and storytelling.
Shuttle departs for AEF at 10:15am for an 11:00am arrival time. Half the group will begin with AEF while the other half is with Act One from 11:00am-12:30pm. At 12:30pm, lunch will be provided in the courtyard. At 1:15pm, groups will switch. Shuttle will pick up at 2:45pm to return to hotel.
*Includes lunch
Cost: $45
Register Here
Pre-Conference Session #3
Turning Data into Opportunity: Visualizing the Future of Education
Led by Danielle Gilmore, Senior Director of Strategy and Engagement, Arizona Educational Foundation, Michael Rossi, Director of Non-Profit Practice, Nashville Analytics, LLC and Helios Data Decision Center presentation led by members of the Helios team
Turning Data into Opportunity with Helios Decision Center and Nashville Analytics. The ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence is a partnership between Arizona State University and Helios Education Foundation. The interactive real-time Decision Center crowd sources multiple points of data about the education system, the resources of ASU and Helios, and education stakeholders in order to drive positive change and better student outcomes. Partnering with ASU’s Decision Theater and other ASU researchers and thought-leaders, participants will engage with the Decision Center's Tools & Visualizations to examine the education system and model and visualize the impact of potential new policies and innovative solutions on education outcomes. Learn more about the Helios Decision Center here.
Shuttle departs for the hotel for Helios Education Foundation at 12:15pm. The session starts at 1:00pm with a ten-minute introduction, then at 1:10pm groups split with one going to the Decision Center and the other staying in the room. At 2:00pm, groups switch. Shuttle departs Helios for hotel at 3:00pm.
*Includes lunch & networking
Cost: $35