2025 DEIJB CONFERENCE

7:30-8:15 AM - Check-In and Breakfast

8:15-8:30 AM - Welcome

8:30-9:15 AM - Honoring the Past ~ The Randolph Awards

9:15-10:30 AM - Opening Keynote: Eva Vega-Olds

10:30-10:45 AM - Break

Alternate Option 10:45 AM-12:45 PM - Head of School & Board Chair/Clerk Brunch and Visionary Service Awards 
(additional ticket purchase required at checkout. If you want to attend only the Brunch, click here.)

10:45-11:45 AM - Concurrent Workshops: The Work Today

11:45 AM-1:00 PM - Lunch (grab & go)

1:00-2:30 PM - Concurrent Workshops: Looking Forward

Alternate Option - A Strategic Look at the Head of School & DEI Director Partership (separate registration required)

2:30-2:45 PM - Break

2:45-4:00 PM - The Blair Stambaugh Ally Award and Closing Keynote: Dr. George James

Opening Keynote: Eva Vega-Olds

Eva Vega-Olds is an anti-bias, anti-racist educator and diversity, equity and  inclusion specialist with 20 years of professional experience creating change in schools, universities, nonprofit organizations and the corporate world. 

Eva creates DEI educational content tools and training resources, and leads group education through facilitated dialogue, interactive workshops and performance driven keynotes. Melding wellness with equity, emotional intelligence with practical skills building, Eva aspires to better prepare participants to take on the everyday work of personal and professional practices to heal the world. 

Eva is a vivacious introvert who engages in greenspaces for energy, creativity and soul healing by gardening, hiking, and year-round walking meditation in her suburban neighborhood in Rutherford, NJ.

Eva received a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the New School for Social  Research and is a Certified Professional Coach.

Closing Keynote: Dr. George James

Dr. George James, LMFT, MBA and CEO of George Talks, is a renowned counselor and assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University. He specializes in helping individuals with relationship struggles and personal development, serving a diverse clientele including professionals, couples, and young adults. Dr. James holds degrees in psychology, family therapy, business administration, and clinical psychology, and is recognized for his leadership and community service. In his personal life, he is a dedicated husband and father to two children.

Advising Student Affinity Groups: Moving the Needle
Fran de la Torre-Shu, Westtown School

Anti-racist Math in Elementary School: Proactive Pedagogy
Michelle Podulka, Abington Friends School

Beyond Agreement: Nurturing Civil Dialogue in Middle School
Laurie Piette, Episcopal Academy

Building Belonging: Creating Affinity Spaces in Lower School Grades at Independent Schools - Case Studies from Two Quaker Schools
Neevena Bembry, Penn Charter School

Case Studies: Practical Advice on Supporting Teachers of Color and Being an Ally
Bryan Skelly, Friends Select School

Crafting Inclusive Letters of Recommendation: Strategies for Educators and College Counselors in the Post Affirmative Action Era
Joaquim Hamilton, Germantown Academy

Embedding Inclusion, Equity, Justice, and Belonging (IEJB) in Everyday Classrooms: Practical Approaches for All Educators
Bruce Nkala, AIM Academy

Extended Reality (VR, AR, MR) as a Tool for Representation and Inclusion
John Derek Daniels, Church Farm School

Inclusive Humanities: Responsible Representation Through Literature and History
Courtney Saunders, Church Farm School

Integrating DEIJB into the Structure and Culture of the School
Sarah Weiler, Harrisburg Academy

Interwoven Paths: Strengthening Legacy through DEI and Academic Leadership Collaboration
Ryann Fapohunda Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School

Jewish Joy: Choosing to be Visibly Jewish on Campus
Christy Cook, Penn Charter School

Legacy and Vision: Strengths and Challenges in Assessing Neurodivergent Students of Color in Private Schools
Dahara Williams, The Independence School

Middle School Affinity Groups
Gabbie Álvarez-Spychalski, The Baldwin School

Navigating Masculinity in the Digital Age: The Impact of Social Media on Young Men
Alice Bateman, Penn Charter School

Rearview Mirror: Using Empathy to Look Back at the Past and Guide Our Path Forward
Monique Durso, Penn Charter School

Redefining Health: Fighting Anti-Fatness and Cultivating Body Neutrality
Liz Koster, The Baldwin School 

Roundtable Discussion: Advancing Diversity in Lower School Admissions and Retention Strategies
Brooke Giles and Kaila Mu’min, Penn Charter School

Seeing the Invisible: Acknowledging and Accommodating Disabilities in the Workplace
Latrisha Chattin, Benchmark School

Supporting LGBTQ+ Students Roundtable
Emma Cohen-Wesbrooke, Penn Charter School

Tackling Burnout and Prioritizing Well-Being as a DEIB Practitioner
Taylor Stokes, Merion Mercy School

Teaching Asian American Studies in the Classroom: A Case Study Exploring Civic Engagement in Philadelphia’s Chinatown
Kristen Kelly Penn, Charter School

Teaching Students' Rights Using tHair and the First Amendment: A Case Study (Daryl George v. Barbers Hill ISD)
Athan Biss, The Baldwin School 

The Freedom to Read and Book Banning: Curricular Strategies to Empower Students and
Educators
Faith Ward, Penn Charter School

The Importance of Mirrors: Understanding the Impact of Out Educators and Administrators on LGBTQ+ Students
Saburah Posner, The Shipley School

Thriving Together: Building a Vision for Stronger, Inclusive Teams
Garet Libbey, Garet Libbey Consulting, LLC

Unmasking Bias in AI: Teaching Implicit Bias By Making Your Own Machine Learning Model
Addison Lilholt, The Baldwin School

When Your Students Are More Relatable Than Your Colleagues: Reflections on Boundaries for Young Student-Facing Faculty
Sydnie Schwarz, Revolution School 

360° Leadership: Leading DEIJB Initiatives Across Your School Community
Lisa Howell, Delaware Valley Friends School

Beyond the Birds and the Bees - Developing and Expanding a Comprehensive Sexuality  Education Program at Your School
Emma Cohen-Wesbrooke, Penn Charter School

Bridging the Gap: Supporting Equitable Transitions to Private Schools for Students of Color
Satoia Wright, Friends Select School

Building Neuroaffirming Classrooms
Stella Mask, Wilmington Friends School

Code-Switching at School Translated: How Asian, Black & Latine Voices Remain Authentic or Not
Cory Moy, Penn Charter School

Equity Meets Efficiency: AI x Hiring in Schools
Amber Berry, Middle States Association

Forced Out: The Erasure of Black Girls in Education
Darien Headen, Greene Street Friends 

Fostering a Culture of Psychological Safety Amongst Students, Teachers and Staff
Taylor Stokes, Merion Mercy School

How to be an Identity-Conscious Art Educator (Visual Arts Teachers Roundtable)
Joy Lai , Penn Charter School

KESA (Knowing, Enduring, Service and Action): Building our Momentum for Leading while Black and Male
Mikael Yisrael, Abington Friends School

Let Us March On Til’ Victory Is Won: The History and Experiences of DEI Practitioners In Independent Schools And Their Hopes For The Future
LaShundra McCook, AIM Academy

Liberation As Stance: Literacy Toolkits to Teach For Humanity
TriciaEbarvia, Greene Street Friends 

Neurodiversity and Equity: Creating a Collaborative Path for Empowering Learners
Symone James Abiola, Sacred Heart Academy 

Reasoning With Unreasonable People: Master Skills To Manage Challenges With Confidence And Clarity In And Outside Of The Classroom
Kate Hunter,The Baldwin School

Re-Engaging Alumni of Color: Think Tank
Angeliqué Israel, Episcopal Academy

Show Selection & Casting Choices: Navigating Racism on Stage
Eva Kay Noone, Penn Charter School

The Answer is Everything: Holistic Wellness for Thriving Communities
Bri Beverly, Lotus Life Total Wellness

presents

Next Level Listening:
How to Be the
Best Listener in the Room

In today’s independent schools, where campus constituents span a broad spectrum of thought, belief, and background, school leaders need more than just vision—they need to be the best listeners in the room. 

In this hands-on address, we’ll explore how high-quality listening is not just a skill but a leadership superpower.

Participants will learn and practice listening strategies and approaches championed by professional, certified leadership coaches. As a result, leaders will emerge equipped with an understanding of a skill set strong enough to transform any school, home, or relationship. From engaging with upset parents to addressing faculty concerns to caring for students in crisis to navigating the current, polarizing political environment, with next-level listening skills at the ready, participants will be equipped to lead via high-quality listening, thereby modeling civil discourse for all campus constituencies and cultivating communities, where deeper understanding and compassion are the norm, not the exception.

The Barbara Kraus-Blackney
Visionary Service Award 

recognizes an individual or organization, usually a volunteer, for their commitment to independent education. ADVIS celebrates the fact that our individual schools, and independent schools in general, are stronger and more viable for the gifts of talent, time, energy, and resources from those volunteers that recognize the lasting positive effects our schools have on our society.