AMISA 2023 Governance Conference

I just completed an incredible three days at the American International Schools in the Americas (AMISA) 2023 Governance Conference, where I had the honor of delivering the final keynote address and workshop! We had full day of meaningful dialogue and reflection packed with eye-opening insights and invaluable strategic outcomes for heads of schools and board members.

The primary theoretical and experiential framings of the keynote were intercultural competency and cross cultural communications. During the session, we explored the ways in which one's background and identity informs perceptions and interactions with others. These insights were then translated into specific strategies to enhance board communication and effectiveness.

Conference content was robust- including unpacking various forms of identity (ranging from personality to organizational identity) to understanding how our backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures inform our communication styles, decision-making processes, feedback mechanisms, trust, notions of time, evaluation of ideas, and overall board dynamics.

I also incorporated previous conference content around polarity management, building on the previous keynotes led by Dr. Teresa Arpin and Jennifer Abrams, to provide meaningful school-specific case studies to ensure tangible outcomes.

Particularly enlightening was the discussion on LATAM DEIB data that I have collected over the past five years consulting in the region, shedding light on the importance on the strategic and region-specific execution of intercultural competency and belonging efforts in International and American schools across the region. Indeed, there is a paucity of data in this area, so I am proud to provide LATAM educational benchmark data around DEIB linguistic framings, challenges, and opportunities.

What truly made this event special were the participants. We had over 100 individuals representing more than 15 native nationalities, coming together to exchange ideas, experiences, and strategies to improve board communication and better live the mission of our AMISA schools. We left with specific insights and actionable strategies to enhance board communications at specific schools.

Many thanks to the incredibly committed heads of schools and board members who participated in the sessions, bringing your unique perspectives and experiences to the table. And a special thanks for Dr. Robin Heslip, Dr. Dereck Rhoads, and Adam Slaton
for their unwavering support of belonging across the region.

Together, we're forging a path towards more effective and inclusive governance to promote inclusive schools where all children thrive and flourish.

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International School of Panama (ISP): Panama City, Panama

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NESA Keynote: From Good Intentions to Informed Practice