CAIS + CATDC Responsive Leadership Workshop: Upholding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Independent Schools

Aug 04, 2025 10:00AM—Aug 06, 2025 12:00PM

Location

Virtual

Cost $250

Categories , , ,

CAIS + CATDC Responsive Leadership Workshop: Upholding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Independent Schools

SESSION 1: August 4, 2025 | 10:00am - 12:00pm

SESSION 2: August 6, 2025 | 10:00am - 12:00pm

ABOUT THIS ONLINE SUMMER INSTITUTE

This two-day virtual Summer Institute is designed for school leadership teams to meet the moment in upholding and sustaining DEI efforts. We will explore the legal landscape, assess institutional risks, and develop strategies that align with mission and values. Our purpose is to come together to reaffirm and strengthen our shared work fostering equity and inclusion.

On day one, participants will reflect on their schools' commitment to DEI and learn from experts about what is legal, what is not, and how to navigate the current landscape. On day two, participants will use a risk management tool to assess what is at stake for their school communities. There will also be dedicated time to create an action plan and collaborate with other school leaders.

Participants will:

  • Reflect on their schools' values and commitment to DEI
  • Explore the legal landscape concerning DEI
  • Practice risk assessment using a risk management tool
  • Create and share an action plan

AUDIENCE

School administrators, DEI directors, and any educators responsible for institutional DEI efforts. Ideal for teams. 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools)

CATDC and CAIS are excited to continue their partnership offering highly responsive virtual programs specifically designed for school leadership teams. This program is for CAIS and CATDC member schools only.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Cheryl Adenekan, CATDC Facilitator

Cheryl Adenekan spent her youth in Lakewood, Colorado, before embarking on a journey that took her from Mozambique with the Peace Corps to teaching English and Theater in Phoenix, AZ. After four years, Cheryl expanded her horizons in Chengdu, China, and later in Shanghai, where she taught English and eventually became the Language Learning Director. Returning to Colorado, she taught at a Charter School in Aurora, fostering a love for theater. This passion led her to Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew, where she spent some time as a theater teacher before becoming the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Currently, Cheryl is the Director of Equity and Learning for the California Association of Independent Schools. Since 2007, she have been an active member of SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Inclusion), serving on the National SEED staff for four years. Additionally, she is the secretary of the Board of Northern California PoCIS and a board member of Canamac Productions, an Equity and Learning virtual platform/experience/consulting team. In these roles, Cheryl is dedicated to understanding the positionality and politics of the spaces she enters, driven by a passion for fostering just relationships. She lives in San Mateo, CA, with her husband and 17-year-old twins.

 

Lauren Benjamin, CATDC Facilitator and Northern California Director

Lauren Benjamin has cultivated a thriving career as a multidisciplinary artist and educator for over 20 years. Lauren earned her BFA in painting and photography and holds a Master’s in Education. She is an alum of dance epicenter Jacob’s Pillow and CATDC’s Leadership Fellows. She worked as a supervisor to student teachers at Mills College Graduate School of Education, where she was able to mentor and coach new teachers as well as experienced professionals new to the field of education. Lauren believes in sharing the power of identity development through the lens of the arts and has published her curriculum with Frameline Organization and presented at educational conferences, including conferences held by the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) and Project Zero of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. During Lauren's eight-year tenure at Sacred Heart Schools Atherton, she held multiple roles including Dance Program Director and Fine Arts Department Chair. Her most recent position was Assistant Principal of Mission & Culture, where she centered belonging in the school’s adult onboarding and school-wide student programs. In 2023, Lauren joined the CATDC team as the Northern California Director, bringing her extensive experience in education and leadership to facilitate professional growth and collaboration among teachers in the region. She identifies as a love practitioner who aims to build community through her teaching practice and leadership.

 

Deb Dowling, CATDC Facilitator

As Executive Director of the California Association of Independent Schools, Dr. Deborah Dowling oversees the accreditation of independent schools in California, and supports professional development opportunities for the heads and trustees of member schools. Previously, Deborah held the roles of Assistant Head at Chadwick School, Upper School Director at Bridges Academy, and Director of Studies at Harvard-Westlake School. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Deborah holds a bachelor's degree in physics and a doctorate in the history and philosophy of science. She has taught a variety of subjects from kindergarten through undergraduate. Deborah lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Andrew, and two large dogs, Buffy and Willow.

 

Lisa Haney, CATDC Executive Director

A lifelong educator of youth and adults, Lisa Haney believes deeply in the transformative power of education. She began her career focused on international and multicultural education, teaching in Japan, Mexico and Martinique before landing at the Athenian School in Danville, California. In her 25 years at Athenian she served in many roles, including international program director, literature teacher, and humanities department chair, before becoming dean of faculty development and a member of the leadership team. Beyond Athenian, Lisa has engaged in teacher education through UC Berkeley Extension, as well as the Berkeley and San Francisco Unified School Districts, and was selected for a year-long fellowship by the US State Department to support teacher development in Tanzania. Lisa holds a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.A.T. from the School for International Training, Vermont. She is board chair at the Berkeley School and an enrolled student in a Masters/PhD program in community psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Grace Chan, CATDC Guest Speaker

Grace Chan, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, focuses her practice on education law, employment law, risk management and non-profit governance and represents independent and private schools as well as nonprofit organizations.  Grace serves as a trusted advisor to boards, heads of school, business officers and human resources professionals, and works with clients to mitigate risk and develop best practices, while supporting the advancement of each client’s operational needs and mission. Grace advises schools and nonprofits in all aspects of employment matters, such as negotiating and drafting employment and executive agreements, preparing employee handbooks and employment policies, addressing claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, and advising on disability accommodation issues, leaves, wage and hour compliance and employee misconduct and discipline. Grace also advises schools on all aspects of student and parent issues, including preparing enrollment agreements and student handbooks, managing effective student and parent relationships, addressing concerns of harassment, bullying and student misconduct, as well as advising on student discipline, privacy, disability accommodations, mandated reporting, tuition disputes and breach of contract claims.  Grace regularly advises on legal considerations pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion, including how to engage in such work while mitigating risk. Grace works extensively in the area of non-profit governance, including advising on governance structure, board functions and operations, conflict of interest issues, fiduciary duties and membership termination procedures, as well as preparing governance documents such as articles, bylaws and board and corporate policies.

Michael Blacher, CATDC Guest Speaker

Michael Blacher, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, is a partner and Chair of the firm’s Private Education Practice Group. His practice is solely focused on representing California private schools. He brings passion and creativity to the practice of law and works collaboratively with clients to solve their most challenging and important issues. His approach is proactive and thoughtful. Michael works with schools on virtually every aspect of education law. He frequently advises boards on governance issues and administrators on employment and student matters. He works with schools to prepare policies and develop best practices that reflect their particular mission and values.  Michael represents a broad array of religious schools and is an expert in the First Amendment’s ministerial exception and other unique constitutional and statutory areas of federal and California law. He has testified before the California Legislature on the ministerial exception and its interaction with California law. Michael is one of the firm’s most sought-after presenters. He conducts individual training to schools – both in-person and virtually – and regularly presents for state and national organizations such as California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the California Independent Schools Business Officers Association, (Cal-ISBOA), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the National Business Officers Association (NBOA). Developing meaningful, long-lasting relationships with client is the most satisfying part of Michael’s practice.

Cancellation Policy

Life happens. We understand that there will be times when you cannot attend a workshop that you have registered and paid for. We strive to be as helpful and flexible as possible when things out of your control happen. Please visit our FAQ page for detailed information about our cancellation policy and answers to frequently asked questions about enrollment and membership.