Conference Schedule

Opening Ignite Speaker

Brodrick Clarke Vice-President, Programs and Systems Quality National Summer Learning Association

A dynamic force in youth development, Brodrick Clarke is more than just a master trainer or beloved keynote speaker, he's a catalyst for positive change. With a passion for empowering young minds and those who support them, Brodrick has dedicated his career to inspiring, educating, and motivating the next generation of youth development leaders. Brodrick's ability to seamlessly integrate research, best practices, and interactive simulations creates engaging learning experiences that resonate with audiences of all levels in the field. As a Professional Development expert, Brodrick possesses a rare talent for striking the perfect balance between celebration and challenge and was instrumental in producing Destination Summer Learning: A Guide to Program Innovation and Student Success. With a track record of excellence spanning over two decades, Brodrick has worked with some of the most important youth-serving organizations across the country and has extensive experience working with the K-12 student population primarily in an out-of-school time setting.

Featured Speakers

	Grace Lee Partner, Venable LLP Grace Lee focuses her practice on employment law, risk management, and other legal issues that impact independent schools. Grace works collaboratively with business officers, board members, human resources professionals, and heads of schools to advance the mission, priorities, and culture of institutions while meeting business needs and mitigating potential liability. She has significant experience formulating and implementing policies and procedures that assist her clients in complying with applicable state and federal laws.
	Aaron Dworkin CEO, National Summer Learning Association Aaron Dworkin is a national leader in the education, out-of-school time (OST) and youth development fields. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), which works to ensure all young people in America can access and afford a high-quality summer learning experience every year. Aaron oversees NSLA’s support to their network of 15,000 program partners and leaders in the areas of Program Quality, Partnerships, Policy, Public Awareness and Leadership Development.
	Damian Kavanagh President and CEO, MISBO Damian Kavanagh has been President & CEO of MISBO since 2017, leading the largest regional association for independent school operations professionals. Before that, he spent seven years with SAIS, overseeing accreditation and membership programs. He has facilitated nearly 1,000 workshops for school leaders, universities, and associations. Damian has presented at numerous conferences on independent school effectiveness and sustainability.

2025 General Schedule

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

1:00-4:00         Pre-Conference Workshops

4:00-6:00        Registration

5:00-6:30        Welcome Reception

8:00-9:00       Campfire Session
 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6

7:30-8:30          Continental Breakfast

8:30-9:15          Welcome and Introduction

9:15-10:15         Ignite General Session

10:15-10:45       Refreshments with Sponsors

11:00-12:00       Breakout Sessions 1

12:15-1:15          Lunch on the Lawn

1:30-2:45          Breakout Sessions 2 (Deep Dives)

2:45-3:15           Refreshments with Sponsors

3:30-4:30          Roundtable Discussions

5:00-6:30         Sky Line Rooftop Reception

8:00-9:00        Campfire Session

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7

6:30-7:30          Sunrise Yoga and Fun Run

7:30-8:30          Continental Breakfast

8:30-9:00         Excellence in Auxiliary Awards

9:00-10:00       Ignite General Session

10:15-10:45       Refreshments with Sponsors

10:45-12:00      Breakout Sessions 3 (Deep Dives)

12:00-1:00        Lunch on the Lawn

1:00-2:00          Breakout Sessions 4

2:15-3:15            Breakout Sessions 5

3:15-3:45           Refreshments with Sponsors

3:45-5:00          SPARCbursts

5:00-6:00         Courtyard Reception with Sponsors

8:00-9:00         Campfire Session

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8

5:30-8:00         Sunrise Camelback Mountain Hike

7:45-8:45         Continental Rooftop Breakfast

9:00-10:00      Breakout Sessions 6

10:00-10:30    Refreshments and Networking

10:30-11:30      Ignite General Session

11:30-12:00      Conference Closing Session

View last year's detailed schedule and sessions

"Thank you for a fantastic experience. I'm grateful for all that SPARC is doing to elevate our work in schools and support us in our roles."

• 2024 Conference Attendee