2023 Board Professionals Conference: Schedule

Edgewater Grill $$
Seafood-centric American eats & views
https://www.edgewatergrill.com/

Puesto San Diego at the Headquarters $$
Innovative, locally sourced Mexican menu
https://www.eatpuesto.com/

Margarita’s Kitchen & Cantina $$
Authentic, fresh, Mexican flavors
https://www.margaritaskitchen.com/

Louisiana Charlie’s $$
Casual Southern-style eatery, Louisiana Charlies serves up authentic Cajun cuisine
https://seaportvillage.com/casual-dining/louisiana-charlies/

San Diego Burger $$
Fresh to order meat and plant based burgers
https://www.sandiegoburgercompany.com/

Sally’s Fish House & Bar $$$
Upscale seafood restaurant near hotel on the waterfront & views
https://sallyssandiego.com/

$ = Inexpensive, usually $10 and under. $$ = Moderately expensive, usually between $10-$25. $$$ = Expensive, usually between $25-$45.

(After March 17th, please sign up on site at the Membership Experience booth – Harbor Foyer)

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This session will address the evolving environment for presidential searches, including the extensive turnover in higher education leadership, the need for a balance of transparency and confidentiality, and the impact of outside influences on these searches.  The search consultants and board professional will share their perspectives; they will also present a brief case study of a recent presidential search that benefited from a strong partnership between the search firm and board staff.  The second part of the session will be interactive, with ample time for discussion of key questions from session attendees.

Presenters:
Rod J. McDavis, PhD, managing principal, AGB Search
Melissa K. Trotta, EdD, associate managing principal, AGB Search
Michelle Kiss, MPA, associate vice chancellor and chief of staff to the board of trustees, California State University System

Preparing for, executing, and wrapping up board meetings are critical areas of focus for all board professionals. In this interactive session, we will address some of these core areas. Participants will also help select the areas for exploration, ensuring they leave the session with practical, implementable ideas for keeping their board members appropriately engaged while enhancing their value to the board and institution. Topics will be relevant for individuals from public institutions, private institutions, and foundations. This session will challenge you to enhance the value you bring to your work every day.

Presenters:
Heather M. Fehn, chief of staff and secretary to the board, College of New Jersey
Lisa Cousino-Hoersten, executive assistant and board liaison, University of Toledo Foundation

Successful communications are one part information, one part public relations, and one part strategic messaging. A critical responsibility of the board professional is crafting communications for the board. This session will explore the various types of writing required, from meeting materials, minutes, and situation briefings to board statements, ceremonial resolutions, and scripts, and how to find the appropriate voice for each.

Presenters:
Lorrie Kyle, PhD, executive director, Office of the President, Rollins College
Char Reed, vice president and university secretary, Kent State University

Board professionals are often called on for their ability to expertly plan meetings. Many times, these are board meetings that must conform to various standards of decorum. Other times, board professionals have the opportunity to shape the structure of a meeting to help unlock the powerful thinking of a group to promote innovation, creativity, and buy-in. Come learn about microstructures and small changes to meetings and group dynamics that will help you become the go-to person for helping groups unlock their power and potential. This session is interactive and will engage you in various activities so that everyone “learns by doing.”

Presenter:
Katie Herschede, EdD, vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, Widener University

The University of Sydney, Australia’s oldest and leading university, has embedded a governance review framework for the university’s Senate. The framework captures the elements of individual and whole-body reviews over a 10-year forecast to ensure the Senate effectively reviews its own performance in light of its functions and obligations. This interactive session will provide participants with a case study highlighting issues identified and steps put in place as a result of the reviews. It will also provide tools for other institutions to consider using to highlight areas for focus and improvement.

Presenters:
David Pacey, chief governance officer, University of Sydney
Alyssa White, president, Association of Australian University Secretaries (AAUS)

The context of independent higher education presents its own opportunities and challenges for board professionals looking to be strategic partners in fulfilling the mission of their institutions. Join colleagues from independent colleges and universities to talk more about board professionals’ roles and how they might evolve in the years ahead. Come with your experiences, insights, and questions as we dig deeper into the morning plenary. Bring along some business cards, too, since you’ll be connecting with these colleagues throughout our time together.

Facilitators:
Sheila Severson, executive assistant to the president and administrator for the board of trustees, Viterbo University
Kai Swanson, special assistant to the president, Augustana College 

Join your colleagues at this concurrent session to have an in-depth discussion about the plenary speaker’s presentation. Board professional colleagues from both public institutions and foundations will facilitate the session and help the group unpack important topics raised during the morning plenary. The session will also offer a great opportunity to network with your peers in an open environment.

Facilitators:
Tina Montemayor, executive secretary to the board, The University of Texas System Administration
Nicole Reeves, executive officer for trustee relations, University of New Mexico Foundation

Facilitator:
Katie Herschede, vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, Widener University

Facilitator:
Joshua Merchant, chief of staff and secretary to the board of trustees, Oakland University

Facilitator:
Kai Swanson, special assistant to the president, Augustana College

Facilitator:
Heather Fehn, chief of staff and secretary to the board, College of New Jersey

Facilitator:
Jessica Burns, board administrator/executive to CEO, West Virginia University Foundation

Facilitators:
Lisa Cousino-Hoersten, executive assistant to the president and board liaison, University of Toledo Foundation
Matthew Paskin, executive assistant to the president and board coordinator, University of Alaska Foundation

Facilitator:
Gayle Horwitz, senior advisor to the chancellor and secretary of the board, City University of New York

Facilitator:
Michele Nelson, vice president for board affairs and university strategy, Seton Hall University

Facilitator:
Brent Schrader, associate university secretary, University of Delaware

Facilitator:
Tina Holloway, director of board technology services, University of Texas System

A well-planned onboarding process provides new board members with a solid foundation that can help them understand and make the effort to achieve expectations of trusteeship. Establishing meaningful and personal relationships with new trustees can be challenging in our hybrid environments. This session will provide examples and tips on creating a memorable flipped orientation experience to develop a positive path for trustees’ engagement that will be beneficial to their personal and professional development while encouraging them to become high-functioning contributors to the board and institution.

Presenters:
Gayle Horwitz, senior advisor to the chancellor and secretary of the board, City University of New York (CUNY)
Denise Nelson Nash, PhD, vice president and secretary of the board, Scripps College
Jessica Spruill, director of fund agreements and ECU foundation liason, East Carolina University Foundation

Our roles as board professionals are complicated as we navigate through our duties to college and university presidents, boards, and campus leadership. Few positions require such skilled “diplomacy, discretion, and duty” as we address day-to-day operations and implementation of policies and procedures for our institutions. Join us as we discuss how interacting with those who make our institutions tick, imbued with sensitivity, ensures they feel they belong and effectively benefit our role—all while balancing friendships and relationships, the need for discretion, and the legal obligations that characterize what we do.

Presenters:
Sheyonn Baker, executive assistant to the president, secretary to the board of trustees, Hollins University
Richard Uchida, vice president, general counsel, and secretary of the college, Colby College

During this session, participants will review the basics and get answers to all the questions they were afraid to ask. Although board professionals do not serve as parliamentarians, they are expected to know and understand basic rules, motions, and procedures, which in turn helps boards run orderly and efficient meetings. This session will be interactive, encouraging discussions and questions from participants.

Presenter:
Jason Langworthy, board associate, policy & committees, Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota

Are you ready for the next crisis? We don’t get to choose when a crisis will come to our campuses. But the choices we make now will have a major impact on how well our institutions and their leadership weather the storm, whenever and however it might break. Join professional crisis management consultants and seasoned board professionals for an interactive conversation on crisis management. You’ll come away with ideas on how to prepare your board, your colleagues, and most importantly yourself to respond to crises and safely navigate the rocky shoals of reputational risk.

Presenters:
Simon Barker, managing partner, Blue Moon Consulting Group
Cynthia Sanchez Escamilla, chief of staff, vice president, and general counsel, University of the Incarnate Word

Information sharing is the key to enabling your board members to perform their fiduciary duty effectively and serve as ambassadors for your institution. In this session, we will explore tools and strategies for keeping your board members informed and engaged while also tracking their engagement and participation. Whether you’re a team of one embracing the power of Excel or have an in-house business intelligence team, this session will provide you with useful takeaways.

Presenters:
Lauren Ferguson, assistant vice president, board relations, University of Central Florida
Elizabeth Kassebaum, executive secretary to the board of trustees and vice president for college projects, College of Charleston
Lauren Norris, senior director for board operations and volunteer engagement, University of Maryland
Becky Fullmer, assistant vice president for advancement services, University of Central Florida Foundation

Join two members of the development team of AGB’s new Board Professionals Certificate Program to explore the benefits and expectations of this exclusive online program created for and by board professionals. Learn more about the robust portfolio of knowledge you will master as a participant, recognition you will earn upon completion, suggestions on how you can quickly apply your learning in practice, and insights from colleagues who’ve completed the program since it went live in July 2022. This interactive session is meant to help you determine if this program may be a good next step for you in elevating your role and impact in supporting your institution, system, or foundation board.

Presenters: 
Lynnette M. Heard, MEd, senior consultant, senior fellow and ambassador to the Council of Board Professionals, AGB Consulting
Charlene K. Reed, PhD, vice president and university secretary, Kent State University

Facilitator:
Laure Christensen, chief of staff, Park University

Facilitator:
Elizabeth Kassebaum, executive secretary to the board of trustees and vice president for college projects, College of Charleston

Facilitator:

Linda Barge-Miles, chief of staff/board liaison, Florida A&M University

Facilitator:

Ada Porter, secretary to the university, American University of Beirut

Facilitators:

Jason Langworthy, policy manager and assistant secretary, University of Minnesota System

Facilitators:
Lisa Cousino-Hoersten, executive assistant to the president and board liaison, University of Toledo Foundation
Jessica Burns, board administrator/executive to CEO, West Virginia University Foundation

Facilitator:
Denise Nelson Nash, vice president/secretary of the board, Scripps College

Facilitator:

Sheyonn Baker, executive assistant to the president, secretary to the board of trustees, Hollins University

Facilitators:

Kathleen Keck, executive assistant to the president, Paul Smith’s College
Vikki Gore, executive assistant to the president/board, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Facilitators:
Anne Fenton, deputy secretary of the board, City University of New York (CUNY)
Brent Schrader, associate university secretary, University of Delaware

Facilitator:
Joshua Merchant, chief of staff and secretary to the board of trustees, Oakland University

Are you thinking about going paperless? Do you need help choosing a board portal? Or have you already made the conversion and want to talk about how to get the most out of your portal? Come talk all things board portal with experienced hands.

Facilitator:
Gayle Horwitz, senior advisor to the chancellor and secretary of the board, City University of New York (CUNY)

Do your trustees attend the AGB National Conference on Trusteeship? Do you attend with them? Are they attending institutionally appropriate concurrent sessions? Help yourself and your trustees make the most of their NCT experience. Stop by this Ideas Exchange conversation to hear about strategies to increase the value of the NCT for your trustees, president, and yourself.

Facilitator:
Heather Fehn, chief of staff and secretary to the board, College of New Jersey

Expand your board professionals (BPs) network. Have you ever felt alone and needed a life preserver in support of your board responsibilities? Learn how to connect with your fellow BPs to discuss challenges and ideas, share experiences and best practices, and, best of all, build relationships and form a network of peers around the world. Join us at the Ideas Exchange Forum to learn more about the BP community online network.

Facilitators:
Matt Paskin, executive assistant to the president and board coordinator, University of Alaska Foundation
Brent Schrader, associate university secretary, University of Delaware

Learn tips and best practices for productively assisting your board and appropriately communicating inside and outside of the boardroom.

Facilitator:
Melissa Orth, senior director for government relations and assistant university secretary, University of Florida

Engaged boards are more likely to be productive and effective. Well-organized meetings with relevant and engaging content are one powerful strategy. Another equally powerful strategy is to engage board members in multiple activities that deepen connections with the institution and its community, and among board members. This Ideas Exchange will focus on leveraging social time with board members to grow relationships and strengthen connections. Come learn what others are doing and share your tips.

Facilitator:
Denise Nelson Nash, PhD, vice president and secretary of the board, Scripps College

Do you have a Mary Poppins bag from which you miraculously pull things when needed? Are you looking to fill your board “go bag” with items you “never thought of” or “are good to have”? If so, visit with two experienced board professionals and get tips and tricks to be prepared for the unexpected.

Facilitators:
Jessica Burns, board administrator, executive to the CEO, West Virginia University Foundation
Jessica Spruill, director of fund agreements and ECU foundation liason, East Carolina University Foundation

Imagine being able to control or automate your computer, the apps and websites you use, and your most common activities right from the push of a button. Whether you want to speed up repetitive tasks, get reminders, or just have a bit of fun, the Elgato Stream Deck makes a great productivity tool.

Facilitator:
Tina Holloway, director of board technology services, University of Texas System

In this session, you will learn how to pull complex documents including bylaws, resolutions, and internal practices into a single matrix outlining the decision-making process for matters requiring committee and board approval. A completed matrix is a useful tool in providing transparency about the officers within your organization who are consulted and can also serve as a roadmap for committee recommendations prior to approval by your full board.

Facilitator:
Rebecca Brown, vice chancellor, secretary to the board,
and chief of staff, Washington University

Join us as we explore ideas to include former board members who want to remain engaged with the institution and ways to honor them for their extraordinary service.

Facilitators:
Tamara Stoner, chair, Board Professionals Leadership Group; university secretary, assistant vice president of enterprise risk management and insurance, Delaware State University
Vicki Reaume, vice president and secretary to the board of regents, Eastern Michigan University

https://theshouthouse.com/

Laugh, sing, and shout the night away at San Diego’s BEST Live Music Venue. The Shout House’s dueling piano show consists of two piano players performing at face-to-face grand pianos. The performances are high energy, with audience participation, comedy, sing-along, and staff dancing on stage.

https://seaportvillage.com/

This 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment complex recreates a harborside setting of a century ago. The village includes 54 one-of-a-kind shops, 13 casual dining eateries, and four fine-dining waterfront restaurants. Located in close proximity to all local hotels, the complex is open 10:00 AM–10:00 PM.

https://www.gaslamp.org/

In the historic Gaslamp Quarter, where modern architecture and Victorian Age buildings stand side by side, you’ll discover eclectic galleries, chic boutiques, trendy nightclubs, rooftop bars, gastropubs, and craft beer haunts, along with fine dining restaurants lining the streets.

According to “The Effective Hybrid Board,” written by Thomas K. Hyatt for Trusteeship magazine, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way classes are taught and meetings are conducted. Join us to learn how we are adapting to and leading the way in the new age of board meetings. Presenters will share experiences and strategies around hosting hybrid meetings by exploring what works, what doesn’t, and the critical role technology can play in ensuring board operations are effective and efficient.

Presenters:
Laure Christensen, chief of staff, Park University
Lauren Norris, senior director for board operations and volunteer engagement, University of Maryland
Nicole Reeves, executive officer for trustee relations, University of New Mexico Foundation

This session will explore ways the board professional can guide the nominating committee/committee on trusteeship to strategically recruit new board members and develop a pipeline of future strong board member candidates. Once they’ve joined the board, nothing is more important than engagement in the first year. We’ll share onboarding and orientation ideas focused on meaningful conversations that educate your new board members regarding the crucial issues facing your institution and higher education today. Come share your best tips!

Speakers:
Matthew Paskin, executive assistant to the president and board coordinator, University of Alaska Foundation
Ada Porter, secretary to the university, American University of Beirut

With a new shared governance publication from AGB soon to be required reading by board professionals across the higher education landscape, it might be good to check in on the institution that served as a laboratory for AGB’s Shared Governance in Times of Change. That book, first published in 2014, was written by Steven Bahls when he was president at Augustana College. In this session, you’ll join a former faculty governance chair and a current board professional/presidential assistant for a candid discussion of the hits and misses of the “alignment model” for shared governance.

Presenters:
Greg Domski, PhD, associate dean of academic strategic priorities, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and former chair of the Faculty Council, Augustana College
Kai Swanson, special assistant to the president, Augustana College

Missed a session on Saturday that you really wanted to join? Or was there a session you really loved and want to see happen again? Log into the app between 3-5pm PT on Saturday afternoon to vote for your favorite! After voting closes, a final decision will be made, and details will be announced Sunday morning.

Whether you have been in your position for 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years, it is never too early or too late to pay attention to your own growth and development as a professional. Come hear from two seasoned professionals who have grown their own roles throughout their careers to ensure they continue to learn and enhance their skills while increasing the value they provide to the institutions they serve.

Speakers:
Sally Churchill, vice president and secretary, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Heather Fehn, chief of staff and secretary to the board, College of New Jersey

A perfect storm of challenges is facing higher education institutions and has rendered their path to sustainability unclear. To deliver a quality education at an affordable price, colleges and universities need a clear understanding of what today’s students need and expect; command of their differentiation strategy and market position; and intentional use of every resource toward their strategic, academic, and research priorities. Easier said than done – this session will explore the role an institution’s board professional can/should play in driving the right analysis, discussion, and decisions to ensure long-term sustainability.

Presenters:
Brian Steeves, executive director and corporate secretary, University of Minnesota Board of Regents
Christine Smith, managing director – higher education, Baker Tilly