Feature image: 2022 NBOA Annual Meeting attendees watching a keynote address.
For the first time in two years, business officers and other independent school leaders, school business partners and association executives gathered in person for the NBOA Annual Meeting, February 20-23 at the Chicago Marriott Marquis. Spirits were high, as old friends reunited, new connections were forged, keynote speakers inspired and myriad concurrent and deep dive sessions provided solutions and strategies.
Sunday’s general reception featured a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers, a nonprofit that provides tumbling training that keeps children engaged in positive skill building.
The Jesse White Tumblers at the opening reception.
On Monday, opening keynote speaker Jade Simmons, renowned pianist and media entrepreneur, inspired attendees to undertake audacious leadership.
Jade Simmons addresses the audience while attendees sit at the grand piano
during the opening keynote.
Dozens of business partners connected with school staff members throughout Monday at the exhibit hall, while dozens of sessions provided insights in financial management, risk management, human resources, leadership, and business operations among other areas.
NBOA CEO and President Jeffrey Shields, Brad Rathgeber, Nancy Greene, and
NBOA Board Chair Rose Nuebert at the NBOA Awards Luncheon.
Tuesday provided ample learning opportunities with additional sessions and the NBOA Awards Luncheon. Nancy Greene of Pine Crest School and Brad Rathgeber of One Schoolhouse, the 2022 recipients of the Ken White Distinguished Business Officer Award and the Sarah Daignault Outstanding Support of Independent Schools Award respectively, gave moving speeches, while keynote speaker Ben Nemtin provided concrete tips to help attendees achieve their biggest goals.
Ben Nemtin on stage at the NBOA Luncheon.
Recipients of the 2022 Jeffrey Shields Award for Innovation Excellence in School Business Operations accepted their awards on stage and shared videos about their initiatives:
Bennett Day School's video on the initiative to build apps to support the school's mission
and become an alternative revenue stream.
Miss Porter's School's video on the initiative to align the endowment with
goals to become and anti-racist institution.
Wednesday’s NBOA Breakfast keynote by Diversity and Inclusion Strategist Derrick Gay offered strategies to reframe diversity so that it is inclusive and productive for everyone on an independent school campus. Discussion continued in a deep dive session following the address while the final concurrent sessions concluded.
Derrick Gay continues the conversation with attendees following his keynote address at the NBOA Breakfast.
All digital-first sessions are available for live meeting attendees as well as Digital Pass holders through March 31, 2022. Digital Pass registration remains open, and keynote addresses and selected deep dive sessions will become available in early March.
Business officers connect at a refreshment break between sessions.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 NBOA Annual Meeting, Feb 19-22 in Los Angeles, at the J. W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live!
