General Sessions
Keynote Feature: Newton Cheng
Thursday, Feb. 26 at 9:45 AM | Rocky Mountain Ballroom
Newton Cheng is a husband, father, world champion powerlifter, and former Director of Health + Performance at Google, where he spent 16 years designing and scaling programs that help people thrive at work. Known for his honest and vulnerable leadership style, Newton openly shares his own experiences with burnout and mental health to break the stigma leaders often feel around “pushing through.”
In this keynote, he explores how high-achieving individuals and teams can sustain performance while protecting their well-being. Charter school leaders will gain practical strategies to prevent burnout, lead with empathy and clarity, and build healthier, more resilient school communities for both staff and students.
Crisis Comms: Leaders Going Above and Beyond for Their Schools
Featuring Leaders from across Colorado Charter Schools
Moderated by Jeremy Story, GroundFloor Media
Thursday, Feb. 26 at 3:00 PM | Rocky Mountain Ballroom
During this candid afternoon general session, a panel of experienced school leaders will share the moments that shaped them most — the ones no preparation guide or leadership book could fully anticipate. From high-stakes challenges beyond the school walls to navigating governance tensions, community dynamics, and complex communications, they’ll reflect honestly on what leadership really looks like when the stakes are high.
Through personal stories and practical lessons, panelists will discuss what they learned, what they’d do differently, and how those experiences changed how they lead today. Charter school leaders will walk away with real-world insights, perspective, and strategies to navigate uncertainty, make tough decisions with confidence, and lead their schools and teams through complexity.
Panel: The Power of Together During Challenge
Featuring the League's Board: Greg Hatcher, Mary Seawell, and Luke Ragland
Moderated by Dan Schaller
Friday, Feb. 27 at 9:45 AM | Rocky Mountain Ballroom
Start the hour with special guest from the State Capitol. Then join our Board Panelists to discuss how we navigate across political lines for the benefit of the entire charter sector. Today's panel will discuss how, rather than 'going it alone,' we embrace the idea of 'Forward Together' and the bipartisan nature of our mission, principles, and the movement overall.
So Where Next? Reflections on Service
Dan Schaller and Hall of Fame Guests
Friday, Feb. 27 at 12:30 PM | Rocky Mountain Ballroom
Join our closing session where the League's president and special guests reflect on what makes our community so special, powerful, and ready for the journey ahead. We'll gather in the last moments of lunch in the Rocky Mountain Ballroom before the final workshop sessions and the trip back to our schools, beginning the journey forward.