Honoring the Past, Leading the Next Chapter: Lessons from Highline Academy’s

1pm – 2.15pm MDT, 2 October 2026 ‐ 1 hour 15 mins

Room: Confluence Ballroom

Workshop Sessions

Executive leadership transitions are defining moments for any charter school organization. Drawing on Highline Academy’s recent experience, Board Chair Dr. Katherine Casey and Executive Director Dr. Natalie Lewis will reflect on managing succession with clarity and intention. 

Attendees will explore key phases of the transition lifecycle: running an inclusive, mission-aligned hiring process, scoping a structured onboarding experience, and launching a robust strategic plan. Emphasizing a strong ED–Board partnership, transparent community engagement, and proactive change management, this session will equip governance pairs with actionable frameworks to maintain organizational momentum and lead sustainable transitions.