February 2, 2026

We hope you were able to connect with Cal-ISBOA leaders at the recent events hosted by Gallagher and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)! Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi and President Nicole Pennington attended the 37th Annual Seminar hosted by Gallagher on Thursday in Los Angeles, where they welcomed participants and supported members. Then Scarlett jetted up to San Francisco for the CAIS Trustee/School Head Conference, the nation's largest independent school governance conference, on Saturday.

At the CAIS Conference, Scarlett facilitated an important peer-to-peer conversation with Financial Stewardship Cohort participants about financial stewardship of independent schools, including current financial pressures and impact, and best practices for financial oversight. She led the group of more than 50 participants in completing a self-assessment that they completed individually and then discussed in small groups. She also shared a new pilot assessment scale launched in partnership with MISBO and PAISBOA. Cal-ISBOA members are encouraged to utilize these resources.

• Session Slides

• Independent School Assessment Scale (Pilot)

• Board Financial Stewardship Self-Assessment

Left: Cal-ISBOA President Nicole Pennington of Los Encinos School (second from left) and Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi (third from left) pose with partners from A. J. Gallagher at the 37th Annual Seminar hosted by Gallagher in Los Angeles.

Left: Scarlett with CAIS Business Officer Kim Klosterman and Director of Accreditation Mariana Robles at the CAIS Trustee / School Heads Conference in San Francisco.

Right: Nicole and Scarlett present at at the Annual Seminar hosted by Gallagher.

Below: The amazing skyline view of the Transamerica Pyramid and the Bay Bridge from the CAIS closing reception on the 17th floor.