Join Us for the 2026
Safety & Security Summit!

Thank You to our 2026 Sponsor Hines Building Maintenance! 

9:00am - 9:15am 

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15am - 10:15am 
Using Your Tech Powers for Good: Proactive Tech Tips for Campus Safety

Session Description: Proactive school safety requires both great tools and caring humans. In this session, we'll explore some approaches to school safety from a technical lens as well as a safety mindset. Learn about some of the latest research from the Secret Service and how to apply these strategies for your campus and community, how to set up your school to think from an intervention mindset to get support where it is needed, and some tech tips you can implement immediately in support of campus safety.

Presenter: Jamie Lewsadder (La Canada Unified, CTO)

11:30am - 12:30pm

Lunch

12:30pm - 1:30pm
Adventures in Transportation: Navigating the Maze of Traffic Safety Planning

Session Description: School parking lots are high-risk zones where students, faculty, and vehicles frequently intersect, making meticulous planning essential for campus safety. This session explores real-world case studies from diverse schools to share best practices for signage, rideshare management, and neighborhood relations. Participants will 'choose their own adventure' through a hands-on tabletop activity, tackling live traffic scenarios alongside colleagues facing similar challenges. You will leave with a comprehensive checklist to guide your parking lot safety planning for years to come!

Presenters: Pamela Connor (The Archer School for Girls, Director of Facilities and Operations), Gayle Taylor (Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, Director of Facilities), and Bridget Guerra (The Athenian School, Director of Operations)

Pamela Connor
(The Archer School for Girls, Director of Facilities and Operations)

Pamela Connor is the Director of Facilities and Operations at The Archer School for Girls, a 6-12 day school in Los Angeles, where transportation challenges range from limited parking availability to complex traffic flow mandates and sensitive neighbor relations. She leverages over 20 years of operations expertise, from K-12 to university level institutions, which includes extensive experience coordinating logistics and directing operations in highly challenging, high-traffic environments and major urban corners. Pamela looks forward to contributing her practical knowledge in safety planning and community engagement to this session.

Bridget Guerra
(The Athenian School, Director of Operations)

Bridget Guerra is the Director of Operations at The Athenian School, a 6–12 independent day and boarding school in Northern California. Her work centers on planning and decision-making around campus security systems, including camera strategy, governance, and long-term sustainability. She collaborates closely with technology, facilities, boarding, and school leadership to assess needs and implement solutions that align with daily campus operations. Bridget brings a practical, vendor-neutral perspective informed by evaluating system models, managing legacy infrastructure, and asking the right questions before selecting solutions.

Jamie Lewsadder is the Associate Superintendent of Technology Services for La Cañada Unified. The LCUSD Tech Team strives to shift the balance from managing students to empowering students. Her personal charge is to leave anyone the tech department counters smarter than they found them by teaching basic tech support skills, encouraging a new lesson, or uncovering an efficiency. Along with technology, an equal passion is teaching. Previous roles have included teaching high school, beginning teachers, and aspiring technology leaders. She recently obtained her doctorate in learning and leadership for organizations from Vanderbilt University.

Eleazar Madrid
(Redwood Day School, Director of Facilities & Operations)

Eleazar Madrid is the Director of Facilities & Operations at Redwood Day School, a K-8 school in Oakland, CA. Leveraging nine years of experience in school operations and property management, he focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining safe, well-managed learning environments. He oversees campus safety, emergency preparedness, facilities, and operations, and works closely with the CFO/COO on capital projects and long-term planning. He leads large-scale construction and renovation efforts and is deeply committed to sustainability, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

David Marcus
(de Toledo High School, Director of Facilities)

David is a founding board member and the first Business Manager of de Toledo High School, where he has served in leadership roles for 25 years and now oversees all facilities operations. With a 15-year background in accounting and quality assurance, he helped establish the school and later specialized in new-facility construction, maintenance, campus security, and rentals. A recognized author and presenter on school safety, emergency preparedness, and institutional security, David has spoken to regional and national organizations. He advocates for a collaborative, multi-agency approach to school security that integrates governmental, private, and community resources.

Jared Mata
(Saint Andrew's Episcopal School, Director of Operations and Safety)

Jared is the Director of Operations & Safety at Saint Andrew’s School, where he oversees campus operations, facilities, and comprehensive safety and security planning. With eight years of experience in independent schools, his background spans project management, capital planning, regulatory compliance, and the development of school-wide safety, emergency preparedness, and communication protocols. His work focuses on proactive risk management, campus infrastructure improvement, and creating practical systems that support students, staff, and families.

Gayle Taylor
(Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, Director of Facilities)

Originally from the east coast, Gayle relocated to SoCal. She comes from the Property Management world and worked for Cushman & Wakefield at the largest square-footage-wise high-rise (at that time) in DTLA, known as the Security Pacific Bank building, then to ARCO....then to BofA. She answered a blind ad 27 years ago at Crossroads, where the department has grown leaps and bounds. When she first took the job, 21 reported to her; today, it’s over 80 people.