Keynote Speakers

Shawn Kanungo

Monday, February 26

"Strategy in a World of Disruption"

Disruption Strategist and Innovation Expert, Bestselling Author of “The Bold Ones”

As a globally recognized innovation strategist and bestselling author, Shawn Kanungo works at the intersection of creativity, business and technology. He spent 12 years at Deloitte working closely with leaders to help them better plan for the opportunities associated with disruptive innovation. Since leaving Deloitte, Kanungo has worked with hundreds of organizations on their journey to digital transformation. He’s led complex projects incorporating artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, behavioral economics, Web3 and more. Today, Kanungo is a partner with Queen & Rook, where he advises leading organizations and executives on disruptive trends and invests in early-stage ventures.

His debut book, “The Bold Ones,” has been touted as one of McKinsey’s top decision-making books for leaders. In it, Kanungo offers a playbook for individuals to become bolder and push their careers and companies forward with optimism. His approach inspires individuals to take unexpected approaches to innovation to remain competitive and relevant.

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Bertice Berry

Tuesday, February 27

"Living and Working in Purpose"

Sociologist, Comedian and Bestselling Author

Sociologist Bertice Berry, PhD., is a bestselling author and award-winning lecturer who has been named Comedian of The Year, Lecturer of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. The former host of “The Bertice Berry Show,” Berry has been featured on numerous television programs, including appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," and "BET Live.”

Berry is the author of 11 bestselling books in both fiction and non-fiction, including the inspirational memoir, “I’m On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head.” Her writing touches on a wide range of topics including race and gender issues, sociological studies, stratification, healthcare reform, humor, spirituality, and transformational leadership. She earned her doctoral degree from Kent State University at the age of 26 and holds over 10 honorary doctorates. In her writing and educational work, Berry brings her belief that everyone has been given a unique purpose, and it is our obligation to use it to improve our own self, as well as those we live and work with.

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Brett Jacobsen

Wednesday, February 28

"Leading Through Change"

Chief Executive Officer, The Mount Vernon School, Mount Vernon Ventures and Mount Vernon Online

Brett Jacobsen, Ed.D., is the CEO of The Mount Vernon School, Mount Vernon Online and Mount Vernon Ventures based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Under his leadership, Mount Vernon has gained a national reputation for innovation in education, while increasing enrollment by 60%. In 2012, Jacobsen launched the R&D lab Mount Vernon Ventures, which serves educational communities throughout the world. Ventures focuses on consulting, product development, research and development, and business development, and non-tuition revenues are invested back into the school. The school was an inaugural recipient of NBOA’s Jeffrey Shields Innovation in School Business Operations Award in 2021.

Jacobsen will speak to the power of focused and visionary leadership during times of significant transition, such as independent schools face today. While the Great Resignation appears to have passed, as has the worst of the COVID pandemic, leadership turnovers remain high, technology is turning educational models upside down, and school markets face continued pressures. Jacobsen will share evidence-based research and practical steps to navigate the rapidly changing landscape and to strengthen schools’ resilience in finance, operations, market position, people, and technology.