Allyship, Connection, Engagement: Women in School Leadership Conference

Located in conference center lobby at the Doubletree by Hilton

Location: Brickyard I, II, & III

Dr. Ani Yazedjian serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and provides leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and assessment of all academic programs and many service areas. The Provost serves as the chief academic officer of the University with responsibility for academic and senior-level internal leadership and serves as the primary representative for the President in his absence.

The Provost also coordinates the team of senior staff to achieve the University's established major goals as identified by the President and the Board of Trustees. This team coordinates reporting units, carries out teaching and learning initiatives, and works with the Academic Senate, Administrative/Professional Council, Civil Service Council, Student Government Association and other representative bodies to maintain the university's tradition of shared governance.

Exhausted Excellence: Caring isn’t the problem. Capacity is.

by Sandye Brown

Location: Brickyard I, II, & III

9:00-10:30 a.m.

Women leaders in education are not struggling because they lack skill, commitment, or care. They are exhausted because they are carrying more than they were ever designed to hold.

In this powerful keynote, Sandye Brown reframes burnout, overextension, and even what we often call imposter syndrome through the lens of nervous system capacity. Drawing on the concept of the “body budget,” she reveals why high-performing leaders continue patterns they know are unsustainable—and why traditional advice around boundaries and self-care often falls short.

Participants will gain a new understanding of emotional load, over-serving as a learned leadership strategy, and the critical role of regulation in sustaining impact. More importantly, they will leave with a practical, embodied pathway to lead without abandoning themselves.

This is not a call to care less.
It is an invitation to lead with capacity.

Sandye Brown is the Founder and CEO of Wide Awake, Inc., a transformational leadership development firm serving clients nationwide in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A pioneer in the coaching profession, she co-founded The Coaching for Leaders program in 2004 and serves as its principal leadership coach and co-facilitator.

One of only 2,600 coaches worldwide to hold the prestigious Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential from the International Coach Federation, Sandye brings more than 40 years of experience as a transformation architect and executive coach. She has guided thousands of leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs to expand their capacity, embody coaching mindsets, and lead with greater impact.

Known for her integrative approach, Sandye combines transformational technologies with leadership mindfulness to help leaders create breakthroughs in presence, performance, and personal fulfillment. Drawing on her own lifelong journey of transformation, she is deeply skilled at valuing multiple perspectives and working effectively with leaders across cultures, industries, and organizational levels.

The Panel Discussion You Didn’t Know You Needed to Hear

by Julie Dillon, Anne Noble, Sharon Uslan, & Dr. Ann Williams

Location: Brickyard I, II, & III 

10:50-11:40 a.m.

 School finance is Julie Dillon’s second career. She first served as a public accounting auditor and in various roles at four fortune 100 companies. However, volunteer work at her kids’ schools inspired her to earn CSBO certification. She then became the CFO/CSBO for a cooperative in Highland Park and later the CFO for Woodstock D200. Dillon has also taught accounting at the community college level, served on the Woodstock City Council, and operated her own tax and accounting business.  

 

 Dr. Ann Williams is a nationally recognized education executive with over 20 years of experience leading finance, operations, and equity-focused reform in large urban school systems. As Deputy Superintendent and Treasurer for School District U-46 in Illinois, she oversees a $850M+ budget, $400M+ in active capital projects, and supervises 900 employees across five operational departments. Dr. Williams chairs the DEI Committee for Illinois ASBO, serves on the ASBO International SFO Certification Commission, and is a member of ISBE’s Evidence-Based Funding Review Panel. She is also the Author and Editor-in-Chief for the forthcoming edition of *The Essentials of School Finance*. A longtime adjunct professor, nonprofit board leader, and consultant to schools and mission-driven organizations, Dr. Williams is also an accredited investor with interest in education technology, public-private partnerships, and equity-centered ventures.

Anne Noble is a Managing Director of Public Finance for Stifel.  She has worked helping school districts fund capital improvement needs with bonds and generally solving financial challenges since 1989. Anne’s investment banking expertise is in K-12 and Higher Education finance in the mid-central region, with a particular emphasis in Illinois. Ms. Noble has structured and sold bonds for over 700 school districts valued in excess of $6 billion.  Anne also serves as Chairperson of the Stifel Public Finance leadership team. Ms. Noble is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and carries six FINRA securities industry licenses.

 

Sharon Uslan, MBA, CSBO, CPD, LEED AP, and Assoc. DBIA, is a creative, strategic collaborator and relationship manager.  She is s currently the central U.S. Regional Director for Engie Services US. She was recruited by Engie US to develop long-term partnerships with public institutional leaders to implement complex, turnkey projects.  Her extensive corporate work experiences have been characterized by building trusting relationships and positive outcomes in schools across Illinois. Outside interests include being a personal body strength trainer and Certified Historic and Modern Architectural Tour Leader for the Chicago Architecture Center.   She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and also holds an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. 

 

 

Located in conference center lobby at the Doubletree by Hilton

Tripping the Prom Queen: Dismantling the Double Bind and Reclaiming Belonging 

by Dr. Tiffany S. Brunson

Location: Brickyard IV

Dr. Tiffany S. Brunson is a visionary superintendent, Chicago native, and U.S. Army veteran whose three-decade career embodies courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to equity and excellence. As Superintendent of Elementary School District 159, she leads with a human-centered approach that transforms systems, empowers educators, and elevates student voice and belonging. 

A trailblazer and the first to lead in many of her roles, Dr. Brunson is a founding board member of the Illinois Alliance of Black School Educators and President-Elect of the Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity. A contributing author to Centering Our Voices: The Anthology, she amplifies the experiences of Black women in education. Honored as a 2025 Illinois Transformative Superintendent, Dr. Brunson is known for connecting purpose with practice and leading with heart, hope, and vision.

Positioned to Lead: Women Navigating the Superintendent Search

Insights, strategies, and self-advocacy for securing the superintendency

by Dr. Karen Sullivan

Location: Brickyard V

 This session is designed to empower and equip women who are considering or actively pursuing the superintendency. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the superintendent search process, including how decisions are made, what boards and search firms prioritize, and where informal influence plays a role. Drawing on real-world observations and insights, the session addresses common barriers women face, reframes readiness and leadership perceptions, and offers practical strategies for self-advocacy.

Attendees will leave with concrete tips for positioning themselves as strong candidates, articulating their leadership story with confidence, and taking intentional next steps toward securing the superintendent.

Dr. Sullivan is an active Associate with HYA specializing in Superintendent and Cabinet level searches as well as strategic planning.

She previously served as Indian Prairie District 204's superintendent from 2014 until her retirement in June of 2020. Indian Prairie is the fourth largest school district in the state of Illinois, serving over 28,000 students in 33 schools in Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield. During Dr. Sullivan’s tenure, Indian Prairie consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in the state and in 2020 she was recognized as an Illinois Association of School Administrators Superintendent of Distinction.

As Superintendent, Dr. Sullivan oversaw the launch of numerous STEM and technology initiatives. In 2015, Indian Prairie District 204 was selected by the U.S. Department of Education’s Future Ready Initiative as one of eight districts across the country to highlight the role leaders play in leveraging technology to create transformational learning environments. In 2018, Indian Prairie received a three-year National Science Foundation grant in collaboration with two other districts and Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools to develop a PreK-12 computational thinking pathway for schools. Additionally, Dr. Sullivan led continued work on equity of access and opportunity to increase the number of underrepresented students in dual-credit, honors and Advanced Placement courses, increasing early education opportunities for low income and underrepresented students, efforts to close disproportionality in discipline and bringing clinical mental health resources directly to the schools.

Dr. Sullivan has served in a variety of roles in her career including Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Principal, and Director of Student Services and Special Education. Since retirement, Dr. Sullivan has served as an Ambassador Fellow for the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools and a Strategic Mentor for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). She currently serves as a Consultant for the DuPage Regional Office of Education where she is part of a federal grant project working with Superintendents and their central office teams to better support teaching and learning in their schools.

Retirement LOL!

by Drs. Lynn M. Gibson, Sheila Greenwood, Lindsey Hall, & Vickie Tabbert

Location: Brookridge

 Join four retired superintendents as they talk candidly about life after the superintendency—what they learned, what surprised them, and what they wish they’d known sooner. We’ll cover planning for retirement, retirement contracts, thinking ahead, the realities (and challenges) of retiring, post-retirement job opportunities, and even how to start experiencing your “life list.”   All school administrators will benefit from this session, not just superintendents. 

Dr. Lynn M. Gibson is a retired school district superintendent and is currently a clinical assistant professor at Northern Illinois University. She is trained in Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), strategic planning, executive coaching, and grant writing. Lynn has published articles about raising her children in regional and national publications and is currently co-authoring and publishing a children’s book series with one of her six grown children. She enjoys hiking with her family and counts reading among her passions.

 

Dr. Sheila Greenwood's career in education runs the gamut from teacher/coach/A.D. to principal of all levels EC-12 and Superintendent.  Her roles post-retirement include being an educational consultant for Opterra, a facilities modernization company, mentoring administrators across the state and doing presentations and public speaking regarding leadership and administration. Continuing to be involved in education is a highlight, doing administrator academies, attending conferences and working to pay it forward. The most important role that she tackles is being Mom to 9 year old twins, Mitchell and Brinkley. The opportunity to network and collaborate is still her passion.

 

Dr. Lindsey Hall spent 33 years in public education in Illinois, in a variety of positions and school districts.  She spent the last 10 years of her career as a superintendent, retiring in 2022 from the Mahomet-Seymour Schools.  Dr. Hall is now the P-12 Program Coordinator in the Department of EAF at ISU, overseeing the principal prep, superintendent prep and Ed.D. programs.  She also teaches in the department and supervises principal interns.  A trained leadership coach, she is a coach and mentor for the IASA and IPA and also does professional development and administrator academies.   Spending time with her family and dog, being outdoors, reading and connecting with friends are all the things that recharge her batteries.  

Dr. Vickie Tabbert retired in 2018 after 42 years in public education. Started my career as a special education teacher serving middle school aged students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Moved into administration after 10 years and served in several capacities before becoming the Superintendent in Queen Bee School District in Glendale Heights in 2008. Upon retirement in 2018, I worked as an IASA Field Service DIrector. I fully retired in 2024. I devote my time to working with DuPage PADS serving the homeless and working with Women in Leadership through the A.C.E. Group. My passions are traveling and spending time with family which includes an amazing husband, two awesome daughters/their spouses and two grandsons, who fill my life with energy and fun!

 The Mental Load: Emotional Labor, Gender Roles, and the Cost of Carrying Too Much

by Jamie Kelly and Leah Young

Location: Brickyard VI

This session explores how invisible expectations and emotional responsibilities often fall disproportionately on women—and how recognizing, naming, and redistributing this labor can improve both personal well-being and professional sustainability.

 Jamie Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS-C), and IAEDP-approved Consultant with extensive experience in higher levels of care. She currently serves as a clinical thereapist at SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders. She holds a graduate degree in clinical counseling psychology from Illinois State University and has spent her career specializing in eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and trauma — with a particular focus on the complex, layered presentations that rarely fit neatly into a single diagnosis.

Jamie integrates DBT, ACT, CBT, ERP, and EFFT in her clinical work with adults, adolescents, and families, always within a framework rooted in compassion and evidence. In addition to her clinical work, she has held leadership roles focused on building high-functioning, collaborative clinical teams and fostering environments where both patients and clinicians can do their best work. It is this dual lens — as clinician and leader — that she brings to the stage.

Leah Young is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of substance use, disordered eating, and the behavioral patterns that connect them. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Clinical Services at SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders. Before joining the company, Leah spent nearly ten years at ERC Pathlight, where she pioneered the integration of substance use education and support across Mood, Anxiety, Trauma, Binge Eating, and Eating Disorder programs at all levels of care. Prior to ERC, she built and led evening IOP programming for substance use disorders at Resurrection Behavioral Health, later serving as Program Manager at Presence Behavioral Health.

Leah's clinical lens centers on the ways coping patterns — across food, substances, and behavior — share common roots, and what integrated, compassionate treatment looks like when that complexity is taken seriously. She holds a Master's degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Tripping the Prom Queen: Dismantling the Double Bind and Reclaiming Belonging 

by Dr. Tiffany S. Brunson

Location: Brickyard IV

Women are often caught in a “double bind” expected to be strong yet likable, ambitious yet humble while navigating competition, comparison, and cultural expectations. Tripping the Prom Queen, led by Dr. Tiffany S. Brunson, is an empowering session that reframes these challenges as opportunities for growth and collective success. 

Through reflection, storytelling, and actionable strategies, participants will explore the roots of rivalry, transform envy into collaboration, and discover how to build environments where belonging and authenticity thrive. Together, we’ll learn how to amplify one another’s voices, practice allyship, and create cultures of support that dismantle systemic barriers. 

Leave inspired and equipped with a personal action plan to lead with confidence, courage, and compassion and to rise by lifting others. 

Dr. Tiffany S. Brunson is a visionary superintendent, Chicago native, and U.S. Army veteran whose three-decade career embodies courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to equity and excellence. As Superintendent of Elementary School District 159, she leads with a human-centered approach that transforms systems, empowers educators, and elevates student voice and belonging. 

A trailblazer and the first to lead in many of her roles, Dr. Brunson is a founding board member of the Illinois Alliance of Black School Educators and President-Elect of the Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity. A contributing author to Centering Our Voices: The Anthology, she amplifies the experiences of Black women in education. Honored as a 2025 Illinois Transformative Superintendent, Dr. Brunson is known for connecting purpose with practice and leading with heart, hope, and vision.  

Positioned to Lead: Women Navigating the Superintendent Search

Insights, strategies, and self-advocacy for securing the superintendency

by Dr. Karen Sullivan

Location: Brickyard V

 This session is designed to empower and equip women who are considering or actively pursuing the superintendency. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the superintendent search process, including how decisions are made, what boards and search firms prioritize, and where informal influence plays a role. Drawing on real-world observations and insights, the session addresses common barriers women face, reframes readiness and leadership perceptions, and offers practical strategies for self-advocacy.

Attendees will leave with concrete tips for positioning themselves as strong candidates, articulating their leadership story with confidence, and taking intentional next steps toward securing the superintendent.

Dr. Sullivan is an active Associate with HYA specializing in Superintendent and Cabinet level searches as well as strategic planning.

She previously served as Indian Prairie District 204's superintendent from 2014 until her retirement in June of 2020. Indian Prairie is the fourth largest school district in the state of Illinois, serving over 28,000 students in 33 schools in Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield. During Dr. Sullivan’s tenure, Indian Prairie consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in the state and in 2020 she was recognized as an Illinois Association of School Administrators Superintendent of Distinction.

As Superintendent, Dr. Sullivan oversaw the launch of numerous STEM and technology initiatives. In 2015, Indian Prairie District 204 was selected by the U.S. Department of Education’s Future Ready Initiative as one of eight districts across the country to highlight the role leaders play in leveraging technology to create transformational learning environments. In 2018, Indian Prairie received a three-year National Science Foundation grant in collaboration with two other districts and Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools to develop a PreK-12 computational thinking pathway for schools. Additionally, Dr. Sullivan led continued work on equity of access and opportunity to increase the number of underrepresented students in dual-credit, honors and Advanced Placement courses, increasing early education opportunities for low income and underrepresented students, efforts to close disproportionality in discipline and bringing clinical mental health resources directly to the schools.

Dr. Sullivan has served in a variety of roles in her career including Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Principal, and Director of Student Services and Special Education. Since retirement, Dr. Sullivan has served as an Ambassador Fellow for the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools and a Strategic Mentor for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). She currently serves as a Consultant for the DuPage Regional Office of Education where she is part of a federal grant project working with Superintendents and their central office teams to better support teaching and learning in their schools.

Retirement LOL!

by Drs. Lynn M. Gibson, Sheila Greenwood, Lindsey Hall, & Vickie Tabbert

Location: Brookridge

 Join four retired superintendents as they talk candidly about life after the superintendency—what they learned, what surprised them, and what they wish they’d known sooner. We’ll cover planning for retirement, retirement contracts, thinking ahead, the realities (and challenges) of retiring, post-retirement job opportunities, and even how to start experiencing your “life list.”   All school administrators will benefit from this session, not just superintendents. 

Dr. Lynn M. Gibson is a retired school district superintendent and is currently a clinical assistant professor at Northern Illinois University. She is trained in Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), strategic planning, executive coaching, and grant writing. Lynn has published articles about raising her children in regional and national publications and is currently co-authoring and publishing a children’s book series with one of her six grown children. She enjoys hiking with her family and counts reading among her passions.

 

Dr. Sheila Greenwood's career in education runs the gamut from teacher/coach/A.D. to principal of all levels EC-12 and Superintendent.  Her roles post-retirement include being an educational consultant for Opterra, a facilities modernization company, mentoring administrators across the state and doing presentations and public speaking regarding leadership and administration. Continuing to be involved in education is a highlight, doing administrator academies, attending conferences and working to pay it forward. The most important role that she tackles is being Mom to 9 year old twins, Mitchell and Brinkley. The opportunity to network and collaborate is still her passion.

 

Dr. Lindsey Hall spent 33 years in public education in Illinois, in a variety of positions and school districts.  She spent the last 10 years of her career as a superintendent, retiring in 2022 from the Mahomet-Seymour Schools.  Dr. Hall is now the P-12 Program Coordinator in the Department of EAF at ISU, overseeing the principal prep, superintendent prep and Ed.D. programs.  She also teaches in the department and supervises principal interns.  A trained leadership coach, she is a coach and mentor for the IASA and IPA and also does professional development and administrator academies.   Spending time with her family and dog, being outdoors, reading and connecting with friends are all the things that recharge her batteries.  

 Dr. Vickie Tabbert retired in 2018 after 42 years in public education. Started my career as a special education teacher serving middle school aged students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Moved into administration after 10 years and served in several capacities before becoming the Superintendent in Queen Bee School District in Glendale Heights in 2008. Upon retirement in 2018, I worked as an IASA Field Service DIrector. I fully retired in 2024. I devote my time to working with DuPage PADS serving the homeless and working with Women in Leadership through the A.C.E. Group. My passions are traveling and spending time with family which includes an amazing husband, two awesome daughters/their spouses and two grandsons, who fill my life with energy and fun!

The Mental Load: Emotional Labor, Gender Roles, and the Cost of Carrying Too Much

by Jamie Kelly and Leah Young

Location: Brickyard VI

This session explores how invisible expectations and emotional responsibilities often fall disproportionately on women—and how recognizing, naming, and redistributing this labor can improve both personal well-being and professional sustainability.

Jamie Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS-C), and IAEDP-approved Consultant with extensive experience in higher levels of care. She currently serves as a clinical thereapist at SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders. She holds a graduate degree in clinical counseling psychology from Illinois State University and has spent her career specializing in eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and trauma — with a particular focus on the complex, layered presentations that rarely fit neatly into a single diagnosis.

Jamie integrates DBT, ACT, CBT, ERP, and EFFT in her clinical work with adults, adolescents, and families, always within a framework rooted in compassion and evidence. In addition to her clinical work, she has held leadership roles focused on building high-functioning, collaborative clinical teams and fostering environments where both patients and clinicians can do their best work. It is this dual lens — as clinician and leader — that she brings to the stage.

Leah Young is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of substance use, disordered eating, and the behavioral patterns that connect them. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Clinical Services at SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders. Before joining the company, Leah spent nearly ten years at ERC Pathlight, where she pioneered the integration of substance use education and support across Mood, Anxiety, Trauma, Binge Eating, and Eating Disorder programs at all levels of care. Prior to ERC, she built and led evening IOP programming for substance use disorders at Resurrection Behavioral Health, later serving as Program Manager at Presence Behavioral Health.

Leah's clinical lens centers on the ways coping patterns — across food, substances, and behavior — share common roots, and what integrated, compassionate treatment looks like when that complexity is taken seriously. She holds a Master's degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Closing Session

by Dr. Bryan Zugelder

Location: Brickyard I, II, & III

Dr. Bryan Zugelder is the dean of the College of Education (COE) at Illinois State University. He brings experiences not only as a first-generation college student, but also from the perspective of a former staff member, tenured faculty member, lab school leader, system and state level leader, university administrator, and public-school teacher.

Prior to joining the COE, he served as associate dean for academic excellence, research, innovation and policy at James Madison University (JMU). He provided oversight of curriculum, research and grants, lab school, Grow Your Own, educator development, and state and national policy. He also served as graduate program director for the MEd and Graduate Certificate in Teacher Leadership, serving 200+ students. He led the College of Education at JMU to achieve the highest amount of external funding at the university, totaling more than $33M in research expenditures, including the $8M Lab School for Innovation & Career Exploration and $2.2M in the Grow Your Own Teaching Fellows program.

He also led the development, in partnership with school districts and JMU faculty, the inaugural EdD Program. He held tenure in the Department of Learning, Technology and Leadership Education as Associate Professor and Professor.

Prior to his role at JMU, Dr. Zugelder served on the faculty at East Carolina University, where he led the statewide NC New Teacher Support Program as Principal Investigator, a $4.8M annual externally-funded project with 57 school districts,10 universities, and the NC General Assembly to support early career teachers during their first three years of teaching. This work was featured by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, showcasing a comprehensive instructional coaching framework developed in partnership with the Stanford Center for Assessment and Learning Equity.

He served on the team that developed an innovative teacher residency model as an alternative pathway to licensure. While in NC, Dr. Zugelder also served as Director of Teacher Preparation and Development at the University of North Carolina System, providing leadership for educator preparation matters and policy across the public universities in NC, including the lab school development team that served the entire state.

Dr. Zugelder went to NC from Florida, where he spent 10 years at the University of Central Florida in various roles that included Graduate Faculty, Director of Clinical Experiences and Executive Director for Undergraduate Affairs & Partnerships. He provided oversight of undergraduate curriculum, 2000+ teacher education field placements annually, student teaching, the Professional Development Schools Consortium, recruitment and retention, and advising. He also provided literacy leadership for principals and literacy coaches in Orange County Public Schools, led a statewide elementary mathematics assessment project at the Florida Department of Education, and taught grades PK, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and multiage in Leon County and Seminole County Public Schools.