AAIE 59th Annual Global Leadership CONVERSATION

Meet our Keynote Speakers

We are thrilled to introduce our lineup of keynote speakers, each a trailblazer in the field of leadership and agility within international and independent schools. These distinguished experts will share innovative insights and strategies for navigating change and fostering dynamic, resilient educational environments. Prepare to be inspired as they offer fresh perspectives and practical approaches to leading with agility in today's ever-evolving educational landscape. 

Dear Superintendent: What You Need to Know About My Future

Monday, February 3, 2025

This year, Microsoft's work trends report revealed a startling figure: 

66% of employers would rather hire a less experienced employee with AI skills over a more experienced one without them.

This is just one example of how the demand for skills, mindsets, and qualities is shifting drastically in a workplace where AI is everywhere.

What does this mean for our schools? For our leadership? For our students?

The most important technology ever invented is here. We must boldly shift.

In this keynote, hear an open letter from Top Gen Z voice, Hannah Grady Williams, a 26-year-old Native Digital who's worked with 3000+ executives, and her army of student AI-turbocharged rebels who are demanding (and creating) a different future. 

In this gamified keynote, your audience will:

• Imagine the Future Workplace: Discover what companies are seeking from their future workforce and how your schools can create impact-driven, self-motivated young adults now.
• Participate in a Live Game! Participate in a Kahoot!, a game designed to get you thinking critically about the opportunities for agility and innovation within your own schools.
• Get Inside the Mind of a Native Digital: How do students think about their futures? How does this align or not align with the learning approach at your school?
• Experience Innovation in Action: Witness a powerful micro-documentary showcasing d'Skills sprinters turbo-charged by AI making real impacts in their communities.

Make a Commitment to What's Next: Walk away with actionable strategies to ensure your students are not just prepared but poised to lead in a rapidly changing world.

Dignity, Dialogue, and Depolarization

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Conflict touches every school community -- whether an interpersonal spat between students or a larger clash spurred on by reactions to geopolitical strife and cultural tensions in the wider society. The global uptick in polarization means that now more than ever schools have to teach and model the skills of conflict transformation -- where individual dignity meets group dialogue. In this session, mediator, educator, and strategist Jason Craige Harris of Pollyanna, Inc., will share key insights and practices that will empower school-based professionals to reinforce the bonds of community.

10 to 25 The Science of Motivating Young People

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Young people have an innate need to be respected and admired. But few leaders today—whether parents, educators, or managers—understand how to harness it. David Yeager can help.

An expert on the psychology of grit and persistence, David has spent years researching how to motivate and equip young people for success. He can show us why our conventional methods of communicating with young people aged 10 to 25 tend to leave everyone frustrated, and he can teach us a better way of ensuring the younger generation feels inspired, enthusiastic, and empowered to do their best work.

In this talk, David explains how to adopt what he calls the "mentor mindset," a leadership style that taps into young people's desire for respect. He offers highly effective and surprisingly easy-to-learn practices: like being transparent about your goals rather than expecting your mentees to read your mind, or holding your students to high standards rather than coddling them. This practical, engaging talk is crucial for anyone who wants to be a more effective manager, parent, or educator.