SHIFT AGENDA

That’s a wrap on our 2025 SHIFT Conference! Learn more about what content was presented in each of this past year’s sessions by clicking the time and title for a drop-down description.

Sunday, December 7th

  • Head to Broadmoor Hall early to check-in, pick up your name tag, and connect with the HINGE Advisors team behind this incredible conference!

  • Trailblaze your way to The Broadmoor’s International Center, where the vibes will be as bright as the peaks are high. Enjoy a glowing evening of networking, complimentary bites and sips, and a chance to summit new connections before the conference begins. Sponsored by Essential Properties.

Monday, December 8th

  • Join fellow SHIFT attendees in the Main Ballroom every morning before breakfast for a revitalizing yoga session with the one and only Beth Cannon!

  • Check-in (if you haven't already), grab some brain food, and network with your fellow conference attendees! Breakfast is complimentary and will be out and available in Broadmoor Hall A until 9:00 AM. Sponsored by Big Blue Marble Academy.

  • Join SHIFT host Kathy Ligon as she welcomes you to an energizing and purpose-driven week. In this opening session, Kathy will cover key housekeeping details and set the tone for what's ahead. She’ll also share fresh insights on the latest advancements, pressing challenges, and emerging opportunities shaping the early education industry today.

  • How is the early childhood education sector performing? Join EY-Parthenon’s Phil Vaccaro and Malavika Dhawan as they share the latest data and analysis on ECE enrollment and financial trends, and what’s driving those trends. The Covid recovery period for ECE has been complicated and growth is mixed. Explore what is needed to navigate this complex environment, and what this means for owners, operators, and stakeholders across the sector. Whether you’re looking to grow, sell, or simply understand the evolving market terrain, this session will equip you with a clearer picture of what’s ahead and how to position your program for long-term success.

  • Take 30 minutes to have a good stretch or refill your SHIFT water bottle before the next session.

  • Join Certified Leadership Coach Tom Wood for an introduction of fundamental leadership truths including his staple Leadership Sprint themes of 'Serving and Loving,' 'A and A+ Game,' and referring to your 'Mirror Friend.'

  • If you’ve been denied insurance or fear non-renewal, you’re not alone. Carriers are pulling out of childcare, but the real story isn’t just about claims or compliance. It’s about how you tell your story. In this high-impact session, insurance expert Sam Phillips, author of The Childcare Insurance Playbook, reveals what underwriters are really looking for and how to avoid common red flags. Learn how to shift from risky to irresistible in the eyes of insurance companies and take control of your coverage, even in today’s volatile market.

  • Find out which industry leaders you’ll have the chance to hear from in our afternoon breakout sessions. You’ll be able to choose from engaging topics in four powerful tracks: KNOW, GROW, LEAD, and GLOW.

  • Re-energize with a complimentary lunch in Broadmoor Hall A and free time for networking! Sponsored by KinderCare Learning Companies.

  • GROW Breakout: “From Inquiries to Enrollment: A Proven Path to Predictable Growth” – Jennifer Conner
    Discover how to build a thriving waitlist and keep enrollment steady without the stress. In this energizing session, Jennifer Conner shares proven strategies from over 20 years of experience and real-life success stories to help you attract ideal families, fix hidden leaks in your enrollment funnel, and create a system that works even when you're not directly involved. From aligning your team to improving marketing and using data to guide decisions, you’ll walk away with practical tools to grow your center with confidence and clarity.

    LEAD Breakout: “Why Can’t We All Just Get Along? Building Stronger Teams Through Personal Leadership” – Dr. Teri DeLucca
    “Why can’t we all just get along?” It’s not just a cry for help—it’s the missing link in your leadership strategy. Before we train teachers on behavior/ classroom skills, we need to teach them how to lead themselves. In this powerful (and refreshingly real) session, you’ll learn a practical framework for coaching personal accountability, emotional regulation, and resilient thinking—skills that unlock stronger classroom management, healthier staff dynamics, and lower turnover. Discover how to embed personal leadership into daily operations & culture. Because teachers can’t regulate challenging kids, demanding parents, or workplace drama without leading themselves well. This is how you build legacy-level impact: by equipping & adding value to your team at their core.

    GLOW Breakout: “Inside the Numbers: ECE Valuation Methodology” – Rusty Bailey
    Valuing an early education business is both a science and an art. It requires not only precise financial analysis but also a deep understanding of what truly drives buyer and investor decisions. In this session, Rusty Bailey, Senior Financial Analyst at HINGE Advisors, will share an insider’s view of the valuation process. Drawing from years of experience assessing acquisition targets for leading ECE buyer groups, Rusty will break down how the most accurate childcare valuations are calculated and how those insights can help you secure financing, plan for growth, and achieve maximum value when you exit.

  • Take a 30-minute brain break before the next sessions.

  • GROW Breakout: “Tax Credit Investments: Unlocking the Power of State Incentives” – Harris Sinsley
    Tax credit programs can unlock significant financial advantages for early education business owners — fueling expansion, renovation, and reinvestment. In this session, Harris Sinsley, Senior Associate at Monarch Private Capital, will demystify how state tax credits work and how ECE owners can strategically participate to enhance both short- and long-term value. Learn how to identify eligible opportunities, partner effectively with investors, and structure projects to achieve the highest ROI. Whether you’re planning to grow, modernize, or prepare for an eventual exit, this session will show how tax credit investments can be a powerful tool to accelerate your goals.

    LEAD Breakout: “The False Promise of Systems: What’s Really Holding Back Your Profit and Peace” – Chanie Wilschanski
    For years, school owners have been told that the right systems, documentation, delegation, or “dream team” would finally deliver profit and peace. Yet many leaders discover that even after building it all and doing everything “right,” they’re still the ones lying awake, thinking of it all. In this session, Chanie will expose why chasing perfect SOPs and best practices is actually a threat to profit and long-term value and what leaders can build instead. You’ll learn why traditional playbooks fail schools, the hidden costs of over-relying on systems, and how to anchor your team in rhythms that protect both profit and well-being. Walk away with a leadership model that shifts you from heroic operator to steady, calm, and truly supported owner.

    GLOW Breakout: “Building Out Your Leadership Team” – Tameenah Adams
    This session focuses on the essential process of building a strong, aligned leadership team to support the long-term success of your organization. You’ll learn how to identify individuals with leadership potential, develop their skills, and empower them to lead with confidence and purpose. Whether you're expanding your team or restructuring for growth, this session will equip you with strategies to cultivate a leadership pipeline, delegate effectively, and create a culture of shared ownership and accountability.

  • Before we kick off our evening fundraising festivities, grab a drink at our happy half hour in the International Center Pre-Function Foyer. Sponsored by Kangarootime.

  • Saddle up for a wild west-themed evening of giving and grit in The Broadmoor’s International Center! This BOOST fundraiser will feature a half hour of comedy from the one and only Vernon Mason as well as a live and silent auction, all in support of preschool teachers facing financial hardship. Kick up your boots, raise your paddles, and help us wrangle the resources needed to make a lasting impact in ECE. Sponsored by Kids ‘R’ Kids.

Tuesday, December 9th

  • Join fellow SHIFT attendees in the Main Ballroom every morning before breakfast for a revitalizing yoga session with the one and only Beth Cannon!

  • Start your second day off right with a complimentary breakfast and a bit of networking with fellow attendees. Breakfast will be out and available in Broadmoor Hall A until 9:00 AM. Sponsored by Better Beans Branding.

  • Join Certified Leadership Coach Tom Wood as he reveals the hidden factors that drain energy and erode trust in your school. You’ll gain tools to maintain a vibrant, positive company culture that uplifts your team, families, and community.

  • With federal relief funds ending and state policies evolving, what’s next for early education funding? In this timely session, the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) unpacks the current funding landscape and offers expert insight into what providers can expect in the year ahead. Learn how national and state-level decisions are shaping public investment, where new opportunities may emerge, and how to prepare your program for financial shifts. Whether you're navigating subsidy changes or advocating for increased support, this session will help you plan with confidence and strategy.

  • Take 30 minutes to have a good stretch or refill your SHIFT water bottle before the next session.

  • Panelists: Ron Packard, Pansophic Learning; Vance Spilman, LeafSpring Schools; Jomar Jenkins, Big Blue Marble Academy; and Rachel Supalla, Discovery Kidzone

    Growth in the childcare industry looks different at every stage, but the challenges and opportunities often overlap. In this dynamic main stage panel, hear directly from leaders who have helped scale early education businesses. Featuring four CEOs in varying stages and experienced with many types of growth, this conversation will explore what it takes to grow sustainably, adapt to changing markets, and stay true to your mission. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for your next big leap, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and inspiration to fuel your journey.

  • Stick around after the panel for a special announcement about a new way to support our BOOST nonprofit. Plus, find out which industry leaders you’ll have the chance to hear from in our afternoon breakout sessions, choosing from engaging topics in three powerful tracks: GROW, LEAD and GLOW.

  • Re-energize with a complimentary lunch in Broadmoor Hall A and free time for networking! Sponsored by Order.co.

  • GROW Breakout: “Tax Planning Strategies that Pay Off” – Rudy Colmenero
    The true value of your business isn’t just what a buyer offers — it’s what you keep after taxes. In this session, CPA and tax attorney Rudy Colmenero will demystify the tax implications that can shape your financial outcome, from structuring the transaction to allocating the purchase price and navigating “hot assets.” You’ll discover proactive strategies to preserve more of your business’s value, leverage tax benefits in negotiations, and avoid costly surprises. The key is planning early — long before any deal is on the table.

    LEAD Breakout: “Managing the Masses: Multi-Site Management Techniques for Growing Schools” – Tym Smith
    This dynamic training is designed for childcare leaders, directors, and owners looking to expand and effectively manage multiple childcare sites. Led by an experienced presenter with hands-on expertise in multi-site operations, this session explores proven strategies for streamlining systems, building strong leadership teams, maintaining consistent quality, and scaling with confidence. Participants will gain insight into practical tools, delegation methods, staff retention across locations, and how to maintain culture and compliance while growing. Whether you're opening your second site or managing several, this training provides actionable takeaways to strengthen your leadership and operational success.

    GLOW Breakout: “6 Hidden Childcare Leaks That Could Be Draining Your Profit” – Aleta Mechtel
    Is your childcare center facing staffing issues, low enrollment, or financial strain? In this session, we’ll uncover six hidden leaks that may be quietly draining your center’s success—from team retention to marketing, operations, and more. Learn practical, proven strategies you can implement right away to boost profit, build a stronger culture, and create the thriving center you set out to lead.

  • Take a 30-minute brain break before the next sessions.

  • GROW Breakout: “The Two-Location Paradox: Technology Enhancements and Your Childcare Business” – Jared Hall
    Expanding beyond one location creates a challenge: leaders must rely on secondhand reports instead of direct observation, often leading to unclear or inaccurate decisions. But new technologies are changing that. With real-time, context-rich data, operators can now identify and solve issues as they happen—replacing guesswork with clarity. This session explores how technology is transforming decision-making for childcare businesses of all sizes.

    LEAD Breakout: “The Ripple Effect: How a Bold Team Investment Led to Full Classrooms” – Jennifer Duffield
    What once felt impossible—sending 20 different teachers on annual humanitarian trips—became a powerful investment that transformed culture and fueled enrollment growth. In this session, Jennifer Duffield, Co-Founder of Dancing Moose Montessori, will show you how she brought a bold idea to life, including the budget and staffing strategies that made it sustainable. Follow the journey of a school that grew from 7 students to nearly 1,000 by obsessing over culture. That focus led to exceptional teacher retention, high parent satisfaction, and consistently full classrooms. If you’re looking to grow enrollment, start by doing something extraordinary for your team.

    GLOW Breakout: “Scroll, Share, Shine: Marketing that Connects in Early Education” – Sydney Vinson
    Discover how to turn likes into lasting impressions! In this fast-paced, fun session, we’ll explore how to use social media and marketing to amplify your school’s voice, boost enrollment, and build real connections with families. From creating scroll-stopping content to highlighting what makes your center special, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and a spark of inspiration to make your brand shine online — all while staying true to your heart for early childhood education.

  • Before returning to the main ballroom for our keynote speaker, make sure to stop in the Broadmoor Hall Foyer for an afternoon pick-me-up of beer and an energizing snack. Sponsored by FunnyDaffer.

  • This keynote explores how purpose-driven practices can transform early childhood education by raising standards of excellence and infusing deeper meaning into our work. Focusing on six key elements—curriculum, assessments, research, exceptionalities support, professional development, and government advocacy—it aims to elevate every aspect of the educational experience. Rather than settling for the status quo, this session challenges educators to pursue measurable improvements through a strong commitment to quality. It’s a call to move from aspirational ideas to intentional design, crafting learning experiences with purpose. Grounded in evidence and shared values, this approach aligns daily practice with theory, data, pedagogy, and policy to create better outcomes for every child and greater confidence in the future we build together.

  • We’re bringing the great outdoors to life indoors as the International Center transforms into a day camp daydream for our final reception of the conference. Mingle with fellow happy campers over elevated campfire bites, sip complimentary cocktails, and test your skills with interactive games — all in true camp style. Sponsored by Procare Solutions.

Wednesday, December 10th

  • Make your way to The Broadmoor’s Main Ballroom for our final revitalizing morning yoga session with the one and only Beth Cannon!

  • Start your final day off right with a complimentary breakfast and a bit of networking with fellow attendees. Sponsored by Intellikid Systems.

  • Join Certified Leadership Coach Tom Wood to discover how intentional pauses in speaking, listening, and living enhance your leadership presence and emotional intelligence. You’ll learn to communicate with greater clarity and create better a balance at work and home.

  • Join Thad Joiner as he draws from his experience buying and selling over $200 million in businesses—including 30 preschools over the past two decades—to explore how to intentionally build and preserve a lasting legacy. Like footprints in the sand or crumbs on the trail, we leave a mark whether we plan to or not. Thad will share practical strategies for creating a legacy that impacts families, strengthens communities, and, most importantly, honors and empowers the key players who help carry your vision to success.

  • Take 30 minutes to have a good stretch or refill your SHIFT water bottle before the next session.

  • Panelists: Andy Sherrard, O2B Kids!; Chad Dunkley, New Horizons Academy; Dawn Uribe, Mis Amigos; and Sarah Fite, Balanced Family Academy

    Retaining great talent in childcare takes more than competitive pay — it requires intentional recognition and meaningful rewards that align with organizational goals. In this dynamic panel, industry leaders will share proven strategies for celebrating staff, strengthening culture, and designing incentives that truly matter. From heartfelt acknowledgments to structured recognition programs, you’ll walk away with practical, creative approaches to keep your team motivated, valued, and committed for the long term.

  • Kathy Ligon will wrap up the conference and send everyone on their way to explore beautiful Colorado Springs!