SHIFT AGENDA

Make your way to The Broadmoor’s Main Ballroom each morning before breakfast for a revitalizing yoga session led by 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.

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.

What’s driving investor interest in early education? Join EY-Parthenon’s Phil Vaccaro and Malavika Dhawan as they share the latest data and analysis on private investment trends shaping the childcare landscape. Explore what’s attracting capital, how market dynamics are shifting, and what this means for owners, operators, and stakeholders across the sector. Whether you're looking to grow, sell, or simply understand the evolving financial 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.

Topic to be announced soon…

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 a national CEO, a super-regional CEO, a regional Founder, and a multi-site provider, 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.

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.

KNOW Breakout: TOPIC TBD
Topic to be announced soon…

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: “The Owner Bottleneck: What’s Really Holding Back Your Profit and Peace” – Chanie Wilschanski
Your school may look well-run on the surface—but if everything still runs through you, growth will always hit a ceiling. In this powerful session, Chanie Wilschanski exposes the hidden leadership patterns that quietly drain profitability, peace, and long-term value. You’ll learn how external forces like government policy, cultural shifts, and family dynamics impact your business—and why being too dependable can become a liability. Most importantly, you'll walk away with a rhythm-based model for transitioning from heroic leadership to operational independence, so your school can thrive with or without you.

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.

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

KNOW Breakout: TOPIC TBD
Topic to be announced soon…

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: “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: “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.

Start your evening with laughter and libations at our Cocktails & Comedy Kick-Off! Enjoy a half hour of hilarious entertainment from Vernon Mason while sipping on cocktails and mingling with fellow attendees. It’s the perfect way to loosen up and get in the spirit before the fundraising fun begins! 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 both 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.