2025 FORUM/DEIB

Keynote Speaker Dr. George James!

George James, Psy.D., LMFT, MBA, is the CEO of George Talks and a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience. Known for his expert insights on The TODAY Show, CNN, NBC News, and TEDx, Dr. James specializes in mental health, relationships, leadership, and communication. He works with professional athletes, executives, entertainers, and couples on issues ranging from anxiety and work-life balance to parenting and leadership. As a media consultant, executive coach, and host of the LEAPCAST podcast, Dr. George bridges the gap between personal well-being and professional success, offering guidance to individuals and companies.

Hiring Event + Professional Development

FORUM/DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) is a hiring conference and a professional development symposium for members of, allies of, and those who are learning how to better support underserved communities.

Its mission is twofold: to help build strong, diverse, and inclusive school communities by facilitating connections between job seekers and schools, and to support schools' work in equity and inclusion through robust professional development.

FORUM/DEIB: CS&A's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We host this conference because of the many common themes that unite even the most disparate independent schools: the need for quality teachers and motivated students, the desire to produce students of integrity as well as intellect, and the tension between progress and tradition. Diversity and inclusion are ever-important issues for schools and candidates, issues that we are committed to through strategies like this event.

What is the format of FORUM/DEIB?

The hiring portion consists of consecutive 30-minute interview periods between job-seeking Carney Sandoe candidates and hiring schools from across the country. Interviews are pre-scheduled by schools ahead of the event.

The event also features professional development sessions facilitated by renowned keynote speakers, diversity practitioners, and school leaders. Attendees are given the opportunity to learn best practices and find inspiration from the stories shared and lessons learned.

When is FORUM/DEIB?

January 31 and February 1, 2025 in Philadelphia at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

Where is the professional development schedule?

The schedule will be published in December 2024.

Who can attend?

All CS&A candidates and our partner schools are invited to participate.

If you would like to attend only the professional development, click here.

Is Carney Sandoe accepting proposals for FORUM DEIB professional development sessions?

Yes! We will be accepting proposals for FORUM DEIB throughout November, please click here to provide your information.

FORUM/DEIB Keynote Speaker Archive

2024 – Howard Stevenson moderated by Darryl J. Ford
2023 – Michael Tennant
2022 – Austin Channing Brown
2021 – Dr. Monique Morris and Dr. Christopher Emdin
2020 – Dr. Anthony Jack and Dr. Dena Simmons
2019 – Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Dr. Peggy McIntosh
2018 – Tim Wise
2017 – Dr. Cornel West
2016 – Reveta Bowers, head of school at the Center for Early Education, and Temba Maqubela, headmaster at The Groton School
2015 – Wanda Holland Green, head of school at Hamlin School, and Mark Reed, former head of school of Charlotte Country Day School

Watch select recordings of keynote speakers from past FORUM/DEIB events.

Registration

Registration is now open!

Click Here

Professional Development Schedule

Our 2025 schedule will be live in December of 2024.

Click Here

Have a question about FORUM/DEIB?

Kim Garner
Chief Operating Officer, Placement Group; Director of Conferences Send an Email
Brandon Jacobs
Practice Leader, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Consulting Practice, Search & Consulting Services Send an Email
Donisha Thaxton
Senior Placement Counselor: Diversity/Multicultural Affairs; Associate Director of Conferences; Recruitment Counselor Send an Email

CS&A DEIB Mission Statement

At Carney, Sandoe & Associates, we are committed to the importance of increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – both within our own organization and among the educational communities with whom we partner.

Cognizant of our ability to reach a wide variety of schools, teachers, and educational leaders, it is our goal to provide educators with resources that help foster diverse and inclusive environments. We aim to facilitate continued learning and to encourage valuable networking opportunities.