Collaboration in higher education isn’t always easy. Without clear expectations, shared ownership, or aligned resources, even well-intentioned teams can struggle or stall.

This session will introduce tools and concepts to help participants and their teams overcome these barriers to collaboration. Participants will have the opportunity to assess their current collaborations, recognize common breakdowns, and reflect on ways to build structures, relationships, and commitments that support meaningful and productive collaborative efforts.

Imagine you’ve invested in a beautiful, custom closet organization system. The big-picture value is clear: a more organized, efficient space. But before you enjoy that benefit, you have to empty the closet, sort through everything, install the new system, and put items back. During that process, the living room is in chaos, family members can’t find what they need, and you may even toss something someone uses daily.

Organizational change works the same way. Leaders often assume that a compelling business case is enough for people to embrace change—but individuals need to understand “What’s in it for me?” and feel included in decisions that affect their work. And here’s the reality: we don’t know where resistance will surface until we encounter it. That’s why change management plans must be iterative and flexible, with built-in connection points to adjust communications, scope, and engagement strategies as new insights emerge. This session explores practical approaches for assessing readiness, addressing resistance, and staying nimble so change sticks without leaving the “living room” in chaos.

In a rapidly changing landscape, higher ed institutions are navigating unpredictable currents—from demographic shifts and policy changes to technological disruption and climate uncertainty. This interactive session explores how foresight, agility, and resilience form a connected system that enables individuals, teams, and organizations to adapt and thrive in a disruptive and uncertain environment. Participants will learn and apply scenario planning and agile tools for building institutional resilience. Case studies will ground the conversations in reality and practice space will allow participants to apply to their current context.

Culture isn’t just what we say—it’s the water we swim in, and it impacts everything from decision-making to risk management. For Finance leaders and professionals, understanding culture is critical because it shapes how teams collaborate, handle pressure, and deliver results.

In this interactive session, we’ll explore the difference between organizational culture and climate, how they influence daily behaviors, and the visible and invisible factors that define your workplace—from accountability norms to communication styles. Through hands-on activities and reflection, you’ll gain deeper insight into your current environment and walk away with practical strategies to assess and influence positive change.

Whether you’re managing budgets, leading audits, or driving strategic financial decisions, this session will equip you to become a confident and intentional culture shaper—creating an environment where accuracy, trust, and performance thrive.