Independent schools are operating in an era of accelerating change. AI, data governance, staffing pressures, shifting family expectations, and increased board scrutiny are reshaping decision-making across institutions. Yet many strategic planning processes remain reactive, backward-looking, and disconnected from day-to-day technology and operational decisions.

In this session, Mike Cobb draws on his work as Senior Innovation and Organizational Excellence Strategist at Mission & Data, Futurist in Residence at Landmark School and Forsyth Country Day School, and decades of leadership experience in education to introduce strategic foresight as a leadership discipline rather than a prediction exercise.

The session focuses on how schools can build internal capacity to sense change early, interpret weak signals, and make better long-range decisions, particularly around technology, governance, and institutional priorities. Rather than chasing trends, foresight helps schools remain mission-anchored while becoming more adaptive and resilient.