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HomeAISH Summer Seminar

Annual Summer Seminar

July 8 - 12, 2025

St. Gilgen, Austria

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AISH SUMMER SEMINAR

Celebrate Leadership and Cultivate Community
Set the heart of Austria, near the stunning Bavarian Alps, AISH Summer Seminar 2025 promiss to be a truly transformative experience designed specifically for International School Heads, Directors, or Deputy Directors. To be held at the beautiful St. Gilgen International School on July 8 - 12, this Summer Seminar offers a blend of professional growth, personal renewal, and the celebration of what it means to lead with purpose in today’s complex global landscape.


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25 YEARS OF AISH

Celebrate our Anniversary

This year, we’re thrilled to honor 25 years of AISH’s mission to provide advocacy, support, and professional growth opportunities “for Heads by Heads.” Together, we’ll explore trusted principles that empower leaders to slow down, listen, and rediscover the values that led them into leadership.

 

Summer Seminar 2024
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REFLECT AND CONNECT

Explore Renewal 

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect, connect, and renew in one of Europe’s most beautiful settings. Rediscover the treasures of the international school headship and return to your role with renewed strength, resilience, and inspiration.

Early Bird Price - $2975 (Register and pay by March 1st)
Late Registration - $3200 (After March 1st) 
Member's Spouse or Guest - $800

Fee includes 4 days of professional learning, 4 nights accomodation, all meals, drinks, and evening social events. 

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Our Facilitators

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Homa Tavangar

Homa Sabet Tavangar has spent over 30 years exploring culture, innovation, leadership, global citizenship, and deep diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her work connects current issues with the timeless drive to lead with purpose.


Homa’s clients range from Fortune 50 corporations to public, international and independent K-12 schools around the world; from an Ivy League university to Disney Channel and numerous not-for-profit public and multilateral organizations and professional associations. Co-founding the Big Questions Institute represents a natural extension of her work, especially during a time of unprecedented global challenges.


Homa is the author of widely-acclaimed Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World(Random House, 2009), Global Kids (Barefoot, 2019); The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners (Sage/Corwin, 2014), contributor toMastering Global Literacy, Heidi Hayes-Jacobs, ed. (Solution Tree, Nov. 2013) and the 3-book Take-Action Guide to World-Class Learners (Corwin, 2016) series with Professor Yong Zhao. 


Derrick Gay

Dr. Derrick Gay, www.derrickgay.com, is a globally recognized Belonging and Intercultural Strategist, dedicated to building inclusive cultures, grounded in dignity and respect. As an international speaker, author, researcher, and educator, Dr. Gay partners with individuals and organizations to strengthen belonging by fostering shared language, raising awareness, and promoting inclusive practices. His areas of expertise include inclusive leadership, professional development, teaching and learning, governance, intercultural competency, and global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).


With over 28 years of experience across more than 50 countries and fluency in five languages, Dr. Gay has partnered with over 800 organizations spanning diverse sectors such as education, finance, arts, and fashion. His clients have included Yale, Barilla, Phantom of the Opera, The Guggenheim Museum, Tom Ford, Sesame Street, and more than 500 K-12 international schools.


In addition, Dr. Gay serves as adjunct faculty at Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Parsons Paris, where he teaches intercultural competency. A classically trained musician and opera singer, he also serves on the board of MERIT Music School and has served on various educational and arts boards.



Sessions will center around:

Building Skills, Dispositions and Literacies to Lead into  an Uncertain Future

Education and schooling are on the precipice of a huge transition into a future filled with both amazing opportunities and daunting challenges - which most leaders are already acutely feeling. Let’s explore and develop new skills and dispositions, from courage and complex sense-making, to storytelling and imagination infrastructures that can help leaders be more effective and aspirational. Embracing these new lenses can help restore joy, well-being, and professional growth into the challenging role of school leadership.

Change Management in Challenging Circumstances

In our rapidly changing world, effective crisis- and change management are essential for learning, innovation and building community.

Using case studies from international schools, we will explore through open dialogue, reflection, and collaboration, how leaders can navigate complexity, and build cultures of belonging, trust, and growth.

Building Inclusive, Intercultural Communities

For international schools, diversity and inclusion are not just goals—they are essential strengths. We’ll examine how to make diversity a strategic priority and foster truly inclusive cultures where every member of the community feels seen, valued, and heard. This seminar is a space for self-reflection and intercultural dialogue, allowing us to acknowledge our own identities, understand privilege, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive leadership.

What You Can Expect

  • Retreat-Style Program: Three days of enriching professional learning in an environment designed for relaxation, connection, and deep reflection.
  • Meaningful Learning: Sessions led by experts and peers, exploring the unique complexities of the international school headship role.
  • Peer Support: Small “Home Groups” will provide a safe space to share experiences and insights.
  • Spark Talks: Inspiring, quick sessions packed with actionable ideas to take back to your school.
  • Evening Cultural Events: Explore the local culture and beauty of Austria, fostering friendships and unforgettable memories.
  • Partner Program: A special strand of activities for spouses/partners, with opportunities to join in professional development sessions.

What Past Participants Say

This unique seminar is frequently rated as the best professional development of the year.

Attendees describe the experience as resulting in:

  • A renewed sense of purpose and integrity
  • Deep personal satisfaction and a refreshed mindset
  • New friendships and strengthened community bonds
  • Enhanced confidence and relational trust
  • Inspiration to create supportive professional communities

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