Location
1900 5th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
The venue is three blocks northwest of the Seattle Convention Center’s Summit Building, headquarters for Thrive 2026.
Program schedule
- 8:30-9:20 am: Check-in
- 8:30-9:20: Breakfast (provided by Fine Point Communications)
- 8:30-9:15: Professional head shots by photographer Paul Dudley (optional)
- 9:00-9:30: Welcome and attendee introductions
- 9:30-10:15: “Thinking Bigger: The Evolution from Directors to Strategic Leaders,” by Christina Hultholm
- 10:15-10:30: Break
- 10:30-11:15: “Going Up: The Route From Comms Toward Headship,” by Topher Nichols
- 11:15-12:00: “Viral Videos: Storytelling for Today’s Audiences,” by Brandan Roberts
- 12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch (provided by Fine Point Communications)
- 1:00-1:45: “How Our Communications Offices Are Using AI” (panel discussion)
- 1:45-2:30: Keynote — “Finding Inspiration: The Moment Curiosity Turns Into Storytelling,” by Eli Saslow
- 2:30-3:00: Coffee break (provided by Fine Point Communications)
- 3:00-3:45: “Truth, Trust, and Tragedy: Mastering Crisis Communications,” by Juanita Traughber
- 3:45-4:30: “Call to Courage: Bringing It Back Home,” by Nicole McDermott
- 4:30-4:35: Conclusion
Tickets
Meet Our Faculty
An all-star list of communications experts will join our keynote speaker, Pulitzer-winning journalist Eli Saslow, in leading Fine Point Off-Site sessions.
Juanita Traughber is the director of marketing and communications at University School of Nashville, an all-gender, K-12, independent school in Tennessee.
Brandan Roberts is the director of video for McCallie School, a boarding school for boys in grades 6-12 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Topher Nichols is the interim assistant head for communications and strategy at The Dalton School, a coed day school serving grades K-12 in New York City.
Nicole McDermott is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, a certified professional coach and a former independent head of school.
Christina Hultholm is the director of strategic communications at Grace Church School, an independent JK–12 day school in New York City.
Important note
To gain the most out of the 2026 Fine Point Off-Site, attendees should direct/manage/lead the communications (or marketing and communications) function at their school.
Are you an aspiring leader? Fine Point Communications intends to offer programming in the future that will better meet your needs. In the meantime, subscribe to our Refill newsletter for ongoing — and free! — professional development.
Questions?
Contact Fine Point Communications at hello@finepointcommunications.com.