Keynote speaker
Eli Saslow
Eli Saslow, a reporter at The New York Times, is widely acknowledged as one of the best feature writers in American journalism.
His unforgettable stories often engage difficult social and public policy issues with remarkable humanity. Recently, they examined the impact of tariffs on local business, how small-town America is facing new outbreaks of measles, and restarting a business after an immigration raid.
Saslow’s work has been recognized with many honors, including Pulitzer Prizes in 2014 and 2023. The Pulitzer board has shortlisted his feature writing three other times, as well. He is the author of four books, and Off-Site attendees will receive his latest, 2021’s Voices from the Pandemic, as a gift. A graduate of Syracuse University, he lives in Portland, Ore.
Learn how a journalist builds compelling stories about timely and interesting ideas — and how you and your team can practice this skill at your school.
Session title and time: “Finding Inspiration: The Moment Curiosity Turns Into Storytelling,” 1:45 p.m.
Faculty
Christina Hultholm
Christina Hultholm is the director of strategic communications at Grace Church School, an independent JK–12 day school in New York City. A repeat presenter at the NAIS Annual Conference and NYSAIS conferences, she is also a trusted adviser to many school leaders on strategic planning and communications through her work at SMCH Consulting, which she co-founded.
Hultholm came to her role at Grace after heading comms at two other NYC schools, and her expertise in understanding organizational dynamics and building strategic collaboration is widely recognized.
A graduate of New York University and Princeton University, Hultholm was a game theorist and political economist prior to transitioning into education. She lives in Lawrenceville, N.J., and chronicles the adventures of her backyard menagerie on @realgroundhogsofnj.
Session title and time: “Thinking Bigger: The Evolution from Directors to Strategic Leaders,” 9:30 a.m.
Topher Nichols
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.
He joined Dalton in 2023 as chief communications officer, following 10 years in a similar role at Grace Church School. Nichols has also been a teacher and a camp director.
A graduate of Chapman University and the School for International Training, he has completed certificate programs with Harvard Business School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He lives in New York City.
Session title and time: “Going Up: The Route From Comms Toward Headship,” 10:30 a.m.
Nicole McDermott
Nicole McDermott is an educator, leader, coach, facilitator, and consultant with more than 20 years of professional experience.
McDermott’s approach is grounded in mutual trust, warmth, integrity, and vulnerability — whether she is co-creating transformative spaces with clients for professional and personal growth through her Quality Matters leadership development work or supporting schools with search and transition at Educational Directions.
A former longtime head of an independent school, McDermott was trained in 2019 by Brené Brown as a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator. She is also certified by the International Coaching Federation as a professional coach. A graduate of Salve Regina University and George Mason University, she lives in Northern Virginia.
Session title and time: “Call to Courage: Bringing It Back Home,” 3:45 p.m.
Brandan Roberts
Brandan Roberts is the director of video for McCallie School, a boarding school for boys in grades 6-12 in Chattanooga, Tenn. His work is setting the standard for independent school videos.
“Big Blue Planet at McCallie” received a 2023 CASE Circle of Excellence Gold award, the school’s first, and McCallie has won 19 Brilliance Awards since 2017, including 11 Gold awards. A video produced last May became a national sensation during graduation season.
A graduate of Southern Adventist University, he lives in Chattanooga.
Session title and time: “Viral Videos: Storytelling for Today’s Audiences,” 11:15 a.m.
Juanita Traughber
Juanita I.C. Traughber, APR, is a national-award-winning public relations professional and Pulitzer-finalist journalist with a passion for counseling the next generation of storytellers.
She is the director of marketing and communications at University School of Nashville, an all-gender, K-12, independent school in Tennessee. Traughber’s career began as a reporter for The Associated Press and several daily newspapers before transitioning to PR with stints in higher education and government.
She has presented at conferences and webinars for the Public Relations Society of America, National School Public Relations Association and Independent School Data Exchange, and she is a past president of PRSA Nashville.
Traughber earned two bachelor’s degrees, in journalism and international affairs, at the University of Georgia, holds an MBA from Belmont University, and lives in Nashville.
Session title and time: “Truth, Trust, and Tragedy: Mastering Crisis Communications,” 3:00 p.m.
Moderators
Scott Butterworth
Scott Butterworth is principal of Fine Point Communications, leading a consultancy that serves independent schools. Before founding Fine Point in 2020, he directed communications at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., and was an editor at The Washington Post for 14 years.
He helps judge the annual Brilliance Awards for independent schools, and he is the lead writer of a monthly newsletter, Refill, that examines topics affecting school communications. A graduate of the University of Houston, Butterworth lives in Rockville, Md.
Erin Dentmon
Erin Dentmon is an associate at Fine Point Communications, assisting independent schools with a wide range of communications needs.
She comes to this work as a former communications and admissions director for Atlanta Girls’ School and an advancement writer for The Westminster Schools; she previously worked as a community journalist.
Dentmon has been a key contributor to multiple CASE-Award-winning projects across categories, including magazines, websites, and video. She is a two-time presenter to the CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference. A graduate of Mercer University, she lives in Durham, N.C.