2025 Blueprint to Brilliance: The Owners and Directors Success Toolkit Session Descriptions
Plenary Session:
Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes - Common Mistakes of Leading Teams and How to Build High Performing Organizations - Wei-Li Chong, Otter Learning
Most leaders want to do right by their people. In trying to be supportive, flexible, and present,
they act with positive intent but often create the opposite effect: burnout, blurred boundaries,
and disengagement. This session takes a hard look at the unintended consequences of well-
meaning leadership, backed by research on employee productivity, and practical real world
insights. You’ll learn how to spot the most common leadership missteps and walk away with
actionable strategies to build a high-performance team that thrives.
Breakout Sessions 1:
Generations at Work: Bridging the Gap in Child Care Teams-ReShaun Webb, Rainbow Childrens Station Learn how to lead a generationally diverse workforce with confidence, clarity, and practical strategies that build trust, communication, and cohesion across all age groups.
Eat, Learn, Grow! Tools for Creating Healthy, High-Quality Learning Environments ~Monica Griffin Explore how nutrition supports children’s development and quality improvement in child care settings. This session offers hands-on activities, practical strategies, and free resources—including a board book, cookbook, poster, and more—to strengthen mealtime practices across your program.
Integrate Your Brand: Intentional Construction Decisions - Neel Sengupta, Better Beans Branding This session guides child care owners through key considerations when acquiring a new school, with a focus on integrating their brand. Learn how construction choices impact capacity and licensing, and uncover high-impact priorities—like signage and layout—that can deliver strong returns.
Breakout Sessions 2:
Leading for Change: The Application of Adaptive Leadership ~ Dr. Jason Lody, Eventus Education Discover how adaptive leadership can help early childhood leaders navigate change, drive improvement, and create lasting impact—with practical strategies and tools to lead through uncertainty and strengthen program success.
Compliance that Pays Off: Let's Talk about Compliance: Systems that Save Time and Money, and Staff Success Training and Sustaining Strategies ~ Jaime Rechkemmer, Aim4Impact and Cindy Morgan, 1Place Childcare Using real Georgia licensing data, this fast-paced session gives child care leaders practical tools to simplify compliance, reduce risk, cut costs, and build a culture of quality and accountability through smart systems and strategies.
Small Business Loans Deciphered ~Susan Paz-McBrayer and W. Troy Vollenweider, UGA Small Business Development Center This session empowers business owners to confidently navigate the lending process, understand different loan types, and build strong banking relationships. With expert-led insights and practical tools, you'll leave ready to secure the right financing to grow and strengthen your business.
Breakout Sessions 3:
Monkey Management – Letting Others Own Their Problems ~ Carrie Casey and Kate Woodward Young, Director Success Academy As a leader, your day can quickly fill up with other people’s problems: staff issues, small decisions, and constant interruptions that all seem urgent... but don’t actually belong to you. These are “monkeys” and when you carry too many of them, you lose time, energy, and the ability to lead strategically.
The Free & Easy Enrollment Toolkit ~ Gerin Thomas, Simplyst You'll learn how to simplify your enrollment process with seven free tools designed to help you attract, engage, and convert families without burning out or breaking the bank.
Building Your Business: Advocacy and Growth Strategies for Early ChildCare Providers ~ Julie Newman, Dunwoody Prep This program will discuss different ways to increase value for your business. We will talk about building strategic partnerships with local governments, chambers of commerce, economic development opportunities, and ways to help build your local networks to advocate for your centers.
Plenary Session:
Get to Know DECAL-Discover how DECAL’s departments can support your team with behavior guidance, inclusion resources, training opportunities, and infant/toddler care assistance—plus who to contact and where to find it all.