Catalyst: Strengthening Your School's Operations and Finances
January 30-31, 2025 | Greenville, SC
Overview
Ignite your school’s mission and broaden your vision at Catalyst, ACSI’s new Christian School Financial Conference, located in beautiful, downtown Greenville, SC, on January 30-31. All content, workshops and speakers were hand-selected based on survey responses from over 900 ACSI member school leaders and business administrators.
Catalyst will feature industry expert key-note sessions designed to equip and inspire. In addition, there will be workshops focusing on actionable solutions your school can implement on day one. With specialized tracks in Finance, Fundraising, Operations, Human Resources, and Leadership, Catalyst is a one stop shop to advance your school.
- Tailor your conference experience by selecting one track or by mixing workshops based on your school’s needs.
- Network with experts who help drive effective Christian school operations.
- Bring your leadership team and be prepared to take your school to the next level.
Speakers
Ron Blue
Founder, Ron Blue Institute
Ron Blue is the founder of the Ron Blue Institute. He has also been the founder and co-founder of several organizations to include Ronald Blue and Company. That firm now Blue Trust, grew to advise on over $59 Billion in assets for its more than 10,000 clients nationwide with a staff of over 400 people in 17 offices across the country; Kingdom Advisors (KA), a ministry that trains Christian financial professionals to integrate biblical wisdom into their client advice; and the National Christian Foundation (NCF), a ministry that helps generous people create a biblically principled strategy that empowers Christians to be more faithful, generous, and full alive. Ron is the author of more than twenty books on personal finance from a Biblical perspective.
The Ron Blue Institute (RBI) serves Christian universities, churches, high schools, and financial professionals nationally and globally. RBI is dedicated to multiplying Ron’s decades of professional experience and intellectual property through publications, curriculum development, courses, and consultation in multiple outlets worldwide. Ron and his wife Judy have been married fifty-eight years. They have five adult children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great grandchildren and live in Bloomington, Indiana.
Contact: pgelatt@ronblueinstitute.com
Kurt Unruh
Founder, NextEd
Kurt is a startup guy–ever since he was a child. Even in his early years, Kurt envisioned what was missing from the present and worked to bring it about. These qualities grew a creative developer and entrepreneur who was on a mission to see Christ’s Kingdom play out in the here and now.
Spanning thirty-five years in vocational ministry, Kurt’s venture into Christian schooling began with supporting his wife (Jade) in the homeschooling of their five children. Trained as an attorney and while practicing law, Kurt became the founding Head of School of Valor Christian High School, serving 1200 students in grades 9-12. During that fifteen-year journey as Head of School, Kurt became immersed in learning and experiencing exceptional Christian schools throughout the world.
Sensing a growing responsibility and passion for advancing Jesus-centered education, Kurt continues to stretch for the provision, excellence, and access on a global level through Founding NextEd as a professional service company serving the Christian school sector, founding the Courage Schools brand of education in partnership with local churches, and the founding Jesus Schools global campaign to increase awareness and access to Jesus-centered education across the globe.
Contact: kurt@next-ed.com
Schuyler Lehman
Founder and Principal, Mission Advancement Professionals
Schuyler Lehman created Mission Advancement with the objective of helping nonprofit organizations develop the capacity for relationship-based major and principal gifts. Throughout his career spanning nearly four decades, his unwavering focus on serving
the passions, interests, and needs of the donor has helped to redefine institutional fundraising. Schuyler has authored three books outlining his unique philosophy and approach, and he is also a frequent speaker and presenter at regional, national,
and international conferences.
Schuyler has helped raise more than $6 billion for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations (educational, social service, youth, community, etc. - most of which have a Christian faith focus). He has provided
consultation and advice to more than 1,000 nonprofits throughout the U.S. and Canada for major capital and endowment campaigns, annual funds, and general development activities.
Residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1992, he lives
with his wife Jennifer in McKinney, Texas.
Contact: slehman@missionadvancement.com
Workshop Leaders
Mike Allen
Superintendent, Evansville Christian School
Erik Brown
Director of Cybersecurity, FACTS
John Klingstedt
Chief Operating Officer, ACSI
Chris Loncar
Vice President of Human Resources, ACSI
Eric Price
Christian School Research Author, ACSI; Christian Risk Advisor, Atlas Insurance
Philip G. Puleo, MBA
Education Consultant and Advocate, Philip G. Puleo, LLC
Ken Schuetz
CEO and Founder, Aligned Influence Consulting
Martin Riggs
Chief Generosity Officer, Landmark Christian School; Adjunct Philanthropy Consultant, Christian School Management, Inc.
Recommended Hotels
Residence Inn Greenville Downtown
SpringHill Suites Greenville Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville Downtown RiverPlace
Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Downtown RiverPlace