Ivybrook Academy Celebrates Franchise Community and Accelerated Momentum at Annual Conference

July 23, 2026 // Franchising.com // CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Ivybrook Academy hosted its annual conference, Relationships: The Heart of Ivybrook, from July 8-10 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The three-day event brought together school leaders, owners, corporate team members, and key partners from across the Ivybrook Academy system to discuss relationships that support the program and the connections within the Ivybrook community.

Throughout the conference, attendees engaged in dynamic keynote presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and in-depth discussions focused on leadership, relationship-building, financial strategy, team development, and enriching school communities.

Highlights included a keynote by leadership expert Gail Kasper, who shared actionable insights on cultivating a growth mindset and achieving exceptional results through empowering leadership. Additional sessions featured "Path to Profitability," which explored school financial performance and operational tools; "Relationships That Build Your School," centered on fostering deeper family connections; "Hiring for Relationships," focused on building strong teams and school cultures; and "The Afternoon Advantage," designed to help leaders elevate communication and classroom practices.

This year’s conference arrived at a pivotal moment as the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary in August. Since opening its first campus in Weddington, North Carolina, Ivybrook Academy has grown to operate multiple campuses with a half-day program and an individualized curriculum, focusing on engaging early learning environments for children.

“Our annual conference is always a highlight of the year because it brings our Ivybrook community together to celebrate our shared mission, exchange ideas, and learn from one another,” said Drew McWilliams, co-founder of Ivybrook Academy. “As we approach our 20th anniversary, this gathering offered a chance to reflect on our impact over the past two decades and look ahead to the future of Ivybrook. The relationships across our network are at the heart of our success, and we are deeply grateful for the dedication and passion that make our schools such special places for children and families.”

Conference programming also offered dedicated sessions for franchise owners at every stage of their journey, from those opening their first school to experienced owners seeking to further strengthen their businesses. Through peer discussions, leadership sessions, and collaborative workshops, attendees explored strategies to enhance operations, support their teams, and deliver early education experiences for families.

As part of the conference, awards were given to individuals who demonstrated commitment to the program’s mission, families, students, and communities. Award recipients included Jade Thompson of Tampa Palms, Florida, Rookie of the Year; Amber Stravlo of Lubbock, Texas, President’s Award; Maneesha Mankad of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Community Connection Award; Bruce Humphries of Seven Hills, Georgia, Golden Heart Award; Shea Althoff of Franklin, Tennessee, Educator of the Year; Kathleen Bookbinder of Greenville East, Administrator of the Year; and Brittney and Michael Babb of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ivybrook Spirit Award. Additional campuses were recognized through Head of the Class and Growth and Momentum awards.

SOURCE Ivybrook Academy

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