Home Elevate 2026 Sponsorship Podcast Register Now
Celebrating Five Years!

A Community Built on
Collaboration

An annual conference and year-round digital community built for independent school marketing and communication professionals.

About Elevate

More Than a Conference.
A Movement.

Elevate is a professional community and biennial conference designed exclusively for marketing and communication specialists at independent schools across North America. We believe in collaborative, hands-on professional development that goes beyond traditional lectures.

Since launching in Nashville in 2022 with just 12 attendees, Elevate has grown into a recognized gathering point for school communicators seeking practical brainstorming, authentic peer connection, and creative renewal.

Elevate conference attendees collaborating

Our Mission

“Foster an environment of community, growth, and renewal for independent school communication and marketing professionals.”

5 Years of Collaboration

100+
Attendees
62
Schools Participated
24
States Represented
100s
Friendships Formed
Why Elevate?

Built Different. By Design.

Elevate isn't your typical industry conference. Here's what sets us apart.

Intimate & Intentional

Capped at 50 attendees to ensure meaningful connections, not just surface-level networking.

Brainstorm, Don't Lecture

Interactive sessions focused on practical problem-solving, not one-way presentations.

Year-Round Community

Stay connected between conferences through our active Google Chat community for ongoing support.

Community Growth and Renewal

Elevate Through the Years

Leadership

Meet the Team

The people behind the Elevate movement.

Phil Goodman

Phil Goodman

Executive Director

15 years in marketing and communications at Brentwood Academy. Phil founded Elevate in 2022 to unite independent school marketing professionals. Known for creative thinking and challenging conventional approaches.

Contact Phil
Libby Alvarez

Libby Alvarez

Associate Director

Creative marketing leader at Lipscomb Academy. Libby brings expertise in social media, video production, photography, and web design. She specializes in authentic storytelling and strategic brand development.

Contact Libby
The Comm Dept. Podcast
Now Streaming

The Comm Dept. Podcast

Exploring marketing, communication, and creativity within private, independent schools. Featuring industry trends, best practices, and real conversations with education professionals.

Year-Round Connection

Elevate Digital Community

Stay connected between conferences through our active Google Chat community — sharing ideas, solving challenges, and growing together year-round.

Next Conference

Elevate 2026
Atlanta, Georgia

Join us for our 5th anniversary celebration at Heritage Preparatory School. June 1–3, 2026, with an optional add-on day on June 4.

  • Heritage Preparatory School, Atlanta
  • June 1–3, 2026
  • Limited to 50 Attendees
5 Years
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026