REGISTER
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Market volatility, political pressure and economic uncertainty are contributing to greater financial stress for institutions. In this environment, presidents must be united with their board of governors and surrounded by a cabinet they can trust. If these relationships are misaligned, the entire institution will suffer.
Co-hosted by Inside Higher Ed Editor in Chief Sara Custer and Paul Friga, clinical professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as senior consultant at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), this webcast will focus on governance in challenging circumstances, and how leaders should be managing up and managing down.
Attendees will learn about role distinctions, how alignment breaks – and how it is repaired – and who has what decision rights in the executive structure. The webcast will also feature first-hand examples of what high-functioning board-cabinet relationships look like in practice.
Can't attend the webcast? You should still register -- all registrants will receive a recording of the webcast and a copy of the presentation slides.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 2 p.m. E.T.
Insider Premium Leadership and Strategy Webcast: Maintaining Board and Cabinet Alignment in Turbulent Times
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Senior higher education leaders and decision-makers, including:
- Presidents
- Chancellors
- Provosts
- CFOs
- Board members
ABOUT THE SERIES
This session is the third in a three-part leadership and strategy webcast series focused on the key challenges facing higher education leaders today. Powered by Insider Premium, the series offers actionable advice on financial sustainability, mergers, affiliations and partnerships, and board-cabinet alignment in turbulent times.
PANELISTS
Paul N. Friga
Clinical Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Senior Consultant at AGB
Paul N. Friga, Ph.D., is a leading strategist and thought leader in higher education with 35 years of experience as a professor, researcher and consultant at UNC Chapel Hill and Indiana University. A clinical professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, he also serves as a senior consultant for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), specializing in strategy, mergers, affiliations and partnerships. His previous roles as a consultant with PwC (where he earned CPA and CMA designations) and McKinsey (including higher education projects) broadened his expertise. Friga co-founded ABC Insights—now part of HelioCampus—to improve university efficiency and effectiveness. He has authored 20+ articles and two best-selling books (The McKinsey Mind and The McKinsey Engagement) and hosted numerous webcasts for Inside Higher Ed and other trade publications. Friga holds an MBA and Ph.D. from UNC Chapel Hill and a double degree in management and accounting (magna cum laude) from Saint Francis University.
Sara Custer
Editor in Chief at Inside Higher Ed
Sara Custer became Inside Higher Ed's editor in chief in March 2024. Before joining Inside Higher Ed, she was editor of Times Higher Education's (THE) Campus, a collection of daily resources designed for higher education faculty and staff members to learn, share and connect with colleagues at universities and colleges worldwide. Prior to that, she shaped THE’s online presence as its digital editor, helping to launch THE’s newsletter strategy and overseeing daily, weekly and monthly publications. From 2012 to 2017, she served as editor and senior reporter at The PIE News, covering the international education industry. Sara grew up in Cushing, Okla., and earned a B.A. in English literature from Loyola University Chicago and an M.A. in international journalism from City, University of London.
Patricia McLaughlin
Past Board Chair of Notre Dame of Maryland University
Patricia McLaughlin, SSND, is a School Sister of Notre Dame and immediate past chair of the board of Notre Dame of Maryland University. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from the College of Notre Dame (now University) and a master’s degree in humanities from Manhattanville College (now University). Sr. Pat’s career includes experience as educator, college administrator, religious community leader, non-profit administrator and chair of boards of two private secondary schools and the university. Sr. Pat currently serves as coordinator of mission integration at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
JuliAnn Mazachek
President of Washburn University
Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek has served as president of Washburn University since 2023, following more than 30 years of leadership at the institution. Her previous roles include accounting faculty member, dean of the School of Business, CEO of the University Foundation and alumni association, and vice president of academic affairs. Dr. Mazachek’s commitment to student success includes investment in faculty and staff, supporting programs and professional development, and seeking to maximize individuals’ special talents and gifts to make a difference for students. In President Mazachek’s first year, she drafted Washburn’s new strategic framework, Thriving Together, that was adopted by the board in February 2024. She also led the development of a new seven-year master plan for university and tech campuses, focused on enhancing learning and working environments to ensure Washburn’s graduates are well prepared to excel in their chosen discipline. Over the last three years, the university has experienced significant enrollment growth, welcoming the largest incoming freshman class in its 160-year history for fall 2024. Washburn was also named one of the Great Colleges to Work For in 2024 and was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 25 regional public university and a top Midwest university.
Marylou Yam
President of Notre Dame of Maryland University
President Marylou Yam is a visionary leader with a commitment to student success and innovation. Dr. Yam was appointed the 14th president of Notre Dame of Maryland University in 2014. Over her 12-year tenure, NDMU significantly expanded academic programs including some of the first in the state or first by a private university, launched NDMU online and transitioned the Women’s College to gender inclusive. NDMU raised total enrollment by 38% and set record high new student enrollments. Historic fundraising dollars were raised, the endowment grew by 56% to a record high and fiscal resources were strengthened. NDMU acquired the Maryland University of Integrative Health and merged it into a new School of Integrative Health at NDMU, enhanced campus facilities and expanded the land envelope of the campus. NDMU engaged with a developer to build an independent senior living residence on its campus. Dr. Yam is currently a trustee on the NAICU board. In 2025, NDMU was a recipient of AGB’s Nason Award for board leadership and courage.
John R. Dietrick
Chair of the Board of Regents at Washburn University and Managing Partner at The Law Offices of John R. Dietrick, P.A.
John received his bachelor of arts from Washburn University and juris doctorate from Washburn University School of Law. He also received his master of public administration from the University of Kansas. John has extensive corporate, insurance, employment and labor law experience spanning more than 40 years and offers legal services through The Law Offices of John R. Dietrick, P.A. John is admitted to practice law in Kansas and Louisiana and is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, American Bar, Kansas Bar, Topeka Bar and the Louisiana State Bar Associations. John is also a veteran who served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.
SIGN UP FOR THE COMPLETE WEBCAST SERIES
Watch the On-Demand Video for the Insider Premium Webcast (1 of 3) | Held April 29
➤ Insider Premium Leadership and Strategy Webcast: A New Playbook for Financial Stress
Watch the On-Demand Video for the Insider Premium Webcast (2 of 3) | Held May 27