Chief Operations Officer (COO)
The California Montessori Project
Candice Lamarche is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of California Montessori Project, bringing 23 years of experience in California charter schools. A founding staff member of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) and current board member of Pacific Charter Institute (PCI), she has helped launch schools, build sustainable operations, and develop statewide leadership programs. Her experience spans school operations, human resources, strategic planning, and organizational development, including roles at CCSA, CharterSAFE, and the Charter Schools Development Center. Candice is committed to strengthening systems and teams so schools can better serve students, staff, and families.
Leadership transitions are inevitable — but they're rarely planned for, and even more rarely discu…Leadership transitions are inevitable — but they're rarely planned for, and even more rarely discussed openly. This session is designed for those contemplating a career shift, building a succession plan, or sitting on a board wondering how to prepare for leadership change. The presenters, Irene Salter and Caitlin O'Halloran Hellar, bring their own non-linear careers to the table and have assembled a panel of California charter leaders who have been through it myriad scenarios: ones who shifted into charter leadership from other fields, ones who built something and then passed it on, and ones figuring out what comes after.
Leaning into William Bridges' Transition Model and Jenny Blake's Pivot framework as anchors, this session offers real stories, practical tools, and honest conversation about one of the least-discussed challenges in the charter sector: what happens when it's time for what's next.
This session provides a practical, field tested risk management idea for charter school leaders to s…This session provides a practical, field tested risk management idea for charter school leaders to strengthen their insurance programs and overall risk management strategy. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the evolving exposures facing charter schools including student safety, contracts, field trips, cyber liability, and governance risks. The presenters will use real-world examples to illustrate how schools can improve outcomes through proactive risk controls and participants will leave with actionable tools to enhance program design, support compliance, and protect both students and school assets.
