Transform Workplace Conflict into Your Organization's Greatest Strength
Feeling the strain of division in your workplace? Struggling to manage political polarization? You're not alone. Discover research-informed strategies to turn tension into productive, healthy collaboration for stronger school communities and democracy.
What if conflict didn't stall progress—but strengthened it?
PEBC is excited to announce a new suite of offerings led by Dr. Katy Anthes, former Colorado Commissioner of Education and current Director of the FORWARD Initiative at PEBC.
Together, we will unpack the roots of conflict and political polarization in educational communities, debunk common myths, and equip leaders across sectors to move forward with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
FORWARD’s Work:
Lead Through Division with Confidence
Whether you lead in a classroom, a board room, or a mission-driven organization, gain the renewed perspective needed to strengthen Colorado's communities.
Current Offering:
Successfully Navigating Conflict - You Can Do it!
Four Stand Alone Virtual Sessions:
- October 2nd, 2026 - 2:00-3:30pm MT
- October 29th, 2026 - 3:00-4:30pm MT
- January 12th, 2027 - 2:00pm-3:30pm MT
- February 25th, 2027 - 3:00pm-4:30pm MT
$99/Person General Ticket
Inspiring, high-impact presentations tailored for conferences, district-wide events, and leadership summits to reframe how your team approaches division.
We support future and current leaders with professional development that will include specific strategies of effective relationship building, problem solving and conflict management.
Who this is for |
What you will gain |
|---|---|
School & District Leadersseeking to navigate high-tension environments |
Awareness & Empathyaround how conflict impacts the education workforce and your community |
Teachers & Instructional Coachesaiming for healthier team and parent dynamics |
Research-Informed Strategiesto de-escalate high-conflict situations |
Cross-Sector Organizations(Education, Business, Philanthropy, Nonprofits) |
Shared Language & Toolsto bridge divides and foster meaningful collaboration |
SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS
We will support future and current district superintendents, school board members and state education administrators, and other key leaders with professional development that will include specific strategies of effective relationship building, problem solving and conflict management.
This type of support will help leaders create better district environments for getting critical work done so that teachers and principals can better serve each and every student. Current services in this strategy are:
- 1:1 and/or team coaching of superintendents, school board members, education administrators and other leaders
- Leading workshops, book studies, problems of practice and discussions regarding productive conflict
- Speaking engagements to learn about polarization and ways to move beyond it
PARTNER FOR ACTION
There is substantial need for multiple organizations in this space to support each other and to create a tipping point away from unproductive fighting and toward problem solving, productive politics and decision-making—behaviors that support democracy and education. We will partner with and amplify organizations and people who see through the binary, black and white answers to help the public understand the complexity of solutions in education. We will expand each other’s strengths and expertise while jointly empowering thoughtful processes and people.
Activities in this work strand might include:
- Hosting or co-hosting professional development sessions at relevant conferences
- Supporting and hosting convenings to learn from and amplify the work of other organizations doing similar work on civic dialog and finding common ground.
- Working with other leadership development and coaching organizations to lead or co-lead professional development
Stay up to date on upcoming workshops, resources, and insights from Dr. Katy Anthes
FORWARD Director: Dr. Katy Anthes
Commissioner of Education in Colorado from 2016-2023, Dr. Katy Anthes is widely respected for her commitment to listen to diverse perspectives and her legacy of developing solutions that are founded on productive middle ground. Continuously keeping students’ best interests as her top priority, she focuses on providing high quality expertise and support to policymakers, districts and educators working to enhance student achievement. As Commissioner, Anthes worked with the Colorado State Board of Education, the Legislature and the Governor to craft and implement a vision of education for Colorado. She led the Colorado Department of Education, an $8 billion dollar agency, dedicated to helping districts achieve great things for students. During her time as Commissioner, she served on the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Board of Directors, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) Steering Committee, and Chiefs for Change.
Dr. Anthes led CDE from 2011 to 2023, serving as Chief of Staff, Interim Associate Commissioner for Achievement and Strategy and Executive Director of Educator Effectiveness. As the ED of Educator Effectiveness, she led CDE’s efforts to support and retain highly effective educators in Colorado. In her previous position as a partner with the Third Mile Group, Anthes led and researched major education initiatives for state, district, and national organizations on a variety of education issues. Her projects included the Colorado School Leadership Academy Board, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Commission and the evaluation of district education programs across the state.
Prior to founding the Third Mile Group, she achieved seven years of research, policy work and leadership experience at the Education Commission of the States focusing on school and district leader effectiveness. Anthes holds a Ph.D. in public policy and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Colorado Denver. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Oregon.