Parent Engagement | April 2025 | Smithville, MO

• 4:30 - 7:15 PM, Apr 2, 2025 Herzog Foundation | 105 NW 188th St. Smithville, MO 64089

  Event Begins: Opening Sessions

Dr. W. Davies Owens

As a speaker, teacher, leader, and serial entrepreneur, Davies has enjoyed the privilege of connecting with school leaders, parents, and students for more than three decades.

His primary goal is to assist parents and schools in building confidence, clarity, and renewed enthusiasm as educators. Throughout his career, Davies has always been fascinated by the intersection of media, ministry, and education. With over two decades of experience in classical Christian school leadership, along with teaching and training leaders on a national scale, Davies has honed proven strategies and solutions to help them thrive.

Davies has also thoroughly enjoyed leading from behind the microphone. From his early undergraduate years at Furman University, hosting a Christian radio show called “Against The Grain” to the current BaseCamp Live podcast, now in its 7th year and one of the most highly regarded and listened to podcast in the education movement.

Davies earned his M.Div. at Duke Divinity School and a doctorate at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, focusing on online interaction to build interactive deep community.

• 4:30 - 7:15 PM, Apr 2, 2025 Herzog Foundation | 105 NW 188th St. Smithville, MO 64089

  Event Begins: Opening Sessions

Sadie Elliott

Training Director

Herzog Foundation

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Curating human experiences that drive learning and growth as Training Director at the Herzog Foundation. Traveler, auntie, daughter of the King.

Sadie is passionate about developing leaders who steward both people and operational excellence well. After beginning her career in non-profit management, she developed a passion for organizational effectiveness and went on to pursue an MBA in International Management from ESCP Europe. As Training Director at the Herzog Foundation, she now has the privilege of leading a team to produce the Foundation’s leadership development efforts.

As a proud alumna of The King’s College in New York City, Sadie possess a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics with a minor in International Development. While living in New York City, Sadie led the college’s City Engagement efforts to partner with non-profit ministries across NYC in serving local communities. Directly out of college Sadie catalyzed The Global Orphan Project’s grants efforts as a subset of their Development Team. Working on a small team with limited resources, she and the team set a goal of generating $1 million within the first year of developing foundation relations. Together, they reached $1.3 million of grant funding within 13 months for educational projects in Haiti, agricultural programs in Africa, technology initiatives in the US, and refugee care in the Middle East.

Sadie later went onto lead marketing and development efforts for her alma mater, Northland Christian Education System where her love and appreciation for Christian education grew. She went on to complete her MBA at ESCP Europe where she lived and worked in London, England, and Paris, France. After completing her MBA, she was recruited by the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation to help launch their charitable initiatives. The Herzog Foundation’s mission is to catalyze and accelerate the development of quality Christ-centered education so that families and culture flourish. Sadie has had the privilege of assisting in the launch of the Foundation’s grant making program, school startup program, and leadership development program.

As Training Director, she has the privilege to combine her experience in Christian education and the broader non-profit sector with her passion for savvy business acumen and strong leadership. She facilitates experts and practitioners to create best in class adult learning experiences on Donor Development, Marketing and Enrollment, Strategic Planning, Culture Building and People Management, Succession Planning, and Board Leadership.

• 4:30 - 7:15 PM, Apr 2, 2025 Herzog Foundation | 105 NW 188th St. Smithville, MO 64089

  Event Begins: Opening Sessions

Justin Smith

Head of School, President | Little Rock Christian Academy

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• 4:30 - 7:15 PM, Apr 2, 2025 Herzog Foundation | 105 NW 188th St. Smithville, MO 64089

  Event Begins: Opening Sessions

• 4:30 - 7:15 PM, Apr 2, 2025 Herzog Foundation | 105 NW 188th St. Smithville, MO 64089

  Event Begins: Opening Sessions

Noah Brink

Director, Renew Education

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Noah is the Founding Director of Renew Education, a non-profit ministry, based in St. Louis. An alumnus of Christian education, Noah has also worked in Christian education for 24 years as a teacher, coach, and Head of School. Noah is a graduate of Wheaton College, and has graduate degrees from Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, Covenant College, and Middlebury College. Noah's first book is on Christian education, called "Jesus Above School." Noah and his wife have three young children; they all love hiking together and watching sports.

• 4:30 - 7:15 PM, Apr 2, 2025 Herzog Foundation | 105 NW 188th St. Smithville, MO 64089

  Event Begins: Opening Sessions