Leadership Retreat for Chief Business Officers
An invitation-only event for executives at research-intensive institutions
Partner Event
Join us at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Join Managing Director Ann Forman Lippens and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer for an intimate gathering of chief business and operations officers from leading research institutions. This closed-door conversation will offer a candid space to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of higher education.
On the first day, participants will unpack how to respond to evolving threats to research-intensive universities and work through ways to prepare for (and shape) potential disruptive futures. On the second day, conversations will shift to academic cost management and program review, with sessions focused specifically on Provost-CBO collaboration strategies and best practices in academic resource allocation.
Event Details
Audience: This session is limited to chief business officers, chief operations officers, and chief finance officers.
For travel planning:Â The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. on October 12 and adjourn at 12:00 p.m. on October 13. EAB will host a dinner for attendees following the first day of presentations. An optional dinner on October 11 will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison for participants who have already arrived.
There is no registration cost associated with this meeting. Space is limited, so please register at your earliest convenience.
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Meeting Location and Hotel Accommodations
Fluno Center
601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53715
877-773-5866 -
Reservations
- $170/Room
- Call 877-773-5866 and mention CBO Leadership Summit for Research-Intensive to access our preferred rate or book online here
- Please reserve by September 11, 2026
Please make your reservation at your earliest convenience, as space and rates are subject to availability. For alternative hotel information, contact us at [email protected].
Agenda
Pre-Event Dinner
UWM will be hosting a pre-event dinner for attendees. Participation is optional.
6:00 p.m.
Dinner at the UW Memorial Union
800 Langdon St., Madison, WI 53706
Day One
10:00 a.m.
Guest Arrival and Registration
10:15 a.m.
Introductions
10:30 a.m.
Unpacking the Threats to Leading Research Universities’ Future
In this opening session, participants will get a preview of EAB’s forthcoming State of the Sector, with a particular emphasis on the latest insights on short- and long-term threats to higher education. Participants will be able to contribute to help shape our research, as well as engage in peer conversation on evaluating the impact of these threats.
12:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch
1:00 p.m.
How Leading Research Universities Should Prepare for Uncertain Futures
EAB will present sector-wind case studies of innovative future-proofing, combined with interactive exercises and dialogue on how to apply these ideas to campus.
2:15 p.m.
Postcards in Future-Proof Investments
Participants will have an opportunity to present their own campus-specific future-proofing investment story, with conversation amongst peers taking place around similar threats and investments.
3:45 p.m.
Travel to UWM’s Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Center
4:00 p.m.
Tour of Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Center
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
Day Two
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Revisiting the Academic Resourcing Playbook: Effective Ways for CBOs to Support Tough Tradeoffs in the Academy
Building off the feedback and observations gathered at EAB 2026 Provost Roundtables and Deans’ Gatherings, participants will engage in a robust conversation around academic resource challenges and prioritization, including portfolio review, faculty workloads, and program outcomes. EAB will help facilitate the conversation with the use of one of our latest data-driven technology platforms.
10:15 a.m.
Collaborating with Academic Leadership on Hard Reforms
Leveraging shared governance, change management, and organizational transformation best practices, participants will engage in reflection and action planning on how to best work with their Provost and Deans to make meaningful progress on the challenging but necessary changes to higher ed’s business model.
12:00 p.m.
Adjournment