Missouri United School Insurance Council
Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC) is a nonprofit, member-owned insurance pool providing property, casualty, and risk management services to public schools and community colleges across Missouri.
AUDIENCE: Superintendents and education leaders (300 attendees)
LOCATION: Lake Ozark, Missouri
CHALLENGE: MUSIC wanted to equip school superintendents with a motivational message that addressed the emotional and logistical strain of leading public institutions through uncertainty, especially when dealing with risk, safety, and long-term planning.
CARA BROOKINS’ SOLUTION:
45–50 minute keynote: “Rise and Resilience” + Q&A
Delivered at the MUSIC Annual Conference at The Lodge of Four Seasons
Signed 300 books and personalized with notes for attendees
AUDIENCE: superintendents, decision-makers, and district leaders
Coordinated with Anita and Ron Kiehne from Gallagher (ajg.com)
The Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC) supports over 400 public school districts and community colleges across Missouri with comprehensive property and casualty insurance. As a nonprofit, member-owned pool, MUSIC’s mission extends beyond coverage, it’s about promoting safety, lowering costs, and helping schools manage risk with confidence.
At their annual conference, hosted at The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, MUSIC welcomed superintendents and education leaders from across the state for two days of strategy, connection, and leadership development. As these leaders face increasing pressure around student safety, community trust, and budget stewardship, conference organizers wanted a speaker who could address the personal resilience required to lead schools through complexity.
Cara Brookins was invited to present her talk “Rise and Resilience.” In a 45-minute keynote followed by Q&A, Cara shared her journey of overcoming personal adversity, using it as a powerful parallel to the invisible burdens school leaders carry. Her message emphasized resourcefulness, long-term vision, and the ability to rebuild stronger systems even after disruption.
Tailoring her message to the education landscape, Cara addressed how resilience isn’t just a personal trait, it’s an organizational asset that can influence entire school communities. She encouraged superintendents to lead from a place of clarity and courage, even when outcomes aren’t guaranteed. After her presentation, Cara spent several hours signing 300 books and personalized them with notes for attendees.
The session left a lasting impact on attendees, many of whom expressed how the message reminded them why they took on such responsibility in the first place. For organizations in the education, risk management, or public service space, Cara continues to be a standout choice as a keynote speaker who delivers inspiration with both substance and relevance.
