January 30-31, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

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The NSBA Leadership Seminar was established to focus on state association leadership topics and leadership core competencies. The program provides opportunities for personal leadership style exploration and introspection as well as skill-building.

This opportunity to convene with peers from across the country to re-examine the impact of your leadership combined with the opportunity for valuable regional networking makes the 2026 Leadership Seminar a can't miss event!  We are looking forward to a unique program that will allow you to explore leadership concepts and skills tied to organizational collaboration, shared vision, and innovation.

Keynote Speakers

Tonia Wellons

President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation

Tonia Wellons is the President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the largest public foundation in the Greater Washington region. Under her leadership, The Community Foundation launched a bold 10-year strategic vision to help close the region’s racial wealth gap by directing capital, strengthening civic and philanthropic infrastructure, and centering economic justice.

 

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Tim Wise

Author and Speaker on Perspective, Power, and Institutional Culture

Tim Wise is one of the country’s most compelling voices on culture, politics, and power, bringing three decades of experience to some of the most urgent issues of our time. A gifted storyteller and sharp strategist, he helps audiences understand how we got here, what’s at stake, and how to move forward with clarity, courage, and purpose.

 

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Schedule-at-a-Glance (As of Jan. 12, 2026)

All dates and times are subject to change.

Thursday, Jan. 29

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Board Meeting 

4 – 5:15 p.m. 

Constitution & Bylaws 

Friday, Jan. 30

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Registration 

8 a.m. – Noon 

Beliefs & Resolutions 

8:15 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

National Nominating Committee 

10 a.m. – Noon 

Off-Site Option 

American Dream Experience | MCAAD 

1:30 – 2:45 p.m

Opening General Session

2:45 – 4:00 p.m. 

Facilitated Leadership Workshop 1

4:15 – 5:30 p.m. 

Facilitated Leadership Workshop 2 

Saturday, Jan. 31

7:30 a.m. –  5 p.m.  

Registration 

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. 

Work-a-Like Networking Breakfast

10:45 – 12:15 p.m. 

Facilitated Workshop 

12:15– 1:15 p.m. 

 

 

Networking Luncheon 

1:30 – 3 p.m. 

Facilitated Leadership Workshop 

3:15 – 4:15 p.m. 

Closing Keynote 

4:15 – 5:30 p.m. 

Leadership Reception 

Programming

Friday, Jan. 30

10 a.m. – Noon 

American Dream Experience (NSBA will provide tickets) 

At the American Dream Experience, you’ll explore interactive exhibits that connect big ideas to everyday life: education, health, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment. These are the tools that help you take ownership of your future. We’re unapologetically optimistic about what’s possible when you have access and opportunity. Come curious. Leave inspired.  

Tickets will be sent to all Leadership Seminar attendees prior to the event.

Attendees going to this event will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the American Dream Experience

1503 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. 

Opening General Session - Keynote Presentation & Fireside Chat: Leadership in Moments That Matter: Navigating Crisis, Transition, and Turbulent Times 

In moments of disruption, transition, and polarization, nonprofit leaders are called to lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. In this keynote and fireside chat, Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, reflects on her leadership journey, including stepping into the CEO role in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and guiding her organization through multiple crises, political shifts, and periods of uncertainty. 

 

Drawing on real-world experience, Tonia will explore what it takes to lead during times of change, build and sustain trust with boards and partners, advance ambitious fundraising goals, and navigate the balance between being what it means to be nonpartisan but not neutral — leading with values, clarity, and a point of view rooted in equity and community well-being, even in a polarized environment. The session will conclude with a fireside chat with Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, offering deeper insight into leadership, resilience, and staying anchored to mission when the stakes are high. 

Tonia Wellons 

President & CEO — Greater Washington Community Foundation 

2:45 – 4:00 p.m. 

Facilitated Leadership Workshop 1 — Civic Leadership Through Conflict and Polarization 

The need for civics has never been clearer. As a result, public support for civics is overwhelming; bipartisan momentum is growing in the states; and communities are hungry for something that brings us together rather than drives us apart. How will state school boards associations respond in this moment? This session will provide hyper-focused, advanced messaging to professional leaders seeking to support their members during this challenging political climate. It will address how associations can proactively drive their work forward and support their members in political climates. This session will also delve into the appropriate role of school boards in centering civic education, the benefits that school districts will enjoy when civic learning is elevated to the same foundational level as other core disciplines, and tangible ways in which school boards can reaffirm civic learning. The facilitator will provide resources for leaders to support members who wish to reaffirm their civic learning. 

Mya Baker 

Chief Learning Services Officer — iCivics 

4:15 – 5:30 p.m. 

Facilitated Leadership Workshop 2 — Understanding the Federal Landscape: How Policy Is Shaped, Made, and Implemented

Federal education policymaking is unfolding amid significant political shifts, administrative restructuring, and competing visions for the future of public schooling. This session provides a comprehensive overview of how federal policy is shaped and made — from agenda-setting and legislative action to regulatory processes, agency rulemaking, and appropriations. Participants will gain insight into the dynamics that influence policy outcomes, including partisan priorities, inter-agency coordination, stakeholder advocacy, administrative authorities, and congressional oversight.

Through an examination of current federal developments, attendees will explore:

 

  • How federal agencies, Congress, and the White House each drive (and constrain) policymaking.
  • The growing role of administrative actions — such as executive orders, intra-agency agreements, and negotiated rulemaking — in shaping the education landscape.
  • Key factors that influence policy trajectories, including political polarization, budgetary pressures, public opinion, and advocacy coalitions.
  • The implications of federal policy for state and local governance, district operations, and school board decision-making.

 

By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the federal ecosystem, the levers that shape policy outcomes, and how education leaders can proactively engage to influence federal decisions that impact students, educators, and communities. This session is designed to equip practitioners, policymakers, and advocates with the knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing policy environment.

 

Dr. Phelton Moss

Managing Director, Government Relations — National School Boards Association

Saturday, Jan. 31

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. 

Work-A-Like Networking Breakfast 

Work-A-Like sessions begin at 9 a.m.

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 

Facilitated Leadership Workshop 3 — AI for Impact: A Strategic Roadmap for Association Leaders

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping organizational operations, and nonprofit association leaders are facing a pivotal moment: determining how to harness AI strategically, responsibly, and in service of their mission. This workshop, led by the National Artificial Intelligence Academy (NAIA), is designed specifically for leadership teams from state school boards associations who want to move beyond the hype and build a clear, confident understanding of what AI means for their work, their members, and their long-term organizational strategy. The session frames AI not as a technical challenge but as a leadership opportunity. One that requires clarity, alignment, and thoughtful decision-making rather than deep technical expertise.

 

Through an engaging mix of discussion, reflection, and collaborative exploration, participants will examine how AI can strengthen their organizational capacity, support staff effectiveness, enhance member value, and position their association for the future. The workshop emphasizes practical, mission-driven leadership, helping teams identify where to begin, how to build readiness across their organization, and how to approach AI with both curiosity and responsible governance. Leaders will leave with shared understanding, direction, and renewed confidence in guiding their organization forward in the age of AI.

 

Ricky Gooch

CEO — National AI Academy (NAIA)

 

Colleen Sasser

VP AI Solutions – National AI Academy (NAIA)

12:15– 1:15 p.m. 

Networking Luncheon 

1:30 – 3 p.m. 

Work-A-Like Professional Development Session: Sustainable Leadership: Creating Balance, Focus, and Organizational Clarity

Leading an association demands balance in advancing a mission-driven agenda while managing complex operations, member expectations, and public pressures. This interactive workshop invites participants to step back, reflect, and intentionally design systems for sustainable leadership. Participants will explore practical strategies to prevent burnout, strengthen organizational clarity, and align their team’s work with shared purpose and values.

Through guided reflection, team discussion, and structured planning time, participants will:

·       Examine the root causes of leadership burnout in nonprofit and education association settings.

·       Identify organizational practices that promote well-being, clarity, and mission alignment.

·       Develop a customized sustainability plan that supports both individual resilience and collective effectiveness.

 

Teams will leave with actionable next steps to cultivate healthy, high-performing organizations, where leaders can thrive and lead with renewed focus and clarity.

Presenters TBD

3:15 – 4:15 p.m. 

Closing Keynote Presentation 

Leading with Clarity: What It Takes to Move People and Institutions in Uncertain Times  

Tim Wise explores what authentic leadership looks like in moments of conflict, fear, and political retreat. Through story and strategy, he offers tools for building trust, navigating backlash, and staying grounded in shared values while advancing institutional change.  

 

Tim Wise 

Author and Speaker on Perspective, Power, and Institutional Culture 

4:15 – 5:30 p.m. 

Leadership Reception 

Registration Fees

For Leadership Seminar Only $400
Bundle (Leadership Seminar + NSBA's Advocacy & Equity Institute) $990

Event Information

Headquarter Hotel: Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
901 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001

You must be registered for the conference before you can reserve housing in the NSBA hotel block. NSBA has negotiated a special rate for conference attendees. Booking information will be provided in the registration confirmation email. All reservations should be made before Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Room availability and conference rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Taxicabs & Ride Sharing
Taxicabs and Ride Sharing, such as Uber and Lyft offer transportation services to passengers arriving to and departing from the airport. Download the ride sharing app of your choice and book in advance to ensure availability. Approximate rates for taxicabs and ridesharing from the nearest airports can be found below.


DC Metro System
DC Metro System serves the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. The Mt Vernon Sq./7th St-Convention Center Station on the Green and Yellow Lines is the closest (0.2 miles) Metro Station to the hotel.

Hotel Parking
Valet parking is available at the Marriott Marquis DC hotel at $65 per day.

In the event of a cancellation, you may transfer your registration to another member of your team by Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Simply email memberservices@nsba.org with the name of the registrant and the individual being substituted.  

Requests for refunds will be honored only if made in writing to NSBA by Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, and will be subject to a $150 cancellation fee per registrant. After that date, no refund will be issued, however, you may still transfer your registration to another district participant. 

Exceptions to the cancellation policy for medical emergencies or other significant unforeseen events may be considered. Requests must be submitted in writing to memberservices@nsba.org with appropriate supporting documentation for review. 

Please feel free to contact our registration team at memberservices@nsba.org with any questions you may have about your Advocacy & Equity Institute registration.