The 36^th annual Association of Leadership Educators Conference will provide a platform for educators, practitioners, students and thought leaders engage in insightful discussions, share best practices and build community around leadership education for a complex world.

Philadelphia is known as the "City of Firsts” and throughout 2026 the city will be celebrating the places, innovations, and moments that took root there. We are playing on that nickname for this year’s theme, From Firsts to Forward: Imagining Leadership for a New Era, and calling on leadership educators to come together and shape the future of leadership.

In a world that demands creativity, collaboration, and connectivity, we invite you to present your ideas and research in a forward-thinking leadership space that aims to elevate voice, foster innovation, and inspire action. Together, we will explore new possibilities, challenge assumptions, and co-create pathways for leadership that reflect the needs of tomorrow.

Come ready to connect, imagine, and lead forward.