2026 Next Up: Leading Forward: Women’s Leadership for What’s Next

Women across higher education are leading through complexity—advocating for students, navigating institutional change, and holding communities together through seasons of uncertainty. This institute is designed to support, strengthen, and elevate that leadership.

Leading Forward brings together women from all roles and career stages to explore what it means to lead with clarity, purpose, and sustainability in today’s rapidly shifting higher ed landscape. Through keynotes, interactive workshops, and intentional networking, participants will gain practical strategies, renewed confidence, and a community of peers who understand the realities of doing this work.

Whether you’re a rising leader, an established manager, or a seasoned professional seeking fresh perspective, Leading Forward offers the space, tools, and community to navigate what’s now and prepare for what’s next.

This year’s institute will explore themes including:

• Sustainable Leadership & Personal Capacity
  How women sustain themselves and their teams amid resource constraints, high demand, and shifting institutional priorities.
• The Language of Business & Strategic Communication
  Tools for translating impact, communicating with senior leaders, and leading with data-informed clarity.
• Leadership Networks & Strategic Relationships
  Building the relationships, mentorships, and sponsorships that fuel career growth and strengthen support systems.
• Influence, Advocacy & Getting the Yes
  Strategies for persuasion, self-advocacy, storytelling, and leading from any seat—even without positional authority.
• Navigating the Current Higher Ed Landscape
  Exploring the political, financial, and cultural currents shaping our work, and how women leaders can adapt while staying grounded in their values.
• Career Advancement & Identity as a Leader
  Growing into your leadership voice, designing your next steps, and leading authentically—especially for women of color and those navigating predominantly white institutions.