Association Leadership Institute

Orchestrate Excellence in ALA Leadership!

We are excited for this unique event that brings together the ALA Board of Directors, ALA Leadership Group Chairs, and ALA staff for a leadership focused weekend in Chicago.  The 2026 event will be hosted at the Loews Hotel Chicago O'Hare.

Session Materials and Agenda

2026 Attendee List                                            ALI Playlists

 

Friday, February 27

*Breakfast, lunch and all sessions will take place in the Montrose Room at the Loews Hotel.
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.(Blueberries For) Breakfast 
9:00 - 9:30 a.m....Ready For It?  Welcome and Introductions: Elyssa A. Goldstein, CLM, PHR, SHRM-CP
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.Keynote Speaker - The Culture Multiplier: Danny Goldberg
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.Break
10:45 - Noon

Fantastic Voyage: ALA Mission, Strategic Direction and Volunteer Structure Updates: Elyssa A. Goldstein, CLM, PHR, SHRM-CP and Jessica L. VanTroost

    Noon - 1 p.m.Lunch
    1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

    Happy Together: Team Building (facilitated by Danny Goldberg)

    2:00 - 2:15 p.m.Break
    2:15 - 4:00 p.m.

    • Playin’ by the Rules: Governance Policies and Reminders: Daniel P. Atcheson

    • Lean on Me: Volunteer Handbook highlights: Angelina Angelov, CLM, MBA and Carrie Valenzuela, MBA

    • I’ll Be There for You: The Role of Each Position: Rose A. Jaworecki and Shirley Laboy 

    • The Distance: Charters and Plans of Work: Amanda R. Koplos, CLM, CPA and Kelli Taylor Sanders, CLM, MSLA

    • Sweet Harmony: Productive and Positive Meetings: Ken Koehn, CLM, CPA, CMA and Melissa Hirst, MSLA

    • ALI 2026 Day 1 PM Session Materials

    4:00 - 4:15 p.m.Break
    4:15 - 6:00 p.m.

    Together Again: Collaborative Session

    6:00 p.m.Dinner in the Upper Ashburn - Loews Hotel (this is the private seating area within the hotel restaurant)


    Saturday, February 28

    8:30 - 9:00 a.m.Breakfast (at Tiffany's)
    9:00 - 9:15 a.m.Return of the Mack: Elyssa A. Goldstein, CLM, PHR, SHRM-CP
    9:15 - 10:45 a.m.

    Under Pressure? HQ’s Got You! - ALI 2026 Day 2 AM Session Materials

    • Right Here, Right Now: Updates from HQ : Eryn Carter, CAE
    • Message in a Bottle: ALA Demographics, Member Segmentation and/or Member Gamification, Online Communities: Mike Donovan and the Membership Team
    • Takin’ Care of Business: Business Partner Relations: Fred Ullman
    • Express Yourself: The ALA Brand: Sean N. Heinekamp and the MarComm Team
    10:45 - 11:00 a.m.Break
    11:00 - 12:30 p.m.

    Give a Little Bit: Group Collaboration

    12:30 - 1:15 p.m.Lunch
    1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

    • Put a Little Love in Your Heart: Foundation of ALA: Frederick J. Esposito, Jr., CLM, MBA 

    • Party in the ALA: Maximizing your role: Laila Sanousi, CLM and Travis C. Armstrong, CLM, CPA

    • Don’t Stop Believin’: Identifying future leaders and promoting volunteer opportunities: Lisa A. Waligorski, CLM, PHRca, SPHR

    • Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Providing Valuable Feedback: Terri D. Moore-Natal, SPHR 

    • ALI 2026 Day 2 PM Session Materials

     

    3:00 - 3:15 p.m.Closing Time: Next Steps: Elyssa A. Goldstein, CLM, PHR, SHRM-CP
    3:15 pmLegal Management Podcast Taping


    Questions About the Association Leadership Institute? 

    Direct your questions to [email protected]

    Helpful Links

    To access closed captioning and session notes for each session, scan this QR code:


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