UNITED in Leadership

NASSP Managing Director of Leadership Development Robyn Hamasaki. PHOTO COURTESY OF NASSP

At a time of unprecedented challenges and opportunities in education, the role of courageous school leadership has never been more critical. As principals and assistant principals, you carry the immense responsibility of shaping the future of our students, schools, and communities. That’s why NASSP is proud to invite you to our annual National Conference on School Leadership: UNITED, taking place July 11–13 in Seattle. This transformative preK–12 leadership experience is designed to equip, empower, and unite school leaders in their pursuit of excellence.

This year’s conference reflects the second year of our shared commitment with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to bring school leaders together to engage in deep professional learning, build meaningful connections, and develop the skills necessary to drive positive change. Our conference is rooted in NASSP’s North Star: to support and develop courageous leaders who disrupt inequitable systems and ensure that every student has access to the opportunities needed to reach their full potential.

  • Throughout the conference, we will focus on five powerful learning strands: Building Leadership Capacity: Strengthening the knowledge and skills of leaders to create sustainable impact.
  • School Climate, Culture, and Inclusivity: Fostering safe, welcoming, and affirming environments for all students and staff.
  • Instructional Leadership: Elevating teaching and learning practices to drive student success.
  • Whole School Wellness: Prioritizing the well-being of students and educators alike to support holistic growth.
  • Leveraging Student Voice and Agency: Empowering students to take ownership of their learning and leadership.

At UNITED, keynote speakers will share insights to challenge, inspire, and equip you to lead with boldness and purpose:

  • A celebrated entrepreneur and star of Shark Tank, Daymond John will share lessons on resilience, leadership, and innovation that apply directly to school leaders navigating today’s educational complexities.
  • A renowned scholar and advocate for equity-driven instruction, Dr. Gholdy Muhammad will provide a powerful framework for cultivating inclusive and culturally responsive schools.
  • A global leadership expert, John C. Maxwell will offer transformative strategies to elevate leadership effectiveness, personal growth, and team performance.

Beyond the general sessions, our preconference workshops will feature Jimmy Casas, Nancy Frey,
Douglas Fisher, and Jennifer Abrams, providing immersive and practical learning experiences.

A Call for Courageous Leadership

Our core values—making leadership easier for those we serve, empowering both school and student leaders, honoring lived experiences, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and maintaining a solution-oriented mindset—will be interwoven throughout this conference experience. UNITED is more than just an event; it is a movement toward bolder, more courageous leadership that meets the urgent demands of today’s schools.

The future of education depends on strong, inspired, and connected leaders. UNITED is an opportunity to step away from the daily demands of your school and invest in your professional growth, knowing that the impact of this experience will reverberate across your community.

The stakes have never been higher, and the need for transformational leadership has never been greater. Join us in Seattle and be part of the movement to redefine school leadership for the future. We’ll see you there!

Learn more at theunitedconference.org.

Robyn Hamasaki is the managing director of leadership development at NASSP and a former preK–8 principal.