Go ahead.
Put it on the calendar.
We’re saving your seat.
Rooted in purpose. Surrounded by peers. Join us this September 23-25 in New Orleans.
Hilton new orleans riverside
september 23-25, 2026
new orleans, louisiana
The summit women in K-12 leadership keep telling each other about.
Every year, 200 women in K-12 leadership spend three days together in one place. Focused conversations with cabinet-level peers who carry what you carry, lead the way you lead, and don’t need a warm-up to get into it.
This year, Leadhership is Rooted In systems, people, culture, and self. Four areas at the center of what it means to lead a district right now. Focus groups, peer workshops, and panels built around conversations you’re already having, in a setting that gives them room to actually go somewhere.
All inclusive registration
Hotel. Meals. Summit.
One Price.
Your registration covers everything. Hotel stay, event access, and all meals are included. No itemized surprises, nothing extra to sort out with your district later.
two nights
$1920
three nights
$2160
dali members
Exclusive member pricing available
Log in at registration to access your member rate. Not a DALI member yet? Learn more about DALI membership
hear it from them
Hear from the women who keep coming back.
Once you’ve been in a room where every woman understands exactly what you carry — you stop wondering whether to go back. You just go.
2026 rooted in purpose
Four areas at the center of what it means to lead a district right now.
Systems
The structures you lead within, and the ones you’re building to outlast your tenure.
Community
Recruiting, retaining, and developing the leaders your district needs.
Outcomes
What it actually feels like to work in your district, and how you shape it intentionally.
Purpose
Sustaining the energy, clarity, and confidence that makes all the other work possible.
Sign up today before seats are full!
Meet our Featured Speakers
Dr. Fateama Fulmore
Dr. Fateama S. Fulmore is superintendent of NOLA Public Schools, bringing more than two decades of PK-12 leadership experience across districts in Philadelphia, Omaha, and North Carolina. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a doctorate in Leadership of PK-12 Schools and Districts and is known for a student-first approach to educational excellence.
Dr. Carmen Balgobin
Dr. Balgobin leads one of Florida’s largest districts, serving more than 65,000 students. Named DALI’s 2026 Woman of the Year, she joins us in New Orleans to be recognized and to add her voice to the conversation. The kind of leader who makes you want to lead better — and the kind of peer this community is built around.
Dr. Melissa Balknight
Dr. Melissa Balknight is Deputy Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Over 30 years in public education, she’s overseen district operations and helped guide CMS to historic gains in academic growth, graduation rates, and career and technical education.
Leadhership Summit Facilitators
Amy Dujon
Vice president of education
Arc Network
Dr. Kristin Brown
SUPERINTENDENT
Lake Dallas Independent School District
Dr. Candice Castillo
Deputy Director of academics
Oregon Department of Education
Dr. Keri Johnson
Superintendent
Pelham City Schools
Dr. Miatheresa Pate
Chief Academic Officer
New York City Public Schools
Dr. Atiya Perkins
superintnendent
Linden Public Schools
Dr. Colleen Timm
Chief of schools
Lee County Schools
Dr. Kimberly Vaught
Chief Academic performance officer
Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District
in her words
Hear from the women who keep coming back.
Once you’ve been in a room where every woman understands exactly what you carry — you stop wondering whether to go back. You just go.
Attendance is limited to 200 (on purpose).
This isn’t some marketing gimmick; it’s the secret sauce that makes the magic happen. Small, focused peer workshops? Check. Deep, unfiltered conversations that actually go somewhere? Absolutely.
The women who’ve been here before? They keep coming back for a reason. This is where connections turn into collaborations, and every voice is heard.
Built for women leading at the executive level
This summit is for women in senior, system-level roles. The conversations work because everyone in the room is leading at a comparable level of complexity — no one needs context, no one needs to explain themselves.
the venue
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Perched along the iconic Mississippi River, between the vibrant French Quarter and the serene riverfront, this spot is pure magic. By day, it’s all about deep, focused conversations that spark ideas. By night, it’s your haven for real, soul-filling rejuvenation. You’ll head back to your role fired up with fresh perspective—because let’s be real, no one has time for trips that leave you more drained than when you arrived.
Partners supporting the Leadhership summit
The Leadhership Network for Women Summit is supported by organizations that share a commitment to advancing leadership, equity, and excellence across education. These partners play a meaningful role in creating space for thoughtful dialogue, innovation, and collaboration among women leaders.
Partner with Us
The Leadhership Summit is supported by organizations that share a commitment to advancing leadership, equity, and excellence across education. These partners play a meaningful role in creating space for thoughtful dialogue, innovation, and collaboration among women leaders.
We’re saving your seat in New Orleans
We’ve got a seat with your name on it—but not for long. These 200 spots are going fast, and you and your work bestie need to be here. This is your chance to level up, laugh hard, and leave inspired. Don’t wait—secure your spot before someone else snags it!