2026 NAIS Leading Assistant Institute

  • Executive Assistants
  • Professional, Staff, and Team Development

About the Event

Elevate your administrative expertise at the premier professional development opportunity designed for executive assistants and assistants to heads in independent schools. Join colleagues from across the United States for two days of skill-building, strategic learning, and meaningful networking. The NAIS Leading Assistant Institute is part of the Leading Your Growth track of the NAIS Leadership Academy.

Register Now
Date / Time
April 23-24, 2026
Location

NAIS Headquarters, Washington, DC

Program Overview

This comprehensive institute empowers you to enhance your professional capabilities while building lasting connections with peers who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of supporting leadership in independent school environments. Embark on your professional development journey on Administrative Professionals Day (April 22), the day that celebrates your vital contributions to organizational success.

Topics Covered

  • Master the intricacies of board support, meeting coordination, and confidential communications that drive institutional effectiveness. 

  • Keep current with emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of independent education. 

  • Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline your workflow, enhance productivity, and create new possibilities for strategic support. 

  • Develop advanced skills in professional correspondence, stakeholder engagement, and diplomatic communication across all organizational levels. 

  • Learn to anticipate needs, manage complex projects, and provide executive-level assistance that advances institutional goals. 

  • Create an actionable plan for career advancement that aligns personal development with organizational objectives. 

Audience

The NAIS Leading Assistant Institute is designed for executive assistants, chiefs of staff, and assistants to heads of schools.   

Outcomes

Join us in Washington, DC, where professional growth meets meaningful collaboration. The NAIS Leading Assistant Institute represents an investment in both your career and the continued excellence of independent school administration nationwide. 

  • Refresh...

    ...your foundational skills with cutting-edge best practices.

  • Refine...

    ...your approach to complex administrative challenges.

  • Elevate...

    ...your strategic thinking and professional impact.

  • Connect...

    ...with a nationwide network of accomplished peers.

2026 Faculty

  • Debra P. Wilson

    President
    NAIS

  • Erica Zematis

    Special Assistant to the President’s Office
    NAIS

  • Evan Harris

    President
    Pathos Consulting Group

  • Brenna Foley

    Research Analyst
    NAIS

  • Shannon Spaeder

    Senior Communications Strategist
    NAIS

Registration Information

Registration prices include a day and a half of programming, with breakfast and lunch on both program days.  

*Contact us for more information about the benefits of NAIS membership, including discounted event pricing.  

REGISTER NOW!

Registration Type
Early-Bird Pricing (Through 1/16/26)
Standard Pricing (On or After 1/17/26)
Member Price*
$950
$1,200
Nonmember Price
$1,375
$1,525
  • Registration Type
    Member Price*
  • Early-Bird Pricing (Through 1/16/26)
    $950
  • Standard Pricing (On or After 1/17/26)
    $1,200
  • Registration Type
    Nonmember Price
  • Early-Bird Pricing (Through 1/16/26)
    $1,375
  • Standard Pricing (On or After 1/17/26)
    $1,525

Hotel Accommodations

NAIS has reserved a block of rooms at the St. Gregory Hotel. Within the next few weeks, we will email registrants with a link for booking. Please wait until you receive that link to book your room so you can access our discounted rate. As a reminder, the program takes place at NAIS Headquarters, within walking distance from the hotel.

Schedule

The program begins at 9:00 AM ET, April 23, and concludes at 1:30 PM ET, April 24. Watch for a more detailed schedule coming soon. Sessions will include The Trusted Liaison: Bridging Leadership and Governance; Thinking Like a Leader: High-impact Support That Anticipates and Delivers; Beyond the To-Do List: Strategic Goal Setting; AI Advantage: Maximizing Benefits While Minimizing Risks; Research-Based Insights on Trends in the Profession and in Independent Schools; and Clear, Confident, Connected: The Executive Assistant's Communication Playbook.

Contact Information and Cancellation Policy

Please contact institutes@nais.org or 202-973-9700 with any questions.  

Cancellations must be received in writing at institutes@nais.org. Cancellations received up to 30 days (March 24, 2026) before the program's start date will be fully refunded, less a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received fewer than 30 days prior to the program will not be refunded.