2026 Executive Director / Board Chair Symposium
A strong partnership between a Community Action Agency’s Executive Director and Board Chair is essential to how an organization functions, makes decisions, and delivers results for people and communities.
The Executive Director / Board Chair Symposium is designed for leadership pairs to step out of day-to-day demands and focus on how they work together. Over 1.5 days, you will engage in shared learning, planning, and peer exchange to strengthen alignment, clarify roles, and build a more effective working relationship.
What You Will Work On:
- Clarifying Roles and Leading Together: Define how the Executive Director and Board Chair operate as a leadership pair, with clear, supportive roles, shared responsibility, and aligned expectations.
- Governance, Decision-Making, and Financial Oversight: Clarify how decisions are made, how the board operates in practice, and how you support accountability and sound financial stewardship.
- Aligning Direction and Organizational Priorities: Work together to set direction, stay focused on what matters, and ensure leadership is aligned around priorities and results.
- Building an Effective Working Relationship: Strengthen communication, trust, and ways of working together that support consistency and reduce friction.
- Planning, Action, and Peer Learning: Use dedicated time to reflect, align, and identify next steps, while learning from other leadership pairs navigating similar challenges.
Who Should Attend: Executive Directors/CEOs and Board Chairs/Presidents attending together as a leadership pair from the same Community Action Agency.
Agenda: Coming soon!
Dates: June 25 (8:30am – 5pm) – June 26 (8:30am – 12:30pm)
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC – Crystal City (300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, US)
Hotel: A room block is available at the DoubleTree by Hilton Crystal City. Reserve by May 15.
Fees:
- Members: $999 (registration includes both ED/CEO and Board Chair)
- Non-Members: $1299 (registration includes both ED/CEO and Board Chair)
Registration is for both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair/President. Both participants attend together as part of the full Symposium experience.
Are you new to your Executive Director / CEO role? Check out the New Executive Director Institute being held at the same location on June 23rd & 24th! Register for both to receive a $50 discount off each registration fee! More information available here.