Leadership Summit 2026 | September 14 – 16
The Westin Riverwalk | San Antonio, Texas
Leadership Summit 2026 is an intensive, action-oriented gathering where nonprofit leaders come together to strengthen themselves, their teams, and their sector. Over two powerful days — plus a grounding kick-off afternoon — you’ll work alongside peers to build the leadership clarity, influence, and collective momentum needed to navigate one of the most complex moments in nonprofit history.
Attendance is restricted to TNPA members and invited guests, with seating capped at 170. Designed for senior leaders with 15+ years of experience, C-suite or Vice President titles (or equivalent), or other distinguishing experience as a sector change-maker, the Summit brings together leaders from both nonprofit organizations and the consulting firms that work alongside them — a blend of perspectives, resources, and influence that represents the best of nonprofit sector changemakers.
What to Expect:
A ME | WE | COMMUNITY leadership framework woven throughout every session — from personal renewal to sector-wide impact
A keynote-workshop experience with Alyson Van Hooser on building infinite influence in the modern nonprofit workforce
Research-grounded sessions featuring the latest findings and a candid panel conversation on the nonprofit generosity narrative
Facilitated roundtables and workshops where you’ll tap the expertise in the room and leave with actionable strategies
Networking opportunities with 170 influential nonprofit leaders — including a welcome reception on arrival, a Riverwalk dinner, and built-in connection time throughout
Your Impact:
- Return to your organization grounded, energized, and equipped with immediately actionable leadership strategies
- Contribute to peer-driven conversations that shape sector-wide thinking on trust, influence, and resilience
- Build relationships with 170 senior nonprofit leaders committed to collective progress
- Leave with a personal leadership charter, a vision for your next chapter, and a network ready to support it
Your Experience, Day by Day:
Monday — Arrive and ground yourself. The Summit opens with a facilitated kick-off session designed to reconnect you with your leadership identity before the work begins. The evening welcomes you to San Antonio with a networking reception.
Tuesday — The full day begins with Shannon McCracken’s opening remarks on the state of leadership in our sector, followed by Alyson Van Hooser’s keynote on influence, impact, and the future of nonprofit leadership. The afternoon moves into peer-driven roundtables, a session on building the next generation of nonprofit leaders, and a forward-looking conversation on AI and clarity in a complex world. The day closes with unstructured networking time over cocktails and dinner on the Riverwalk.
Wednesday — The final morning opens with the latest sector research, followed by a high-powered panel on the nonprofit generosity narrative featuring the CEOs of frontline sector infrastructure organizations. The Summit closes with a collaborative workshop and wrap-up session.
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a working summit where your expertise, your story, and your commitment to the sector will directly shape what’s possible. Come ready to reflect, connect, and lead.
Registration Rates
Nonprofit Member – $525
Nonprofit Non-Member – $685
Corporate Member* – $945
Corporate Non-Member – Not Available
*Corporate attendance is limited to TNPA Member Companies and two attendee per company. This allows for greater diversity of participation. Some 2026 Leadership Programming Sponsors receive additional attendee seats. Questions? Ask Dominika Brice dbrice@tnpa.org
More About our Programming
Presenting our 2026 Keynote Speaker:
Alyson Van Hooser
As President & CEO of Van Hooser Associates, Inc., and a trusted authority on effective leadership, Alyson draws from a wealth of experience—managing teams at Walmart, leading in the financial industry, serving as an elected city council member at just 26, and working extensively in leadership training and executive coaching across industries. She connects authentically with the challenges leaders face today by working directly with clients across the country—from boards and executives to frontline employees. By uncovering what truly works in leadership, she brings those hard-earned insights straight to her audience—so they don’t have to learn the hard way.
Tough beginnings taught Alyson the radical power of an ownership mindset–one that transforms the trajectory of your life and helps you achieve audacious goals in business. Alyson’s work reveals future-proof, practical, immediately actionable, strategies for captivating, connecting, and compelling people to move forward with you, whether it be customers or team members! Her results-obsessed inspiration guides people at all stages of their careers to make practical changes that drive real-life changing results!
What Summit Attendees Are Saying
“It didn’t feel like an industry event, it felt like a large committee gathered to tackle a problem.”
“High-level, strategic thinking approach to all the sessions. It wasn’t the normal ‘how to implement xyz,’
but more ‘how do we transform our industry for the better.’ This was exciting!”
“The configuration, with a great mix of partners and nonprofits, brought together in a small group setting was amazing for networking and group discussion.”
“Inspiring, thoughtful, and engaging.”
“Love the high-level discussions and camaraderie in the room.”
“Engaging and innovative.”
“The culture of the event is really wonderful. I feel like we check our business card at the door and work as a group.”
“The event was a breath of fresh air.”
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Code of Conduct
The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA) exists to foster the development and growth of nonprofit organizations and to protect the donors, members, partners, and volunteers that support them. At all educational offerings and conferences, we commit to fostering an environment free from physical, emotional, and psychological harm. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or intimidation of any form. All individuals must exhibit professionalism, must demonstrate respect for others, must act with civility, and must refrain from inappropriate and unwelcomed physical contact, sexual references, and aggressive advances.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses a violation to these standards, should immediately contact TNPA CEO Shannon McCracken. Anyone found in violation of the TNPA Code of Conduct by any means may receive a warning, have membership suspended, registration forfeited, or experience escalation to legal authorities.
Cancellation Policy
Full refunds will be available to cancellations emailed to The Nonprofit Alliance 30 business days or more prior to the start of the event minus a $50.00 processing fee.
No refunds will be issued 29 days before the first day of the event.
Registrants failing to attend the event will not be eligible for a refund.
Substitution of registration is permitted up until two weeks before the event with written consent. Any substitution must be of the same type (Member for Member, Nonprofit for Nonprofit, Commercial for Commercial). The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations.
If the event is canceled by The Nonprofit Alliance for any reason, registrants will receive a full refund for registration fees, or said registration fees can be credited to a future program. However, The Nonprofit Alliance cannot and does not assume responsibility for any other expenses, including the purchase of airline tickets, incurred by the registrant in connection with attending the event.
Hotel reservations will need to be cancelled directly through the Hotel unless otherwise communicated.
All applicable refunds will be issued following the close of the event. A refund will be returned in the original purchase format. If paying with a credit card, a refund will take an additional 10 business days to post to your account.
Site Selection Policy
The Nonprofit Alliance and The Nonprofit Alliance Foundation (collectively, TNPA) are committed to fostering effective networking, professional development, and advocacy among its members through conferences and other events. To view our site selection policy click here.
