2025 Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference

Please stay tuned for slight programming updates in the coming weeks.

Program: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET

The 2025 Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference experience includes:

• a full day of programming from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET with plenary speakers, networking breaks, and concurrent sessions
• Host and Emcee, Laura Schwartz
• Keynote Speaker, Hamza Khan
• a prestigious awardee luncheon celebrating the 2024 Roger W. Jones Awardees
• an evening reception with hors d'oeuvres, libations, and fun activities
• a certificate of attendance for professional development recognition for all attendees

The Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference is a continuing professional development service to Key students, alumni, and the greater public service sector in the DC metropolitan area. Though most of our audience comes from the federal government, some are from private consulting firms and non-profit organizations. This event allows participants to explore industry trends and best leadership practices while celebrating public service and looking toward the future of leadership excellence.
We expect in 2025 an environment that encourages candid exchange will be crucial for engaging in challenging dialogue and hot-topic discussions.

Info: Hamza Khan believes the future of work is more human, not less. He's on a mission to help organizations achieve inclusive and sustainable growth by rehumanizing the workplace. Rather than be reactive to rapidly changing external conditions, Khan shows leaders how to embrace a bold "people first" approach to better support diverse, engaged, and connected teams in a hybrid environment. In doing so, they'll unlock the tremendous upside of a loyal, thriving, and innovative workforce. Rehumanizing workplaces is the winning strategy of the future. As a trusted thought leader, Khan’s insights have been featured by notable media outlets such as Inc., Bloomberg, and Business Insider. He is also the bestselling author of The Burnout Gamble: Achieve More by Beating Burnout and Building Resilience and Leadership, Reinvented. Through his writing, speaking, teaching, and executive coaching, Khan empowers people to evolve and thrive in the future of work.

Info: Join distinguished former congressional leaders and seasoned federal executives for a candid panel discussion on the art of consensus building in Washington's most challenging environments. Drawing from their firsthand experiences on Capitol Hill and across federal agencies, our expert panel will share compelling stories of both challenges and breakthrough moments in bringing diverse stakeholders together. This interactive session offers a rare opportunity to learn from those who've mastered the delicate balance of principle and pragmatism in federal leadership. Come prepared with your questions for these seasoned practitioners of the art of consensus. *This session is sponsored by the Sine Institute

Info: Federal executives face the challenge of balancing complex responsibilities while maintaining influence and driving performance. This session equips leaders with practical tools to cultivate a powerful presence that enhances their ability to lead confidently and communicate effectively under pressure. Attendees will explore how to strengthen emotional self-awareness, develop a clear thought leadership stance, and master communication skills to drive organizational success.
Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, participants will leave with actionable strategies that can be applied in the workplace the very next day. This session addresses the specific needs of federal managers and executives, focusing on practical executive skills that promote clear leadership, build trust, and improve team engagement.

Info: More info coming soon!

Info: Leading people and organizations are too important to leave to chance. This session explores the important elements of leadership. It introduces a leadership framework and provides tools to work effectively within the framework. It helps leaders better understand themselves and their organizations. We will celebrate the important role we play as civil servants in the service of our country and how we can better lead our organization, take care of ourselves and each other, embrace learning, give and receive feedback, and ultimately articulate the legacy you would like to leave.

Info: Delve into the realm of authentic workplace dynamics. Uncover the transformative influence of authenticity on both productivity and organizational culture. Engage in enriching dialogues and illustrative scenarios that will compel participants to embrace amore genuine approach in their interactions, fostering improved communication and heightened collaboration. Gain profound insights into personal and collective motivations through the unique lens of the saboteur, the guardian of your power of choice. Depart empowered not only with the tools to present your "Whole Best Self" but also with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to effect positive change within your professional environment.

Info: All leaders navigate change. Few do it effectively. This session brings together a panel of experts in change management to share actionable ways attendees can inspire their teams even in times of intense change. Panelists will engage with the audience and share tips to navigate specific challenges such as reorganizations, layoffs, project shifts, and culture changes.

Info: This session will help current and emerging leaders prepare and deliver great speeches and presentations.

Info: This interactive session demonstrates how to align competing priorities, measure impact, and institutionalize best practices while strengthening ECQ-based leadership competencies. Ideal for those leading transformation efforts or seeking to enhance their change management capabilities through collaborative leadership approaches.

Info: Lessons from operating a 70-year-old federal laboratory.
This presentation and Q&A will highlight the work we’ve done at Plum Island Animal Disease Center to enable safe and effective operations and encourage the entire workforce to prepare and lean into change. We’ll talk about Plum Island, the changes coming and the uncertainty that led to challenges. I’ll discuss how we tried and struggled to communicate with our team. Following some concerning events, we rebooted our efforts and focused on reconnecting with the mission while guiding our team to a place of agency rather than powerlessness or complacency in the face of change. I’ll focus on efforts at the organizational and individual level to make space for complex emotions and difficult conversations. Organizational change is unique in experience, but I’ve seen reorgs, disasters, pandemics and now am leading this team to a new future – let me share what I’ve seen and how that supports anyone guiding people through change.

Info: Laura Schwartz is all about connection. Whether appearing on your stage or virtually through your screen, she connects to your audience, to your brand, to your objective, to people. As a professional emcee and keynote speaker, Laura motivates and inspires leaders across the globe and all industries, delivering a powerful message to every audience — connecting them with you and your goals to create a lasting impact for your event. Laura was named One of the 100 Most Influential People in Global Events in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Host or Publisher AU Key Executive Leadership Programs