2026 Emerging Leaders
SMART & SMACNA are inviting Emerging Leaders back to Partners in Progress in 2026!
Eligibility:
- Emerging Leaders are anyone early in their career, demonstrating exceptional motivation, drive, and initiative to take on leadership responsibilities.
- Must have at least one or more current representative(s) from the local area or chapter registered to attend the Conference.
Local areas are invited to send two new Emerging Leaders from their area—one nominated by the union and another by the chapter—in addition to any returning Emerging Leaders who meet the requirements above.
Leadership is learned. It grows through the ability to communicate with purpose, inspire trust, and unite people toward a shared vision. True leadership also requires understanding our industry’s future, its challenges as well as its successes, by experiencing the full scope of our work and embracing best practices from across the field.
The Partners in Progress Conference and its Emerging Leader program are designed to do exactly that. They empower participants with the skills, relationships, and industry knowledge to lead with confidence and vision. These emerging leaders are the future of our industry, and there is no better time to invest in them than right now.
Partners in Progress will register all Emerging Leaders on behalf of local parties. Please email Katie Kirchner with contact details for your Emerging Leader selection for the 2026 Partners in Progress Conference.
Contact:
Katie Kirchner
kjkirchner4@gmail.com
How to Select an Emerging Leader
Partners in Progress encourages local unions and chapters to look for individuals who show exceptional motivation, drive, and initiative to take on leadership responsibilities, whether formally or informally, in their current role.
Seek out Emerging Leaders who will help diversify leadership teams in race, gender, abilities, and/or gender identity—reflecting the workforce of the future. A broad range of ideas and experiences will better equip our industry to recruit from the widest possible talent pool and truly demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
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