International Leadership Association

THE MISSION OF THE ILA IS TO ADVANCE LEADERSHIP KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE FOR A BETTER WORLD.

CONFERENCES: 22ND ANNUAL GLOBAL CONFERENCE: THE ILA'S VIRTUAL GLOBAL CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 5-9, 2020, WAS THE LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE ANNUAL GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN ILA HISTORY WITH 1400 PARTICIPANTS FROM 124 COUNTRIES. ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO BE HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO, THE CONFERENCE THEME, LEADING AT THE EDGE, WAS ESPECIALLY TIMELY AS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC CHANGED HOW PEOPLE COMMUNICATE, GATHER, LEARN, AND LEAD. SPANNING 17 TIME ZONES AROUND THE WORLD, THE CONFERENCE'S 15 HOURS OF DAILY PROGRAMMING CREATED OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE, LEARN, AND NETWORK WITHOUT TRAVELING TO A CONFERENCE SITE. SIX KEYNOTE PLENARY SESSIONS, EACH COMPRISED OF 4-6 THOUGHT LEADERS AND PRACTITIONERS PROVIDED DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ON VARIOUS LEADERSHIP TOPICS.: GLOBAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE; THE ARTS AND SPIRITUALITY AS FORCES FOR RENEWAL; LEADERSHIP LEVERAGE POINTS FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE; PERSPECTIVES ON LEADERSHIP & THE U.S. ELECTION; THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES; A MANIFESTO FOR BETTER LEADERSHIP. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM INCLUDED MEMBER COMMUNITY ORGANIZED STREAMS FEATURING OVER 400 PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, RESEARCH PAPERS, AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS PLUS POSTERS, ROUNDTABLES, A VIRTUAL EXHIBIT HALL, AND ONLINE NETWORKING OPTIONS. OTHER POPULAR ILA TRADITIONS PIVOTING TO THE ONLINE FORMAT WERE THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CASE COMPETITION, AWARDS PRESENTATIONS INCLUDING THE ILA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES, THE DOCTORAL CONSORTIUM, MEMBER COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, AND THE CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERSHIP THOUGHT LEADERS. WHILE MANY OTHER ASSOCIATION CONFERENCES PIVOTED TO FULLY PRE-RECORDED FORMATS, THE ILA NEVER WAVERED IN ITS COMMITMENT TO CREATE A HIGH TOUCH, LIVE, INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE USING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY TO FURTHER THE ASSOCIATION'S MISSION.THE ILA HELD FOUR LIVE ONLINE VIRTUAL CONFERENCES THIS YEAR, EACH ORGANIZED IN LARGE PART BY VOLUNTEERS FROM ONE OR MORE OF THE ILA'S MEMBER COMMUNITIES, TO FURTHER THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICIPANTS. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED: POWER OF PURPOSE: MEASURING THE ECONOMIC OF PURPOSE SUMMIT: HELD APRIL 9, 2021, 131 EXECUTIVES AND MANAGEMENT SCHOLARS ENGAGED IN AN EXPLORATION OF HOW AN ORGANIZATION'S VALUES AND PURPOSE CAN IMPACT BUSINESS METRICS SUCH AS GROWTH, REVENUE AND PROFIT, ENGAGEMENT, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, AND CLIENT AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION. IN ADDITION TO KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, THE CONFERENCE INCLUDED IN-DEPTH, FACILITATED BREAKOUT SESSIONS, AND A VIRTUAL NETWORKING HUB USING VIDEO CHATS WITH OTHER ATTENDEES. STRENGTHENING TIES BETWEEN HEALTHCARE AND LEADERSHIP: ILA'S FIRST-EVER CONFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TOOK PLACE ONLINE MAY 17-18. WITH 140 PARTICIPANTS, THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM FEATURED PRESENTATIONS BY HEALTHCARE AND LEADERSHIP EXPERTS ON FOUNDATIONAL AND CUTTING-EDGE TOPICS RELEVANT TO PRACTITIONERS, EDUCATORS, AND SCHOLARS TO OPTIMIZE LEADER DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP EDUCATION, RESEARCH, PRACTICE, AND NETWORKING. INTERACTIVE POSTER SESSIONS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE IMPORTANT RESEARCH AND PRACTICES. THE HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP MEMBER COMMUNITY SUBSEQUENTLY SET A DATE FOR THE NEXT CONFERENCE TO CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT WORK IN 2022. ADVANCING RESEARCH IN WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP ACADEMIC COLLOQUIUM - FROM INTENT TO ACTION: AFTER LAST YEAR'S WOMEN & LEADERSHIP LEADING DIFFERENTLY CONFERENCE, THE WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP MEMBER COMMUNITY DECIDED TO TAKE THIS YEAR'S EVENT IN A NEW DIRECTION BY ORGANIZING A FOCUSED RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM. BEFORE THE JUNE 3-5 ONLINE CONFERENCE, ACCEPTED PARTICIPANTS BEGAN WORKING IN RESEARCH TEAMS IN MID-APRIL TO DEVELOP AN ONGOING RESEARCH AND PUBLISHING AGENDA. EACH DAY OF THE COLLOQUIUM INCLUDED A SEMINAR SPEAKER, AFTER WHICH PARTICIPANTS WORKED IN THEIR TEAMS ON EXERCISES DEVELOPED TO ADVANCE THEIR SHARED RESEARCH AGENDA. BRINGING TOGETHER 61 SEASONED, MID-CAREER, AND NEW SCHOLARS, THE STATED OUTCOME WAS FOR TEAMS TO CONTINUE COLLABORATING AFTER THE COLLOQUIUM TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, PRODUCE PUBLICATIONS, AND FURTHER DRIVE THE RESEARCH AGENDA ON WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP. SUSTAINABILITY AND BEYOND - REIMAGINING LEADERSHIP FOR JUST AND REGENERATIVE GLOBAL FUTURES SUMMIT: THE ILA SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP MEMBER COMMUNITY ORGANIZED A THREE-DAY VIRTUAL SUMMIT JUNE 22-24, 2021. FRAMED BY THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, THE DIVERSE PROGRAM OF PLENARIES AND CONCURRENT SESSIONS EXPLORED THREE THEMES: VISIONARY LEADERSHIP FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE; ECONOMIC IMPERATIVES OF SUSTAINABLE AND REGENERATIVE FUTURES; AND MARGINALIZED TO MAINSTREAM: EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND REGENERATIVE FUTURES. THE CONFERENCE BROUGHT TOGETHER 160 PARTICIPANTS FROM NGOS, CORPORATIONS, UNIVERSITIES, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, FOUNDATIONS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS -- CHANGE AGENTS AND LEADERS -- TO MOBILIZE, REIMAGINE AND COLLECTIVELY ACCELERATE THE POSITIVE CHANGES NEEDED TO MEET THE DAUNTING CHALLENGES FACING PLANET AND PEOPLE.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM CONTINUES TO DELIVER A RANGE OF SERVICES AND BENEFITS TO MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ILA INTERSECTIONS MEMBER PORTAL WITH THE MEMBER DIRECTORY, DISCUSSION FORUMS, AND ACCESS TO MEMBER BENEFITS; MEMBER PRICING ON ALL CONFERENCES AND FREE WEBINARS; AND A MEMBER COPY OF THEIR SELECTED BUILDING LEADERSHIP BRIDGES BOOK. AFTER A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ONLINE ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING WITH A RECORD TURNOUT, THE ILA BEGAN A NEW TRADITION OF QUARTERLY TOWN HALL MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS WITH ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES AND FOCUSED NETWORKING. IN ADDITION, THE ILA EXPANDED ITS SUPPORT TO THE ILA'S THIRTEEN MEMBERS COMMUNITIES BY IMPLEMENTING A SERIES OF MEMBER ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES. AFTER PRODUCING A MEMBER COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP HANDBOOK FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS, ILA'S MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR WORKED WITH EACH COMMUNITY TO CREATE COMMUNITY HOME PAGES ON INTERSECTIONS AND THEN BEGAN ROLLING OUT AN INTERSECTIONS ONLINE COMMUNITY FOR EACH MEMBER COMMUNITY TO INCREASE COMMUNICATIONS, NETWORKING, RESOURCE SHARING. THE CONTINUING EXPANSION OF ILA INTERSECTIONS HELPS ILA MEMBERS FIND AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS WITH SHARED INTERESTS WHILE PROVIDING ACCESS TO DECADES OF COMPILED MEMBER RESOURCES. THIS INCLUDES ON-DEMAND ACCESS TO LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES WEBINARS ARCHIVE. OFFERED FREE TO MEMBERS, THIS YEAR'S ELEVEN LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES WEBINARS WERE: THE REGENERATIVE LIFE: TRANSFORMING YOUR DESTINY, ORGANIZATION, AND COMMUNITY; THE INTERSECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE; LEADING TO CREATE A REGENERATIVE ECOSYSTEM; INTERSECTIONS OF LEADERSHIP, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE; THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON WOMEN'S FINANCIAL WELLBEING: OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP; USING STORIES OF LEADERS TO TEACH AND LEARN ABOUT LEADERSHIP; GUARDIANS OF PUBLIC VALUE: HOW PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS SURVIVE AND THRIVE; LEADERSHIP ON THE COMMONS: LESSONS FOR GOVERNMENT, CORPORATIONS, AND NGOS; ELEVATING THE STATUS OF LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT; THE INTERSECTION OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND FOLLOWERSHIP; WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP: JOURNEY TOWARD EQUITY.

PUBLICATIONS:THE ILA CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON CREATING AND DISSEMINATING TRUSTED LEADERSHIP RESOURCES THROUGH A VARIETY OF TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL "PUBLICATION" FORMATS RANGING FROM THE WEBSITE, TO BLOGS, NEWSLETTERS, AND BOOKS. THE REDESIGN OF THE ILA'S WEBSITE WAS COMPLETED TO MODERNIZE ITS BRANDING AND FUNCTIONALITY. ITS EXTENSIVE CONTENT AND RESOURCES INCLUDE THE ILA'S BLOG LEADERSHIP FOR THE GREATER GOOD, BY GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADERS OFFERING TIMELY AND RELEVANT PERSPECTIVES ON IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP TOPICS, THE LEADERSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM DIRECTORY, A JOBS BOARD, LINKS TO ONLINE JOURNALS, AND ILA NEWS. THE BUILDING LEADERSHIP BRIDGES BOOK SERIES CONTINUED WITH THE PUBLICATION OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION: ALLYSHIP, ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM, EDITED BY JACKLYN BRUCE AND KATHERINE MCKEE (EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING). CREATED AS A TEXT FOR THE TEACHING OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP, THIS VOLUME INCLUDES CHAPTERS BY TWENTY-SEVEN EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS. GROUNDED IN LEADERSHIP THEORY, AND WRITTEN FOR SCHOLARS, PRACTITIONERS, EDUCATORS, ACTIVISTS, AND STUDENTS, EACH SECTION PROVIDES RELEVANT PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES, TALES FROM THE FIELD, AND CASE STUDIES. THE ILA'S INTERFACE NEWSLETTERS PROVIDE ASSOCIATION AND MEMBER COMMUNITY NEWS, LINKS TO RESOURCES AND COLUMNS INCLUDING: EXPLORING LEADERSHIP; PAUSE FOR PEDAGOGY; GLOBAL & CULTURALLY DIVERSE LEADERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY; AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP & THE ARTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE CORNER. RESOURCE REWIND E-BULLETINS USE A THEMATIC APPROACH TO DISTRIBUTING TIMELY RESOURCES FROM THE ILA'S LIBRARIES AND COLLECTIONS. EMBRACING A RELATIVELY NEW "PUBLICATION FORMAT;" THE ILA PARTNERS ON THREE PODCASTS FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH LEADERS, ACADEMICS, RESEARCHERS, AND PRACTITIONERS FROM DIVERSE SECTORS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND INSPIRATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS AND CHALLENGES. THIS YEAR, PHRONESIS: PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR LEADERS, BECAME THE OFFICIAL ILA PODCAST. THE ILA CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIPS ON THE INNOVATING LEADERSHIP PODCAST DISTRIBUTED ON THE VOICEAMERICA BUSINESS CHANNEL AND THE LEADERSHIP EDUCATOR PODCAST. THE PODCASTS ARE AN IMPORTANT VEHICLE FOR PROVIDING LEADERSHIP RESOURCES TO THE PUBLIC AND TO ILA MEMBERS.