Executive Leadership Summit

April 27-30, 2021 • Washington, D.C. area • Darden School of Business Rosslyn Campus
For any senior-level professional or leader in the E&S industry who has significant industry experience and wants to think, act and lead strategically 

About The Summit

This capstone program focuses on developing and implementing strategic planning, leadership and change management at the personal, team and organizational level. Senior-level professionals learn through intensive, real-life case studies taught by faculty from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Participants return to their organizations with the tools and mindsets to act more strategically. Attendees will develop the enterprise perspective required to make winning choices while running their businesses in today’s complex environment.

On Thursday, April 30 guests can take an optional bus tour of Washington, D.C.’s many sights and monuments. A boxed dinner will be provided during the tour. There is no additional cost to sign up for the bus tour, but attendees who wish to join must indicate that during the online registration process.

Learn more about Executive Leadership Summit in the informational program brochure.

Who Should Attend

WSIA members with considerable E&S industry experience who are at the top of their organizations' leadership teams, and senior-level members with direct responsibility for obtaining superior and sustainable results, should attend the summit. 

Registration and Fees

• Due to evolving travel and health concerns related to the coronavirus, the 2020 Executive Leadership Summit has been canceled.  If you would like to be on a waitlist for the 2021 program, please fill out this waitlist survey.
• Registration is $2,725 per person and includes hotel accommodations and meals during the program.  Attendees will enjoy a luxury hotel experience at Le Méridien Arlington, which is located in the Rosslyn District and is three blocks from the Darden Education Center.
• Any questions regarding registration may be directed to Denise Marshall, denise@wsia.org. 

What Alumni Have to Say

Watch a short video to hear what past participants have to say about their personal experiences at Executive Leadership Summit.

“These four days will challenge your way of thinking, leading and managing. The facilitators use real-life cases to invoke deep discussion amongst leaders in the industry. A few days that can provide a real impact for years to come.”  
Corey Alison

“I have two degrees, professional designations and have run my own company for 12 years. The past four days have been some of the most insightful I have ever spent. I couldn't recommend the program more highly.” 
James Keating

“Anyone given the opportunity to attend this program should not hesitate. You will come away with tools that will positively affect your career, your staff and your personal life.”  
Michele Plaisant

Executive Leadership Summit Topics

• From Tactical to Strategic Leadership – Understand how to assess an organization’s core capabilities to determine potential strategic direction and decision-making.  
• The Power of Story and Personal Engagement – Discuss leadership style and how to lead strategic, innovative change in your organization. Through interactive group discussion, participants share their engagement in various activities and discover what is most important when leading change.
• Leading Effective Change – Participants gain understanding of the barriers that limit voice and innovation and learn to effectively encourage stakeholders to feel comfortable bringing forward new ideas and opportunities.
• Leading Through Organizational Design – During this session, participants will better understand how misalignments occur in organizational systems and how to improve collaboration. They also learn to more accurately assess the effectiveness and design of innovation.
• Strategy as Stretch – In this session we will consider whether to acquire a new target. We begin by understanding an organization’s current strategy, when to depart from what has worked in the past, and how much should one depart or stretch in order to be successful. Participants will also learn what a strategy is, why it’s important, then use an interactive exercise to work through strategy at it relates to leaders’ roles, how to articulate it, and apply it in their day-to-day jobs.
• Building Organization Coherence – Study the “core” of an organization and how to lead when you are pursuing growth in your organization. We will also explore how the pieces of an organization fit together to create coherence.

Session Location

Darden School of Business - Sands Family Grounds
1000 Wilson Boulevard, 30th Floor
Arlington, Virginia 22209

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel accommodations are reserved by WSIA as part of your registration. Attendees will stay at the Le Méridien Arlington, which is a luxury hotel experience located in the Rosslyn District and is three blocks from the Darden Education Center.

Le Méridien Arlington
1121 19th St N
Arlington, VA.

Travel Information

Arlington is accessible through:

• Reagan International Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD).
• DC Metro service is available at Reagan International Airport on the Blue Line.
• Cabs, Uber and Lyft are available at both airports.

Executive Leadership Summit Cancellation Policy

• Registrants can receive a full refund, less a $50 fee for processing, if the request is made six weeks in advance of the program.
• Registrants can receive a 50% refund between four and six weeks in advance of the program.
• No refund is offered less than four weeks in advance of the program.
• Should you cancel less than four weeks from the program date you will have a limited time opportunity to substitute someone else at your firm as an alternative to the above refund policy.
• All requests must be made in writing to Denise Marshall, denise@wsia.org.