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National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education

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NAPAHE's 39th Annual National Conference & Business Meeting

March 11-13, 2026
Marriott Rivercenter on the Riverwalk
San Antonio, Texas

Conference Program

Annual Business Meeting Packet

2026 Conference Presentations

Select PDFs available for download. If a session you are looking for is not listed, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the speaker/presenter directly.

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Plenary Presentations

Session Title	Speaker
I Do Number Two: The Critical Role of Second-In-Command Leaders	Dr. Melva Wallace	Download Content

Session 1 - Thursday 3/12 at 9:30 - 10:30 AM

Session Title	Speaker
Behind the Search: Unwritten Rules for Managing Executive Searches	Steve Frieder	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
High-Volume, High-Impact: Scaling Executive Event Planning with Technology and Institutional Knowledge	Paula Garza	Download Content
Building an AI-Ready Campus: The Presidential Assistant's Handbook	Josh Schwartz Element451	Download Content
Lessons on Influence and Followership	Trina Smith	Download Content
The Strategic and Complex Role of Chiefs of Staff	Don-Terry Veal	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Session 2 - Thursday 3/12 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Session Title	Speaker
Beyond the Org Chart: Strategies for cross-boundary leadership in a matrixed management environment	Kendall Barton, Ed.D., PMP Jason James, Ed.D., LSSGB	Download Content
Congress, the Administration and Higher Education – A Washington Perspective	Mark Burnham	Download Content
From Preparation to Partnership: Best Practices for Supporting Searches in Higher Education	Jenny Carron Kara Miller	Download Content
Grow Your Role	Heather Fehn	Download Content
Blueprints for Growth: Building Your Professional Development	Sarah Myers Brynne Pulver	Download Content

Session 3 - Thursday 3/12 at 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Session Title	Speaker
AI Belongs in the Governance Record: What Higher Education Board Professionals Need to Know	Jody Carlson Becca Meshberger OnBoard	Download Content
Lessons Learned the Hard Way	Heather Fehn Steve Frieder	Download Content
Postmortem with Purpose: A Change Model Approach to Project Management	Madison Merrifield	Download Content
The Speed of Trust	Sheri Sargent	Download Content
From Transition to Transformation: Strategic Leadership Amid Shifting Institutional Landscapes	Dr. Bonnie Taylor	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Session 4 - Thursday 3/12 at 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Session Title	Speaker
Measuring Impact and Advocating for Yourself	Eddie Cullinane	Download Content
Building a Professional Community Within and Across Higher Education	Kathryn Enke	Download Content
The Art of Executive Onboarding: A Panel Discussion	Morgan Fradenburgh Jill Lange Gem Perkins Trina Smith	Download Content
The AI-Powered Executive Office: Tools and Ethical Guidelines for the Future of Support	Paula Garza	Download Content
The Power of Presence: Executive Communication and Influence in Complex Systems	Dr. Bonnie Taylor	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Resources

NAPAHE's Networking Bingo (Version 1)

NAPAHE's Networking Bingo (Version 2)

Onboarding Checklist for Senior Leadership Roles

Book Suggestions for Onboarding

Tips on Briefing Your Principal

Preferences Questionnaire for Principal During Onboarding

Effective Office AI Policy & SOP

High-Impact Event Planning SOP

Thank you to our 2026 Conference Sponsors!

Title Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

NAPAHE Sponsors

Special Thanks To...

NAPAHE's Board of Directors
(100% sponsorship support)