May 20, 2026 Agenda
NextGen Virtual Summit
Wednesday, May 20
10-11 AM ET/ 7-8 AM PT
[Opening Keynote 1] Leading With Purpose - Defining Your Impact in Public Service
In this keynote, you’ll learn how to align your personal leadership vision with your agency’s mission, whether at the federal, state, local, or tribal level, and inspire colleagues by connecting daily work to community impact.
10-11 AM ET/ 7-8 AM PT
[Opening Keynote 2] Communicating Confidently During Disruption
In this keynote, you'll learn strategies to communicate clearly during policy shifts, leadership changes, or crises. You'll learn how to ensure transparency and trust across your organization and with the public you serve.
11-11:15 AM ET/8-8:15 AM PT
Morning Break
Grab another cup of coffee before the breakout sessions start!
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM ET/8:15 - 9:15 AM PT
[Breakout Session] Resume Bootcamp
Whether you're looking for an entirely new role or want to clinch that promotion you've been eyeing, it's never a bad time to refresh your resume. In this breakout session, you'll learn how to tailor resumes for government roles at any level and get practical tips for navigating hiring systems.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM ET/8:15 - 9:15 AM PT
[Breakout Session] Active Listening 101
There's more to listening than just smiling and nodding. In fact, active listening in the workplace is a critical management skill, whether you're working with your peers or higher-ups. This session will provide you with the basic skills you need to start practicing active listening.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM ET/8:15 - 9:15 AM PT
[Breakout Session] Change Management for Govies Workshop
As these past few years have proven, change is constant in government. But one thing we can control in the midst of turbulence is how we react. This session will explain practical approaches to help you adapt to new administrations, budgets, and shifting priorities.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM ET/8:15 - 9:15 AM PT
[Breakout Session] AI Skills for Public Service
AI isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's only becoming more ingrained in the way government works. Yet despite its widespread adoption, many government employees report feeling unprepared or untrained when it comes to actually using AI tools. This session will arm you with the AI skills you.
12:30 - 1:30 PM ET/9:30 - 10:30 AM PT
[Lunch Keynote 1] Inspiring an Unmotivated Team
Dips in team and employee engagement are normal and to be expected. But how can managers and supervisors anticipate these bouts of unengagement so that team deliverables and goals are still met? In this keynote, you'll learn strategies to re-energize staff amid bureaucratic hurdles, limited resources, and mission fatigue.
12:30 - 1:30 PM ET/9:30 - 10:30 AM PT
[Lunch Keynote 2] Connecting With Purpose
confirm that we can move this breakout into a keynote
1:30 - 1:45 PM ET/10:30 - 10:45 AM PT
Break
Stretch your legs, unclench your jaw, and drink some water!
1:45 - 2:45 PM ET/10:45-11:45 AM PT
[Breakout Session] First-Time Manager Toolkit
Congrats, you're a manager! Now what? Stepping into a new managing role can feel quite daunting, but with a little training and time, you'll feel more confident. This session will help you better understand supervisory basics for government managers, including delegation, feedback and performance management.
1:45 - 2:45 PM ET/10:45-11:45 AM PT
[Breakout Session] Silencing Your Inner Critic
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt are more pervasive than you might think: nearly 70% of working professionals report feeling inadequate at work at some point in their careers. This session will help you overcome your inner critic as you learn how to recognize self-doubt, reframe your mindset and build confidence in your role.
1:45 - 2:45 PM ET/10:45-11:45 AM PT
[Breakout Session] Project Management Essentials
Even if your job description doesn't explicitly include project management as a required skill, you'd probably still benefit from learning proven methods to plan, organize and deliver your projects on time. In this session, an expert will walk you through the project management essentials.
1:45 - 2:45 PM ET/10:45-11:45 AM PT
[Breakout Session] Conflict Management in Government Teams
Most of us are conditioned in some way or another to avoid conflict as much as possible. We often view it as an obstacle at work. This session will teach you how to reframe conflict as a catalyst for productive discussion and change. You'll learn how to handle disagreements constructively and turn conflict into collaboration.
2:45 - 3 PM ET/11:45 AM - 12 PM PT
Afternoon Break
Stretch your legs, unclench your jaw, and drink some water!
3 - 4 PM ET/12 - 1 PM ET
[Closing Keynote 1] Building Credibility and Trust in Public Service
In this keynote, you’ll learn how to establish credibility with colleagues, leadership, and the public. You’ll explore practical strategies for demonstrating integrity and communicating with transparency. By the end, you’ll feel equipped to foster stronger relationships and elevate your professional influence across your organization and community.
3 - 4 PM ET/12 - 1 PM ET
[Closing Keynote 2] The Future of Government Leadership
Emerging challenges are reshaping government leadership, from AI adoption and workforce modernization to rapidly rising citizen expectations. In this closing keynote session, you'll hear from a gov thought leaders as they share their view of what it takes to lead with clarity and confidence amid constant change. You’ll leave energized with actionable insights to guide the future of your organization.