Together We Thrive: Health Across the Lifespan
San Antonio | November 1-4, 2026
As the largest public health gathering of the year, APHA’s Annual Meeting and Expo convenes approximately 11,000 public health professionals and partners from around the world. Join us for this can’t miss opportunity to make lasting connections and learn from exhibitors, peers and today’s leaders. Together, let’s ensure health for all across the lifespan.
APHA Women’s Leadership Institute
Rooted to Rise, Ready to Flow: Moving Boldly to What’s Next
The 2026 Women’s Leadership Institute invites women leaders to pause, reflect and intentionally prepare for what comes next — in their leadership journeys, careers and personal growth.
Through conversations and practical leadership insights, participants will explore how staying grounded in purpose and authenticity can serve as a powerful foundation during times of change, transition and advancement. Emphasis will be placed on navigating uncertainty, embracing evolution and leading with presence, resilience and self‑trust.
This year’s Institute is designed for women at all career stages. This session supports participants in connecting their roots to their aspirations, transforming reflection into momentum and intention into action. Saturday’s Institute will be enhanced by additional community building and learning opportunities across Annual Meeting programming.
Participants will leave with:
- Greater confidence in navigating transitions and defining their next chapter
- Practical tools for leading with clarity, adaptability and purpose
- A deeper understanding of how personal style connects to authentic confidence
- Renewed connection to a community of women leaders rising together
Register to join us
Preliminary Schedule
*This schedule is accurate as of May 2026 and is subject to change
Saturday, October 31
| 8 – 9 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 9 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome |
| 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Keynote & Q&A |
| 10:15 -10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. | Finding Your Flow: Navigating the Next Career Bend Explore the evolving workforce landscape and gain practical, evidence-informed strategies for identifying and pursuing career opportunities in a competitive and rapidly changing market. This session will highlight how to translate and align core public health competencies across diverse roles and sectors. Attendees will learn how to effectively position their experience and remain adaptable while navigating workforce shifts, advancing population health goals, and moving confidently toward your next professional step. |
| 11:20 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Rooted in Purpose, Ready to Build: Public Health and Entrepreneurship Join this fireside chat for a candid conversation on how public health professionals are applying their values and expertise to entrepreneurial pathways. Panelists will share real‑world experiences, lessons learned and insights on navigating uncertainty while building innovative, mission‑driven work focused on what’s next. |
| 12:10 – 12:40 p.m. | Rooted to Rise: A Fireside Chat about Breaking Barriers Hear personal stories from women who challenged stereotypes and disrupted conventional narratives to navigate their careers with confidence. |
| 12:50 – 1:40 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:45 - 2:20 p.m. | Rooted Online: Leveraging Social Media to Enhance Your Career This session explores how a clear, authentic social media presence, including LinkedIn, can support career growth and professional visibility. Participants will gain practical insights on aligning their online presence with career goals, building credibility and using social media platforms strategically to move confidently toward what’s next. |
| 2:20 – 2:30 p.m. | Closing Speaker: Nandi Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CLC, CDE President, APHA |
Additional Programming
Monday, Nov. 2
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Champion Conversation: Rest, Well-being and Their Impact on a Healthy Lifespan
In fast paced public health work environments, rest is often undervalued despite rising levels of burnout across the workforce. This session reframes rest as a practical, preventive strategy that supports resilience, clarity and sustainable performance across the lifespan. This session will examine how intentional rest can help mitigate burnout, strengthen well‑being and sustain the capacity of public health professionals to meet ongoing and emerging demands, with actionable strategies applicable across roles and career stages.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Rooted to Rise: Clarifying Your Leadership Philosophy
Strong leadership begins with clarity. In this interactive session, participants will define their personal leadership philosophy by identifying the core values and beliefs that guide their decisions and actions. Through reflection, storytelling and peer discussion, attendees will explore how to remain grounded while adapting to change and uncertainty. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of purpose, greater self-awareness and increased confidence to lead authentically and thoughtfully into what’s next.