Attendees connect during the 2026 Women in School Leadership Forum.
Participants envision their future in school leadership.
Participants use stickers and scrapbooking materials to bring their visions to life.
Participants proudly display their completed vision boards.
Singing bowls guide participants through meditation and self-care.
Attendees at the Women in School Leadership Forum.
Keynote speaker Dr. Karla Estrada inspires attendees to embrace their unique journeys.
Planning committee members for the conference.
ACSA leaders gather during the forum.
Keynote speaker Dr. Shree Walker challenges attendees to lead with purpose.
Dr. Shree Walker (center) gathers with attendees following her keynote address.
Dr. Adaina Brown presents on courageous leadership.
Building friendships and finding community among women in school leadership.
Women leaders enjoy the sunshine and scenic views of Indian Wells.
Attendees exchange ideas and perspectives during a breakout session.
ACSA President Dr. Rene Rickard.
Dr. Christina Pierce (third from left) was named ACSA’s 2026 Exemplary Woman in Education.
United in yellow, unstoppable in purpose at the 2026 Women in School Leadership Forum.
A shared commitment to leadership brings women together at the forum.
Friendships flourish beyond the sessions at the Women in School Leadership Forum.
A splash of yellow and plenty of smiles at the outdoor dinner reception.
Fashion, friendship and fun take center stage at the forum’s fashion show.
Closing keynote speaker Dr. Vajra Watson explores what it means to be unstoppable from within.
Keynote speaker Dr. Vajra Watson with ACSA leaders.
Women leaders learn to be ‘unstoppable’ at ACSA forum
OCTOBER 19, 2026
What does it mean to be unstoppable, and how does a woman leader carve a path different from the one others imagined for them?
More than 250 women from across California explored those ideas Sept. 23-25 in Indian Wells at ACSA’s 2026 Women in School Leadership Forum, “Unstoppable: Women Leading the Way.”
Opening keynote Dr. Karla Estrada set the tone, reminding attendees that their stories and differences are part of what makes them powerful. Women who are “built different,” she said, take unique approaches to their lives and careers that defy expectations.
“Each of you have a beautiful story that talks about why you get up every morning and decide, ‘I’m going to do my very best,’” Estrada said.
That idea took shape during the three days of the conference. Women discussed creating a clearer vision for their leadership paths and spoke honestly about the barriers they need to overcome to progress to their next role. Sessions on courageous leadership tackled what it takes to have difficult conversations and make decisions that put students ahead of comfort.
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Attendees also made room to slow down. Several sessions focused on the relationships that sustain women in leadership and reminded them that resilience isn’t meant to be built alone. In “Resonant Resilience,” attendees examined burnout triggers, took deep breaths and listened to “singing bowls” together.
Keynote speaker Dr. Shree Walker turned women’s attention to the influence they already hold.
“I don’t chase environments,” Walker said. “I change them.”
Walker introduced the concept of M.E.E. (Mindset Shift, Education and Execution), a mnemonic to help turn women’s knowledge into action. She left the group with a question to carry home: “What do people experience when they experience you?”
Closing keynote Dr. Vajra Watson centered women leaders’ “self.” “What does it mean to become literate to our own souls?” she asked, connecting self-reflection to healing and leadership.
Then came one more question: Who isn’t in the room with us, but should be?
ACSA President Dr. Rene Rickard encouraged the group to “tap someone else on the shoulder” and see the potential in other women and emerging leaders. She pointed to ACSA’s $100 “You Belong in Leadership” experience on Nov. 4 as one way to help an aspiring leader take that first step.
“Invest in them,” Rickard said. “Encourage them. Help them see a path they may not yet see.”
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