FUEL YOUR FLAME.
ELEVATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.
Lead on Fire 2027
2nd
Annual
CEU Leadership
Conference
- Conference Info
- Registration
- Agenda
- Speakers / Sponsors & Vendors
- Hotel Information
- Emerging Leaders
- FAQ
Lead on Fire Leadership Conference 2027
Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace.
The way you lead matters. And so does the life you're living while you do it.
The Lead on Fire Leadership Conference returns in 2027 for two dynamic days designed to help leaders at every level grow stronger, lead people well, and gain practical tools for the real challenges leadership brings.
This year's theme, Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace., brings together two things that shouldn't have to compete. You can lead with excellence, build strong teams, make difficult decisions, grow your business or organization, and pursue big goals—without sacrificing the things that matter most along the way.
Through powerful keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, practical leadership education, and meaningful networking, you'll gain fresh perspectives and strategies you can use long after the conference is over.
Whether you're an experienced leader, business owner, healthcare professional, or just beginning your leadership journey, there's a place for you at Lead on Fire.
We believe leadership development can be powerful without being predictable, professional without being stuffy, and meaningful without losing the joy.
Come ready to learn. Come ready to grow. Come ready to connect. And come ready to enjoy the experience along the way.
Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace. 🔥
Your Registration Includes
- Two full days of leadership development
- Powerful keynote presentations and engaging breakout workshops
- Continuing Education Credits (10 NAB Approved CE hours for Administrators & Health Care Professionals )
- Conference materials
- Lunch both days
- Snacks and refreshments
- Networking and connection opportunities
Registration Rates
🔥 Super Early Bird – $249
September 1 – October 15, 2026
🔥 Early Bird – $299
October 16 – December 31, 2026
🔥 Regular Registration – $349
January 1 – February 15, 2027
🔥 Late Registration – $375
February 16 – March 3, 2027
🔥 On-Site Registration – $399
March 4–5, 2027, if space is available
🔥 Emerging Leader Rate – $149
Limited Availability
Created to invest in the next generation of leaders, this special rate is available to currently enrolled students in nursing, healthcare administration, leadership, or related programs, as well as new leaders who have been in a formal leadership role for less than one year.
We simply ask that you honor the purpose of this special rate and select general registration if you do not meet the eligibility criteria.
By selecting the Emerging Leader Rate, you confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements. Eligibility may be verified.
Workshop Selection
No need to choose your workshops just yet! Register now to secure your seat and your best available rate. Registered attendees will receive information to select their breakout sessions once the full conference schedule is released.
Sponsor an Emerging Leader
Want to help someone else get in the room?
You'll have the opportunity to contribute to the Lead on Fire Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund, helping students and new leaders experience two days of leadership development, connection, and growth.
We're not just talking about better leadership. We're developing it. 🔥
👉 Join the 2027 Interest List to be the first to receive updates, speaker announcements, and early access registration.
Join the 2027 Interest List
Lead on Fire will be released soon..
🎥 Watch the 2026 Recap Video Below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n_z5FoMxQRN3hxBUAJrG2SR6Syaip5fN/view?usp=share_link
📍 Lead On Fire 2026 Highlights
Here's what the 2026 Leadership Conference had to offer!
✔ 10.5 NAB-approved CEUs
✔ Breakout sessions to fit all leadership needs
✔ Interactive, thought-provoking talks on leadership development
✔ Professional headshots & relaxing massages
✔ Strategic networking with healthcare and other industry leaders
✔ Practical tools leaders could implement immediately
Lead On Fire 2026 laid the foundation.
And we’re building on that foundation.
2026 Conference Sessions Highlights
Day 1 – Igniting the Flame
The Fire Within: Reflection, Purpose, and Action
Presented by Alisha Childress
Participants will explore their personal “why” through guided reflection and learn how to transform clarity into purposeful action for lasting leadership impact.
1 NAB CEU
Seen. Heard. Valued. — Why People Decide to Trust You
Presented by Jen Rowland
This session focuses on building trust intentionally by aligning leadership values with daily actions. Leaders will identify one key habit that strengthens connection, credibility, and accountability.
1 NAB CEU
Lead Like David: Courage, Character, and Calling
Presented by Makeda Payne
Participants will examine five leadership principles demonstrated by David in Scripture and how they continue to shape authentic, values-driven leadership today.
1 NAB CEU
Fuel the Culture: Communication & Conflict as Catalysts for Stronger Leadership
Presented by Carrie Wright
This session equips leaders with practical communication and conflict-resolution strategies that strengthen culture, improve collaboration, and foster trust-driven teams.
1 NAB CEU
Igniting the Fire Within: Because You Were Never Meant to Lead on Empty
Presented by Temika Younger
A powerful reflective session focused on remembering why you lead, reclaiming purpose, and reigniting the passion that first called you into leadership.
1 NAB CEU
Day 2 – Rising to New Heights
Steady in the Storm: Emotional Intelligence for Today’s Leaders
Presented by Butch Jefferson
Leaders will learn how to stay grounded, focused, and effective when leadership pressure is high by strengthening emotional intelligence and resilience.
1 NAB CEU
Breakout Session A: Beyond the Behavior — Leading with Insight in Dementia Care
Presented by Dawn Beninghove, RN
This session empowers healthcare leaders to understand dementia-related behaviors and lead confident, person-centered responses that promote safety, support staff, and reduce risk.
2 NAB CEU'S
Breakout Session B: The Genius of Team Building — Putting People in the Right Places
Presented by Charity Medina
Participants will identify and leverage six distinct working genius types to improve collaboration, productivity, and morale within their teams.
2 NAB CEU'S
Balancing the Burden: Prioritizing Mental Health for Employees and Leaders
Presented by Tonya Pulliam
This session explores strategies for building a culture of mental wellness and supporting both employee and leadership mental health.
1 NAB CEU
Panel Discussion: Leading Boldly in Times of Change
Panel of Healthcare Professionals
An expert panel shares real-world insights and lessons learned while leading through organizational change and uncertainty.
CEU Eligible
Closing Keynote: Making Your Learning Stick — The Art of Reflection
Presented by Christine Kennedy
This closing keynote focuses on reflection as a leadership practice, helping participants integrate conference learning into meaningful, sustainable action.
1 NAB CEU
LEAD ON FIRE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2027
Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace.
📅 March 4–5, 2027 | Lynchburg, Virginia
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Partner With Us to Fuel the Flame ❤️🔥
The Lead on Fire Leadership Conference brings together business owners, emerging and experienced leaders, healthcare professionals, administrators, and others who are committed to becoming stronger leaders—without losing themselves in the process.
Our 2027 theme, Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace., reminds us that meaningful leadership shouldn’t require us to constantly operate exhausted, overwhelmed, or running on empty.
Over two days, attendees will experience leadership development, meaningful conversations, connection, and opportunities to build relationships they can carry back into their businesses, organizations, teams, and communities.
Your sponsorship helps us create that experience.
❤️🔥 IGNITE SPONSOR — $1,000
Make a significant investment in the Lead on Fire experience.
Ignite Sponsors receive our highest level of visibility and engagement throughout the conference.
Benefits Include:
- Prominent logo placement on conference website and sponsor signage
- Dedicated sponsor spotlight on social media
- Recognition from the stage both conference days
- Premium exhibit/vendor table for both days
- Opportunity to include promotional materials in attendee bags
- Two complimentary conference registrations
- Half-page advertisement in conference program
- Opportunity to introduce a keynote or general-session speaker
- Logo displayed on conference presentation screens
Limited Ignite sponsorships available.
🔥 FUEL THE FLAME SPONSOR — $500
Help us keep the fire going
Fuel the Flame Sponsors help create opportunities for leaders to learn, connect, grow, and refuel while gaining meaningful visibility with conference attendees.
Benefits Include:
- Logo on conference website and shared sponsor signage
- Recognition in conference program
- Recognition in sponsor social media promotions
- Recognition from the stage
- Exhibit/vendor table for both days
- Opportunity to include promotional materials in attendee bags
- One complimentary conference registration
- Quarter-page advertisement in conference program
- Logo displayed on conference presentation screens
✨ SPARK SPONSOR — $250
Sometimes one spark is all it takes.
A great option for small businesses and organizations that want to support leadership development while gaining visibility with conference attendees.
Benefits Include:
- Logo on conference website
- Logo/name in conference program
- Logo on shared sponsor signage
- Recognition in collective sponsor social media promotion
- Recognition during the conference
- Opportunity to include promotional material in attendee bags
FRIEND OF LEAD ON FIRE — $100
Every flame needs people willing to help keep it burning.
Designed for individuals, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community supporters who believe in the mission of Lead on Fire and simply want to help make it possible.
Benefits Include:
- Name listed on conference website
- Name listed in conference program
- Recognition as a Friend of Lead on Fire
🎓 EMERGING LEADER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Help Us Fuel the Next Generation of Leaders
The Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund helps make Lead on Fire accessible to currently enrolled students and recent graduates in nursing, healthcare administration, leadership/organizational leadership, business, and other healthcare-related or leadership programs.
Your support puts Emerging Leaders in a room with experienced professionals, business owners, educators, and organizational leaders—giving them opportunities to learn, network, find mentors, and build relationships that could influence their careers.
And the benefit goes both ways.
Their presence also gives employers and business owners an opportunity to meet emerging talent. A conversation at Lead on Fire could lead to mentorship, an internship, a future employee, or a valuable professional connection.
Ways to Give
$25 — Contribute toward a scholarship
$50 — Contribute toward a scholarship
$100 — Contribute toward a scholarship
$149 — Fully sponsor one Emerging Leader
Other Amount — Every gift helps
Every contribution will be recognized. ❤️🔥
All individuals and businesses who contribute to the Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund will be recognized as scholarship supporters at the conference and in conference materials.
Those who contribute $149 or more to fully sponsor at least one Emerging Leader will receive special recognition as an:
❤️🔥 EMERGING LEADER CHAMPION
You may support the Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund with or without purchasing a conference sponsorship package.
IN-KIND CONFERENCE PARTNERS
Have a service that could help fuel Lead on Fire?
We welcome opportunities to partner with businesses that can provide needed products or professional services such as printing, photography, videography, décor, attendee gifts, signage, or other conference needs.
Approved In-Kind Conference Partners will receive recognition based on the type and value of their contribution.
In-kind partnerships are separate from paid sponsorship packages and must be approved in advance.
WHY PARTNER WITH LEAD ON FIRE?
Lead on Fire is about more than what happens in the conference room for two days. Attendees return to businesses, healthcare organizations, classrooms, teams, and communities with new perspectives, new relationships, and renewed energy for the work they lead.
Your support also helps us build a bridge between today’s leaders and those preparing to lead next. Emerging Leaders gain access to experienced professionals, while employers and business owners have an opportunity to connect with talented students and recent graduates who could become part of their organizations.
Whether you Ignite the experience, Fuel the Flame, provide a Spark, become a Friend, or invest directly in an Emerging Leader, there’s a place for you to be part of Lead on Fire 2027.
Help us fuel the flame—and develop the leaders who will carry it forward. ❤️🔥
Lead on Fire Leadership Conference 2027
Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace.
March 4–5, 2027 | Lynchburg, Virginia
2027 Hotel Block Coming Soon!
LEAD ON FIRE EMERGING LEADER SCHOLARSHIP
Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace. 🔥
📅 March 4–5, 2027 | Lynchburg, Virginia
We want Emerging Leaders in the room.
The Lead on Fire Emerging Leader Scholarship was created to help currently enrolled students and recent graduates access meaningful leadership development early in their journey.
Through the generosity of Lead on Fire attendees, businesses, and community supporters who believe in investing in the next generation of leaders, scholarship funding is available to help qualifying Emerging Leaders attend the 2027 Lead on Fire Leadership Conference.
This opportunity is open to currently enrolled students and recent graduates (within the past 12 months) in:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Administration
- Leadership or Organizational Leadership
- Business
- Other healthcare-related or leadership programs
If that's you, we'd love to hear from you—and we'd love the opportunity to help get you in the room.
Scholarships may provide full or partial registration assistance based on available funding.
Emerging Leader App - 2027
Scholarships may provide full or partial registration assistance based on available funding.
Someone believed it was important for an Emerging Leader to be in the room. Maybe that seat is waiting for you.
Who should attend?
Lead on Fire is for business owners, emerging leaders, experienced leaders, healthcare professionals, administrators, and anyone who wants to grow as a leader without losing themselves in the process.
Whether you lead a team, an organization, a business—or you’re preparing for your next season of leadership—there is a place for you in the room.
Do I need to already be in a leadership position to attend?
Not at all! Lead on Fire is for current leaders AND those who are interested in becoming leaders or growing into leadership.
You don’t need a management title or years of leadership experience to belong in the room. If you want to grow personally and professionally and become a stronger leader, this conference is for you.
Is this conference only for healthcare professionals?
No! While Lead on Fire is hosted by Virginia Adult Care Education (VACE) and offers continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals, the conference is designed for leaders across industries.
Some sessions may specifically address healthcare leadership, while others will focus on leadership topics that apply no matter where or how you lead.
What is the theme for 2027?
Our 2027 theme is Lead with Purpose. Live in Peace.
This year, we’re talking about what it looks like to lead well, grow, make an impact, and pursue what you’re called to do—without believing exhaustion has to come with the territory.
What does registration include?
Your registration includes two full days of conference programming, lunch both days, snacks and refreshments, conference materials, networking opportunities, and access to applicable continuing education credit.
And because Lead on Fire is about the whole leader, we’re also working on a few special experiences and added perks for our attendees. We’re keeping those under wraps for now. Just know we have a few things planned beyond the sessions.
How much is registration?
Registering early gives you the best price!
Super Early Bird: $249 | Sept. 1–Oct. 15, 2026
Early Bird: $299 | Oct. 16–Dec. 31, 2026
Regular: $349 | Jan. 1–Feb. 15, 2027
Late: $375 | Feb. 16–Mar. 3, 2027
On-Site: $399 | If space is available
Do you offer group registration?
Yes! Organizations bringing 5 or more attendees can take advantage of our Leadership Team Group Rate.
$275 per person through December 31, 2026 — a savings of $74 per person off the Regular registration rate.
$325 per person January 1–February 28, 2027 — a savings of $24 per person off the Regular registration rate.
Register your team of 5 by December 31 and save $370. Register 6 and save $444—that’s more than the cost of one full Regular registration!
Groups of 6 may request to be seated together at one table. Group registrations must be submitted together and paid in a single transaction or invoice.
Can I attend just one day?
Yes. While Lead on Fire is designed as a two-day conference, attendees may choose to attend only one day. However, registration fees are not prorated for single-day attendance, and the full conference registration fee will apply.
Are continuing education credits available?
Yes. The conference is planned to offer 10 NAB continuing education hours for Administrators and Healthcare Professionals.
Continuing education credit will be awarded based on actual sessions and hours attended. Attendees must meet all applicable attendance and participation requirements to receive credit. Attendees who choose to attend only one day will receive credit only for the eligible sessions attended that day.
When will the speakers and conference agenda be announced?
Speakers, session topics, and the full conference agenda will be added to the conference page as they are finalized.
Check back for updates—we have a great two days in store for you!
What is the Emerging Leader Scholarship?
The Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund helps make it possible for currently enrolled students and recent graduates in nursing, healthcare administration, leadership/organizational leadership, business, and other healthcare-related or leadership programs to attend Lead on Fire.
Scholarships are limited and awarded based on available funding.
Can I help sponsor an Emerging Leader?
Absolutely! ❤️🔥 Contributions of any amount to the Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund help us bring the next generation of leaders into the room.
Every person or organization who contributes will be recognized for their support. Those who fully fund one Emerging Leader’s conference registration will receive special recognition as an Emerging Leader Champion.
Bringing Emerging Leaders into the room also creates opportunities for established organizations and business owners to connect with talented students and recent graduates who may become future employees, colleagues, and leaders.
Will meals be provided?
Yes! Lunch will be provided both days, along with snacks and refreshments.
What if I have dietary restrictions or food allergies?
We’ll ask about dietary restrictions and food allergies on the registration form. Please provide that information when registering so we can plan accordingly.
While we’ll make every reasonable effort to accommodate dietary needs, specific meal options cannot be guaranteed.
What should I wear?
Come comfortable and ready to connect! Business casual is a great choice. We want you to look good, feel good, and be able to enjoy two full days of Lead on Fire.
Will there be opportunities to network?
Definitely. Lead on Fire is about more than sitting in sessions. You’ll have opportunities throughout the conference to connect with other leaders, business owners, healthcare professionals, Emerging Leaders, speakers, and organizations.
Bring your business cards—or at least make sure that LinkedIn profile is ready.
Is parking available?
Yes! Free parking will be available for conference attendees at the conference venue.
Is the conference accessible for attendees with disabilities?
Yes. The conference venue is handicap accessible, and attendees will have an opportunity to identify accommodation needs on the registration form.
We encourage you to share any needs when registering so we can make every reasonable effort to support your participation.
I’m traveling to Lynchburg. Where should I stay?
We’re glad you’re coming! Lynchburg offers several convenient lodging options for our out-of-town attendees.
Visit the Hotel Information section on this page for recommended accommodations and the latest lodging information for the conference.
I’m coming from out of town. What is there to do in Lynchburg?
We hope you’ll make a little time to enjoy Lynchburg while you’re here! ❤️
Known as the City of Seven Hills, Lynchburg offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a historic and walkable downtown, locally owned restaurants and coffee shops, shopping, arts and culture, and plenty of places to slow down and enjoy yourself.
If you have some extra time before or after the conference, explore Downtown Lynchburg, walk the Blackwater Creek Trail, visit local shops and restaurants, or simply take in some of what makes Central Virginia special.
We’ll also share some of our favorite places to eat, visit, and explore so you can enjoy a little more of Lynchburg while you’re here.
What is the cancellation policy?
We understand that plans change. Cancellations received by January 31, 2027 are eligible for a refund less a $50 administrative fee.
Beginning February 1, registration fees are nonrefundable; however, you may request to transfer your registration to another eligible attendee or apply your registration fee as a credit toward another eligible VACE leadership course or program.
Please review the full Conference Registration Policies for complete details.
Can someone attend in my place if I can’t come?
Yes. Registration may be transferred to another eligible attendee at no additional charge when requested in writing before the conference.
