Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Academy

Leadership Starts Here

Washington, dc | May 7-8, 2026

About

About SSLA 2026

May 7–8, 2026 at the NAEA Office (1100 G Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005)

Step into leadership at the Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Acadamy (SSLA)

NAEA’s Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Acadamy is a two day leadership development experience for NAEA members who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

This is not a traditional conference. SSLA is a hands-on academy designed to help current and emerging leaders sharpen the skills that keep enrolled agents thriving through strategic planning, volunteer engagement, communications, governance basics, event execution, and long-term sustainability. Expect usable frameworks, peer-driven discussion, and guidance you can apply right away.

SSLA is your opportunity to step beyond day-to-day work and invest in the leadership side of the profession. You’ll connect with engaged peers from across the country, trade ideas that work, and leave with a clearer roadmap for strengthening impact both locally and nationally.

Why Attend SSLA?

The EA community needs strong, prepared leaders. Whether it’s within NAEA or in practice, the profession needs people who can bring others together, move initiatives forward, and elevate the voice and visibility of enrolled agents. SSLA is where leadership is developed with intention, helping boost the profession through people who are passionate about the credential.

Who Should Attend

If you care about the future of the EA profession and want to lead with more skill and intention, then SSLA is built for you. Whether you’re exploring involvement, already active, or preparing for bigger responsibilities, this academy helps you grow into the kind of leader the profession needs.

This event is especially valuable for:

Enrolled Agents ready to expand their leadership inside NAEA
Practitioners who want to develop stronger influence, communication, and collaboration skills
Emerging leaders looking for mentorship, connection, and a clear next step
EAs who want to help shape the direction, visibility, and strength of the profession

Members leave with skills, perspective, and relationships that continue to pay off long after the event. If you are not a member, but interested in events like this, then join NAEA today.

The Experience

Leadership Workshops: Learn practical, repeatable leadership tools you can use immediately, whether you’re leading a conversation, a committee, a project, or a larger initiative.

Real Peer Discussion: Work through the challenges leaders face, share what works, and learn from experienced EAs who’ve been in the room where decisions get made.

Stronger Connection to the Profession: SSLA is about stepping into service and influence, building the leadership capacity that strengthens NAEA and elevates enrolled agents nationwide.

Pricing

Advance Ticket

Member-Only Event

^$245

Must have completed the standard track first.

Standard Ticket

Member-Only Event

^$195

This ticket includes access to all SSLA general sessions.

Refund Policy

Tickets are non-refundable but are transferable to another member. Transfers are accepted until April 5th, 2026. After that date, no transfers will be accepted. Exceptions are made on a case-by case basis. If you require assistance, please contact education@naea.org, as there is limited seating, a waitlist will be enabled for those wishing to attend. Contact education@naea.org or 202-822-6232 with any questions.

Agenda

SSLA Agenda

SSLA is being hosted at the NAEA Office (1100 G Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005). Your schedule will vary depending on whether you’re enrolled in the Standard or Advanced courses. Use the color key below to identify which sessions are included in your agenda.

Please note that on Thursday, NAEA will provide a light breakfast, coffee and tea available throughout the day, lunch, and afternoon snacks. The evening outing will also include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. On Friday, a light breakfast will be served, with coffee and tea available all morning prior to the wrap-up around noon.

Standard with Assignments
Advanced with Assignments
Joint with Assignments

Thursday, May 7

8:00 – 8:50
Welcome
Leadership
Breakout 1: Partner introduction

8:50 – 9:50
Breakout 2s: Leadership Styles
YOU are NAEA – Opportunities to Serve

8:50 – 9:50
Broader Scope of Leadership
Breakout 2a: Four Corners

9:50 – 10:10
BREAK

10:10 – 11:20
Belonging to NAEA
Breakout 3: Commonalities
Breakout 4: I am/I am not

11:20 – 11:50
Breakout 5s: Communication Styles

11:20 – 11:50
Breakout 5a: Positive Language

11:50 – 1:15
LUNCH

1:15 – 2:30
Writing Reports/Motions/Background
Breakout 6s: Committee Report w/Motion

2:30 – 3:00
Strategic Thinking

1:15 – 3:00
Sharing Personal Leadership Stories
Breakout 6a: Power/Pivot
Breakout 7a: Mind the Gap

3:00 – 3:20
BREAK

3:20 – 4:20
Breakout 7s: Financial Literacy
Preparation for Meetings/Follow-Up to Meetings

3:20 – 4:20
How do Chapters Affect the Culture of NAEA?
Create Action Plans for Improvements at NAEA

4:20 – 5:00
Assign roles for mock committee meetings in morning and break out into groups and do an overview of expectations

5:30 – 7:30
Group Outing

Friday, May 8

8:00 – 9:40
Committee Meeting Role play; Debrief
NAEA Operations/Website Tour

9:40 – 10:00
BREAK

10:00 – 11:30
Leadership and Member Engagement Challenges
Breakout 8s: Member Challenge/Difficult People
Video on Vulnerability
Breakout 9s: Communication Equation

10:00 – 11:30
Presentation of Action Plans
Discussion: How to Best Inform/Engage/Recruit/Retain Members

11:30 – 12:00
Wrap-up: The Future of our Association, Evaluations, Certificate Ceremony

Hotel

Reserve a Room

Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center
901 L Street NW, Washington, District Of Columbia, USA, 20001

The Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center is the closest hotel to the SSLA venue, located just under 0.4 miles away.

Room Rate: $309 + Taxes/Fees
There is limited availability. Please submit your request as soon as possible, as they are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
To stay at this hotel within NAEA’s small room block, attendees must complete the reservation request form below. NAEA staff will make the hotel reservation on your behalf.

PLEASE NOTE: Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel. We are not affiliated with any travel agencies, travel planners, or third-party booking services. If you receive a call or email claiming to book your room on your behalf, please treat it as unsolicited and verify details with the hotel before providing any information.

REQUEST RESERVATION

Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf
725 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf is a modern, waterfront hotel right in The Wharf district—great if you want to be steps from restaurants, the marina, and venues like The Anthem, while still being close to the National Mall. It’s a 9 minute Uber/Lyft ride to the NAEA office. If you are staying for Fly-In and SSLA, this is a great option, as some events happen right at the Wharf in the Van Scoyoc Associates office.

Phone Reservations:
(202) 554-1234
Please ask for the “National Association of Enrolled Agents Block.”

Friendly Reminders: After clicking the booking link, please update the dates at the top of the page to match your travel needs. April 8, 2026 is the last day to book within the group room block.

BOOK ROOM

View of the Hyatt

2025 Recap

SSLA 2025 Recap

Health & Safety

NAEA’s Personal Accountability Commitment

By attending an NAEA event, you agree to follow health and safety practices that support the well-being of all participants. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing a mask if you choose and refraining from attending if you are feeling unwell or have recently been exposed to COVID-NAEA is not responsible for any health-related issues that may arise as a result of participation. Attendance is at your own risk.

Duty of Care

NAEA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and NAEA staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, NAEA staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by NAEA’s Duty of Care Plan.