GFOA Leadership Academy in Chicago

Offered at the GFOA's Training Center, August 23–28, 2026.

From the opening reception and dinner to the closing lunch, the week features a mix of sessions designed to spur individual learning, develop organizational insights, and nurture development of leadership skills. Sessions are intended to balance the role of the financial professional in state and local government with key trends in leadership for the public sector. Representative sessions include:

Self-assessments and other behavioral insights designed to help participants understand how they work—and how they can best contribute to their organizations
Leadership skills for the 21st century
Characteristics of great organizations
You and your organization
Values of public service
Case study preparation and presentations
Leadership discussions and reflections

Leadership Academy Insight

Who should attend?

Finance Directors, Assistant Finance Directors, Treasurers, Department Managers, City Managers, and Assistant City Managers

Tuition

Tuition of $2,500 includes all speaker and working sessions, weekday lunches, and several dinners and receptions.

CPE Credits

Attendees can earn 30 CPE credits through participation.

Leadership Academy Application

Leadership Academy is limited to 45 participants. The application deadline for the 2026 Leadership Academy in Chicago is June 26, 2026. Please note that, after reviewing applications, GFOA will select participants and notify them accordingly.

Leadership Academy Policies

View information related to applying, eligibility, refunds, and CPE credits.

Leadership Academy Brochure

Get all the details of the Leadership Academy in Chicago with this printable brochure.

Full Brochure Coming Soon

Chris Morrill

GFOA Executive Director

Shayne Kavanagh

GFOA Senior Research Manager

Erica Joseph Bergen

Founder, EJB Consulting

Robert O'Neill

Executive in Residence, Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities

Dr. Ulrich Jenson

Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University

If you are interested in applying for the next Leadership Academy, but are concerned about the costs for travel or lodging, you can also apply for a scholarship through the GFOA’s Leadership Development Scholarship program. GLDS is a program focused on providing scholarship funding to working professionals for in-person training provided by GFOA and our partners.

Applications for a GLDS scholarship are completed through the Leadership Academy application process. After submitting an application to the academy, the confirmation email will include details to complete a GLDS application.

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