Countdown to LEAD Forum 2026

April 30, 2026

Silver Spring Civic Building

1 Veterans Plaza

Silver Spring, MD 20910

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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LEAD Forum is ideal for:  Executives and senior leaders evaluating procurement, funding, and diversification strategy 

BUSINESS RESILIENCE:

Adapting Business, Funding, and Strategy in a Shifting Government Landscape

Join Leadership Montgomery for the LEAD Forum: A one-day convening for entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofit organizations navigating disruption caused by recent Federal Government changes.

The LEAD Forum is for professionals at all levels who work with government, are considering entering that space, or are reassessing their reliance on it, and need practical insight to determine how funding, procurement, and policy changes should shape their organization’s next steps.

In partnership with the Montgomery County Business Center,  Leadership Montgomery convenes this cross-sector audience to strengthen understanding, readiness, and capability across the local business and nonprofit ecosystem, while creating opportunities to connect with government representatives, partners, and peers.


During this conference, participants will:

  • Analyze current federal, state, and county procurement and policy changes—and what they mean in practice
  • Identify viable pathways for growth, including opportunities within and beyond government
  • Understand compliance, registration, and operational requirements needed to compete
  • Explore funding strategies to diversify revenue and stabilize operations
  • Determine what to pursue, pause, or stop in the next 30–90 days
  • Leave with concrete next-step actions aligned to their organization’s strategy and capacity 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ernie Drew Jarvis

Vice Chairman, Savills Washington, D.C.

FORUM SCHEDULE

Time

Session*

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Registration, Breakfast and Exhibition Hall

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Session:

How Government Funding, Procurement, and Policy are Changing- and Why it Matters in Practice

10:30-10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45- 11:45 a.m

Breakout Sessions: Understanding

Track A: What Recent Federal Changes Mean For Risk, Cost, and Capacity

Track B: How Funding Choices Affect Staffing, Cash Flow, and Growth 

Track C: Leading Through Disruption

11:45-1:15 p.m.

Lunch and Impact Networking

1:15 p.m.- 2:15 p.m.

Breakout Sessions:  Applying

Track A: Choosing the Right Procurement Path

Track B: Choosing Revenue Models that Fit Your Organization

Track C: What Has to Change First When Resources Are Limited/What to Fix First When You Can’t Fix Everything 

2:15-2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions:  Acting

Track A: Assessing Fit before You Bid

Track B: Choosing Funding That Aligns with Your Capacity and Strategy

Track C: Aligning Strategy, Capacity, and Opportunity 

3:30-3:45 p.m.

Break

3:45-4:30 p.m.

Closing General Session: Turning Insight Into Action 

*Titles subject to change.

CONFERENCE PRICING

Early Bird  (Before March 30): 

Attendee Price: $40

Current/Former Federal Workers: $10

Regular Pricing  (After March 30): 

Attendee Price: $50

Current/Former Federal Workers: $10

EVENT SPONSORS

Sponsoring Partner

Convener Sponsors

Connector Sponsor

Connector Sponsor


BECOME A SPONSOR

Have questions about sponsoring this event? Contact Kaarmin Ford  kaarmin.ford@leadermont.org

  • 5 registrations
  • Discount on additional tickets
  • Company logo on day-of event materials 
  • Company logo and link on conference registration website
  • Exhibitor Table at the Conference

  • 3 registrations
  • Discount on additional tickets
  • Company logo on day-of event materials 
  • Company logo on conference registration website

  • 2 registrations
  • Discount on additional tickets
  • Company name on day-of event materials 
  • Company logo on conference registration website

  • 1 registration
  • Discount on additional tickets
  • Company name on day-of event materials 
  • Company name on conference registration website

LEARN MORE ABOUT

LEADERSHIP MONTGOMERY

CONTACT US


Address


Leadership Montgomery
6010 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20852


Phone | 301.881.3333

Sarah Burnett


Senior Director, Programs & Training

sarah.burnett@leadermont.org

Kaarmin Ford


Senior Director, Communications & Engagement

kaarmin.ford@leadermont.org

Wylea Chase


Senior Director, Collaborative Impact

wylea.chase@leadermont.org

Yesenia E. Regalado


Director, Training & Community Impact

yesenia.regalado@leadermont.org