The Ethos Leadership Exchange is intentionally designed to be small and intimate, fostering focused partnership building and meaningful group interaction.

We’ll begin with the partnership itself, helping each staff and leadership pair or group build the trust, processes, and commitments needed to keep their organization focused on what matters. From there, participants will look ahead to the priorities, tensions, and consequential decisions they expect in the coming year, and learn how other organizations are approaching similar circumstances.

This is not a traditional educational program with a predetermined curriculum and lectures. Participants and the issues they raise will drive the discussion, turning theory into real-time solutions.

Each leadership pair will have focused time to consider:

• How their unique roles and leadership styles can strengthen their partnership.
• Where greater clarity about expectations, communication, or decision-making is needed.
• What will require their shared attention during the year ahead.
• How they can focus the board, staff, and volunteers on organizational impact.
• What they can learn from the experience of other leadership teams.   

The emphasis is on candid conversation, collective insight, and practical application. Participants will leave with greater clarity about how they will work together, a shared understanding of the issues ahead, and a trusted cohort of association peers to learn from.

Jim Meffert | Founding Advisor, Ethos Advisors
Jim brings more than 30 years of experience leading national associations, nonprofit coalitions, and advocacy organizations, with deep expertise in strategy, facilitation, and board effectiveness. A systems thinker known as “the calm in the storm,” he helps leadership teams work through their toughest issues with clarity and purpose.

Greg Fine, FASAE, CAE | Founding Advisor, Ethos Advisors
Known as the “CEO whisperer,” Greg is a nationally recognized association leader and former CEO with experience in governance, strategy, and change. Known for spotting patterns others miss, he helps CEOS and boards get unstuck, whether they are modernizing governance, navigating an executive transition, or leading cultural change.

Lindsey K. Nelson, MBA, CAE | Founder and Principal Advisor, Ethos Advisors
Lindsey is an association leader with 20 years of leadership across national and global associations, known for helping CEOs and boards move from vision to disciplined, sustainable action. She leads Ethos Advisors’ approach to advisory and embedded leadership, with a focus on strategic planning, board governance, and building alignment across boards, staff, and stakeholders.

Wednesday, February 3 | Arrival Day
Settle in and meet your fellow attendees at an informal meetup in the hotel bar, Stephen F's Bar & Terrace, starting at 6 p.m. No program today, so come when you can.

Thursday, February 4 | Full Program Day
8:00 a.m. Breakfast & Registration
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Working sessions, peer exchanges, and facilitated discussions (lunch included)
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Hosted reception with drinks and light appetizers
Dinner on your own: a great chance to explore downtown Austin with your team or fellow attendees

Friday, February 5 | Half Day
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Action planning and closing session
12:00 p.m. Light lunch before departures

$899 per attendee

Your registration includes:

• All Leadership Exchange sessions and materials
• Thursday breakfast, lunch and evening reception
• Friday breakfast and light lunch
  
  

Registration closes January 8. Space is limited to 30 participants, so we encourage you to register early.

The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
701 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

The Stephen F. Austin sits on Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown, a short walk from the Texas State Capitol and close to Austin’s best restaurants and live music. It’s about 20 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

Hotel Room Block
We’ve reserved a block of rooms at a special group rate of $279 per night (plus applicable taxes and fees) for the nights of February 3 and 4. Rooms in our block are upgraded to Preferred or Junior Suite room types, and complimentary in-room WiFi is included. The hotel’s destination fee is waived for our group.

Book Your Room

Book by Wednesday, January 13, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. CT. After that date, rooms and the group rate are subject to availability. If you’d like to extend your stay, the group rate may be available up to three days before and after the event, depending on availability.

Who should attend?
The Leadership Exchange is designed for association CEOs and executive directors together with their board leadership, such as the chair, chair-elect, incoming president or executive committee members.

Do I have to bring board members?
We strongly encourage it, because the program is built around the partnership between the CEO and the board. CEOs attending on their own are welcome too.

When should I arrive and leave?
Plan to arrive Wednesday, February 3, and join us for the informal meetup that evening. The program wraps up at noon on Friday, February 5, after a light lunch, so early afternoon flights home work well.

Is my hotel room included?
No. Each attendee books and pays for their own room. Please use our group block so you get the discounted rate. The booking deadline is January 13, 2027.

Is there any pre-work?
Yes! Before the event, we’ll email you a short questionnaire to help us tailor the working sessions to your organization’s priorities.

What should I wear?
Business casual.

What is the cancellation policy?

Registrations are non-refundable. If you can’t attend for any reason, you have two options:

• Transfer your registration to another person for a $25 transfer fee. Transfers can be made online through January 29, 2027 using the “Manage My Account” link in your confirmation email.
• Hold your registration as a credit toward the next Ethos Leadership Exchange in 2028. To request a credit, email Lindsey Nelson by January 29, 2027 at [email protected]..
  
  

Who can I contact with questions?
Lindsey Nelson at [email protected]