Transformative Leadership Summit:Leading with Integrity, Vision, and Courage

Regardless of the sociopolitical climate, social workers remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing justice, equity, and community well-being. In an era marked by rapid change, polarization, and socioeconomic uncertainty, The Transformative Leadership Summit calls upon practitioners, educators, students and emerging leaders to rise with integrity, vision, and courage. This summit invites participants to explore innovative, evidence-informed strategies that strengthen leadership capacity, foster collaboration, and empower social workers to drive meaningful change across all levels of practice and policy even in polarized climates.

Call for Conference Proposals

Conference Title: Transformative Leadership Summit: Leading with Integrity, Vision, and Courage: A Call for Social Workers to Bridge Divides in Today’s Polarized Climate

Conference Dates:

February 27^th, 2026

Location:

In-Person Millersville University

Proposal Submission Deadline:

December 31^st, 2025

Overview

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW-PA) and Millersville University invites proposals for presentations, workshops, and panels for our upcoming conference, Transformative Leadership Summit: Leading with Integrity, Vision, and Courage: A Call for Social Workers to Bridge Divides in Today’s Polarized Climate. This event seeks to highlight the evolving roles of leadership within social work practice, education, policy, and community engagement.

As social workers navigate complex systems, leadership is not limited to formal titles it emerges in classrooms, agencies, communities, and movements for justice. This conference aims to showcase innovative approaches, critical reflections, and evidence-based practices that strengthen leadership capacity across all areas of social work.

Conference Tracks

Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

1. Transformative and Inclusive Leadership – Centering equity, cultural humility, and anti-oppressive frameworks.
2. Leadership in Practice and Policy – Influencing systems change, advocacy, and social justice reform.
3. Emerging and Student Leaders – Cultivating leadership among social work students and early career professionals.
4. Organizational and Community Leadership – Building resilient, trauma-informed, and collaborative organizations.
5. Leadership in Social Work Education – Pedagogical innovations and mentorship in developing future social work leaders.
6. Research and Evidence-Based Leadership Models – Data-driven approaches to leadership impact.

Proposal Types

We welcome diverse formats that foster engagement and dialogue:

• Individual Presentations (20–30 minutes) – Share research, case studies, or leadership initiatives.
• Workshops (45-60 minutes) – Facilitate interactive sessions focused on skill-building or applied learning.
• Panel Discussions (60 minutes) – Explore leadership topics through multiple perspectives.

Proposal Requirements

Each proposal should include:

1. Title of Presentation
2. Presenter(s) Name(s), Title(s), and Affiliation(s)
3. Contact Information (Email and Phone)
4. Abstract (250–300 words) summarizing purpose, objectives, and relevance to the theme.
5. Learning Objectives (3–4) that identify participant takeaways.
6. Session Format (presentation, panel, workshop, poster).
7. Target Audience (e.g., practitioners, educators, students, administrators).
8. Brief Bio (75–100 words) for each presenter.



Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on:

• Relevance to the conference theme.
• Contribution to advancing leadership knowledge or practice in social work.
• Clarity of learning objectives and session design.
• Engagement strategies and inclusion of diverse perspectives.



Submission Instructions

Submit your proposal via email to dlebo.naswpa@socialworkers.org

Notification of acceptance will be sent by January 16^th, 2026

For questions or inquiries, contact Dan Lebo at dlebo.naswpa@socialworkers.org

Keystone Award Nomination Information

Awards will be considered within the criteria stated below. Previous award recipients may not be considered for the same award. Non-members may be considered for nomination but must become an NASW-PA member in good standing. The Public Citizen of the Year is exempt from membership requirements. Nominations can come from any source -- NASW membership is not required.

Social Worker of the Year Award

The award recipient must:

1. Make a demonstrable difference in such areas as:

• Advocacy
• Social work practice
• Program development
• Administration
• Research

2. Demonstrate outstanding leadership

3. Contribute to a positive image for the social work profession

4. Take risks to achieve outstanding results

Mit Joyner Social Justice Award

The award recipient must:

1. Demonstrate all of the following:

• Devotion to social justice involving efforts to combat discrimination, inequality, and injustice, including but not limited to race, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ rights, economic disparities, and environmental justice.
• Commitment to collaboration and inclusivity
• Dedication to raising awareness and educating others about the importance of social justice

2. Have made a tangible and meaningful impact that has long-term sustainability

3. Innovate in their approach to addressing social justice issues

4. Shown resilience and courage in the face of adversity

Kristin Bowser Emerging Social Work Leader Award

The award recipient must:

1. Either be a current BSW/MSW student-enrolled in a CSWE-accredited program OR have five or fewer years of post-degree experience

2. Make a demonstrable difference in such areas as:

• Community service/leadership
• Advocacy
• Social Work Practice
• Education
• Research
• Management and leadership

3. Take risks to achieve results

4. Contribute to a positive image for the social work profession

Social Work Educator of the Year Award

The award recipient must:

1. Be an educator (adjunct or faculty) at a CSWE-accredited social work program, or an MSW educator at a community college that has an established articulation agreement with a CSWE-accredited college or university

2. Make a demonstrable difference in social work education in such areas as:

• Research
• Student development
• Teaching methods
• Advocacy
• Administration

3. Demonstrate outstanding leadership within social work education

4. Take risks to achieve outstanding results

5. Contribute to a positive image of the social work profession

Public Citizen of the Year

The award recipient must:

1. Make a significant contribution to an area or population of concern to the social work profession such as:

• At-risk or vulnerable populations
• Quality of life in communities
• Social justice issues, such as voting rights, immigration, economic justice, criminal justice/juvenile justice, and environmental justice

2. Act with courage

3. Demonstrate outstanding leadership

4. Exemplify social work values and ethics

Phyllis Black Lifetime Achievement Award

The award recipient must:

1. Meet all criteria for Social Worker of the Year

2. Demonstrate repeated outstanding achievements, as well as:

• Recognition beyond the social work profession
• Contributions of lasting impact
• Outstanding creativity

Nominations will be accepted until 12/31/2025. If you would like to submit a nomination please email dlebo.naswpa@socialworkers.org with the following information:

·     Your Name:

·     Your E-mail Address:

·     Your Cell Phone Number:

·     Nominee's Name:

·     Nominee's E-mail Address:

·     Nominee's Cell Phone Number:

·     Nominee's City:

·     What award you are nominating he/she/them for?

·     Provide a copy of the nominee's resume/CV or bio for review. LinkedIn pages set up in resume format are accepted in lieu of a formal resume -- provide link below.

·     Is the nominee currently an NASW-PA member in good standing?

·     How long and in what capacity have you known the nominee?

·     Why are they a good nominee for this award category?

o  Consider questions like:

o  In what ways does the nominee meets the listed criteria for the award category selected?

o  How does the nominee demonstrate leadership?

o  How has the nominee made a demonstrable difference? What are the long-term effects of their efforts?

o  What risks has the nominee taken to achieve results and/or what challenges have they had to overcome?

o  Is there any further information you would like to add or anything else you can provide to support the nomination?

·     If other people would like to support this nomination, you may collect letters of support and submit via email at dlebo.naswpa@socialworkers.org