NextUp Leadership Week 2026
Bring the Team
For the first time ever, NextUp is combining our two biggest events into one giant Leadership Week! Join us the week of Sep. 15 – 18 for NextUp Executive Forum and NextUp Leadership Summit, plus our 25th Anniversary Honors Evening. Bring the entire team to NextUp Leadership Week – our largest gathering ever, with more opportunities to connect, share and celebrate!
Built for This
This year at NextUp Leadership Week, we’re Built for This. In a moment shaped by constant change, economic pressure, and evolving expectations, readiness isn’t granted – it’s built. Leaders must develop new capabilities – working with incomplete information, adopting new technologies, being visible, and knowing when to pivot.
Grounded in 25 years of creating opportunities for women, this year’s Leadership Week will help leaders build what leadership now demands – sustaining ambition, judgment, and impact over the long arc of a career.
We are built to learn, to grow, to lead, to win.
We are built for this.
Schedule of Events
| September 15 | Evening: NextUp Executive Forum Opening Reception |
|---|---|
| September 16 | Day: NextUp Executive Forum Conference Evening: NextUp Leadership Summit Opening Reception NextUp 25th Anniversary Honors Evening |
| September 17 | Day: NextUp Leadership Summit Day 1 Evening: Summit Evening of Connection |
| September 18 | Day: NextUp Leadership Summit Day 2 |
In-Person
Open
Location
Gaylord Texan Resort1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051
Dates
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Friday, September 18, 2026
Registration fees
Forum Registration
Registration: $1995
Summit Registration
Early Registration: $2,350
(April 15 - June 30)
Regular Registration: $2,550
(July 1 - August 10)
Late Registration: $2,750
(August 11 - August 25)
Group (25+): $2,095
Anniversary Honors
Individual Ticket:$300
Table: $3000
Registration: $1995
Summit Registration
Early Registration: $2,350
(April 15 - June 30)
Regular Registration: $2,550
(July 1 - August 10)
Late Registration: $2,750
(August 11 - August 25)
Group (25+): $2,095
Anniversary Honors
Individual Ticket:$300
Table: $3000
Featured Speakers
Wayne Best
Chief Economist
Visa, Inc.
Wayne Best
Chief Economist
Visa, Inc.
As Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Visa, Wayne Best leads the company’s Business and Economic Insights team, providing expert analysis on domestic and global economies, economic forecasts, consumer spending, and the evolving payments landscape. Best is a frequent presenter to executive audiences and advises Visa leadership, clients, and government stakeholders worldwide on the economic trends shaping commerce and business performance. Known for blending an engineer’s discipline with a business-focused perspective, Best translates complex economic models into clear, actionable intelligence that supports strategic decision-making. He is regularly quoted in business and trade media and participates in global forums examining macroeconomic and geo-economic change.
Before joining Visa in 1990, Best worked as a consultant conducting cost-benefit analyses for the power industry. He holds an MBA, a degree in nuclear engineering, and has completed executive programs at Stanford University and the Kellogg School of Management.
Built to Anticipate
See Agenda Thursday, September 17
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Lisa Chang
EVP & Global Chief People Officer
The Coca-Cola Company
Lisa Chang
EVP & Global Chief People Officer
The Coca-Cola Company
Ryan Leak
Speaker, Entrepreneur & NYT Best-Selling Author
Ryan Leak
Speaker, Entrepreneur & NYT Best-Selling Author
Built to Fail
See Agenda Wednesday, September 16
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Diana Marshall
EVP & Chief Experience Officer
Sam's Club
Diana Marshall
EVP & Chief Experience Officer
Sam's Club
NextUp 25th Anniversary Honors Evening
See Agenda Wednesday, September 16
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Darren Rebelez
President & CEO
Casey's
Darren Rebelez
President & CEO
Casey's
Darren Rebelez is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Casey’s (NASDAQ: CASY), a FORTUNE 500 company operating over 2,900 convenience stores throughout the Midwest and South. As CEO of the third largest convenience retailer and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States, Rebelez offers a wealth of experience from his career as a senior executive in the convenience, restaurant and fuel industries.
Under Rebelez’ leadership, Casey’s has undergone a remarkable transformation, including several significant milestones: a brand modernization/reimaging, closing several significant acquisitions (including the largest in the company’s history), a digital transformation including the first rewards platform that currently boasts over 10 million members, launching a new e-commerce platform, relaunching the company’s private brand business, and publishing the company’s first ESG report.
Prior to Casey’s, Rebelez served as the President of IHOP Restaurants, a unit of Dine Brands Global, Inc.. While leading IHOP, the company grew to become the largest full service restaurant brand in the USA. Previous to IHOP, Rebelez worked at 7-Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Before 7-Eleven, Darren held numerous leadership roles within ExxonMobil Corporation.
Preceding his civilian career, Darren was an Army Ranger and Gulf War veteran. A native of San Diego, he is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Area Studies. He went on to also earn an MBA from the University of Houston.
In addition to his role at Casey’s, Darren serves on the board of directors of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), and as an advisory board member for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.
Reflections from the C-Suite
See Agenda Wednesday, September 16
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Melody Richard
Senior Vice President - Pantry
Walmart
Melody Richard
Senior Vice President - Pantry
Walmart
NextUp 25th Anniversary Honors Evening
See Agenda Wednesday, September 16
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
4
Days of Learning
40+
Speakers
1500+
Attendees
25
Years and Counting
Our Sponsors
Platinum
Presenting
Premier
Friend
Sponsors
Previous Conferences
NextUp Leadership Summit 2025
NextUp Leadership Summit is our largest event of the year – a celebration of everything NextUp, our community, and our mission! With over 1,600 attendees…
NextUp Executive Forum 2025
NextUp Executive Forum offers an opportunity to join senior leaders from all over the country as they come together to be inspired by world-class speakers and…
