Staff Close to 900 current and rising ASCE leaders from regions, sections, branches, institutes, institutes’ chapters, younger member groups, and student organizations throughout the nation took part in the 2026 edition of ASCE’s annual Multi-Regional Leadership Conferences.
The three gatherings in January and February in Chicago, Jacksonville, Florida, and Reno, Nevada, gave participants a greater understanding of ASCE’s organization, programs, and resources. Sessions helped develop and enhance leadership skills, and enabled interaction with Society-level leadership.
ASCE 2026 President Marsha Anderson Bomar, President-elect Carol Haddock, Interim Executive Director Maria Lehman, and Chief Operating Officer Edward Stafford provided updates on current Society initiatives including next year’s ASCE2027 gathering in Philadelphia.
In addition to a Society leaders Q&A session, Anderson Bomar offered a compelling call to action, telling attendees they share in a responsibility to “market” civil engineering to the public, and to youth given the industry’s workforce challenges. Haddock offered inspiration to the aspiring leaders by sharing her own fascinating career journey.
Society Assistant Treasurer Ken Mika led interactive sessions on forging connections as a leader today and how to lead “through clarity, connection and courage.” The Committee on Developing Leaders provided another interactive session on communication strategies shown to strengthen volunteer boards.
Local leaders left each of the three MRLCs feeling motivated, energized, and inspired to go home and share their newfound knowledge and resources with their constituent groups. For the Leader Training Committee, it was another mission accomplished.
