Introducing the 2026 IREM Leadership Track sessions 

New this year at the IREM Leadership Forum, the Leadership Track offers focused education for attendees who want to grow their leadership skills within the property management profession.

Running concurrently with chapter breakout sessions, the track includes four leadership-focused sessions designed to support those in the leadership pipeline without reducing chapter-specific programming. Tailored to feedback from past attendees, this new offering adds value to the ILF experience by giving participants practical, relevant leadership development - both in the context of IREM and the property management industry. 

Keynote speaker Mike Robbins

In today’s fast-moving world of hybrid work, relentless change, and widespread burnout, organizations don’t just need sharper strategies—they need deeper connection. 

Mike Robbins is an internationally recognized expert in teamwork, leadership ,and emotional intelligence. For the past 25 years, Robbins has advised many of the world’s leading brands on how their leaders and teams can engage with each other effectively, lead with authenticity, and create a culture that is conducive to success, loyalty and trust. His entertaining and engaging presentations bring a unique perspective on the importance of humanizing the workplace, which allows people to connect more deeply with each other and themselves. Robbins offers actionable content and down-to-earth techniques that lead to results.

Prior to his speaking, writing, and consulting career, Mike was drafted by the New York Yankees out of high school. He turned the Yankees down and instead chose to play baseball at Stanford University, where he pitched in the College World Series. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals out of Stanford and played three seasons of professional baseball in the Royals organization before arm injuries ended his playing career while still in the minor leagues.

After his athletic career was cut short, Mike worked in sales and business development for two Internet startups. When the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, it allowed him to follow a deeper passion – empowering and inspiring people – and opened the door for him to start working full time as a speaker, author, and coach.

Opening session speaker Zach Mercurio

Zach Mercurio is an author, award-winning researcher, and leadership development facilitator specializing in mattering at work, meaningful work, purposeful leadership, and positive organizational psychology. He’s the author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance and The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose.

He’s worked with hundreds of organizations and governments worldwide, and his work is featured in The Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Forbes, Psychology Today, The Denver Post, CNBC, and on ABCNews.