AASHTO Leadership Institute (ALI)

The AASHTO Leadership Institute is a nine-day immersive professional development experience held in Lawrence, Kansas. ALI provides research-driven, professional instruction and the opportunity to engage and learn from other transportation professionals.

Participants will focus on self-discovery and learn practical management techniques. Over the course of the nine-day Institute, participants will also build their leadership skills and knowledge, learning to motivate and enable employees so their organizations can excel, and develop a greater understanding of transportation issues and resources, through engagement with national transportation leaders.

The content will be provided in a rich, experiential way. Participants can expect hands-on instruction, engaging discussions, and the opportunity to learn by doing.

ALI is designed to meet the needs of mid-to-high-level managers considered high-potential employees by their organizations. Candidates who attend ALI should be in a management position or hold a position with an organization-wide impact. Participants should be motivated to develop their managerial and leadership skills, be interested in self-exploration, and be prepared to engage in learning activities and group discussions. Institute participants are selected from among those nominated by AASHTO member departments and affiliates. Enrollment in the AASHTO Leadership Institute is always in high demand.

September 16-25, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas.

Registration is now open for ALI 2026. Nominations are treated as rolling admissions and evaluated based on the quality of the application. They are then allocated to ensure participation among the maximum number of states. Nominations should be submitted via the review dates in the table below:

To help you determine the most appropriate level of training for you and your team, we encourage you to email us with any questions. We will also host two open Zoom information sessions to share examples of positions and the leadership experience that best align with each of the three institutes. Our goal is to ensure you and your team attend the right institute at the right stage in your careers to maximize your impact!

The dates for these sessions are:

1. January 20, 2026 – Noon to 1:00 Central Standard Time

2. February 6, 2026 - Noon to 1:00 Central Standard Time

We look forward to helping you make the best training decisions for your team!

Questions about ALI? Contact Liz Foreman, lforeman@cmc-associates.com, (850) 224-7775.