AAFCS Leadership Summit

Welcome to the 2025 Leadership Summit! 

Join us for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Leadership Summit, where professionals from diverse fields come together to inspire, learn, and lead. This summit is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with members, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and learn best practices that can elevate your career and impact your community. 

Why Attend the AAFCS Leadership Summit

  • Connect with Members
  • Engage in Discussions
  • Learn Best Practices
  • Expand Connections
  • Earn PDUs
  • Experience Louisville
  • Have Fun!

About AAFCS 

Founded in 1909, AAFCS is the premier professional association representing family and consumer sciences professionals. Our mission is to elevate the profession by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families, and communities. Join us in our commitment to making a positive impact and achieving optimal quality of life for all.

Follow the event online! Use AAFCS_LS

NEW THIS YEAR! Innovation Labs 

At this year's summit we are introducing Innovation Labs: hands-on workshops hosted by sponsoring partners, designed to ignite creativity, foster collaboration, and drive breakthrough solutions. In just one power-packed hour, FCS professionals will contribute to strategy development, challenge conventional thinking, and unlock game-changing ideas to elevate their work.

September 27th
  • Educated Choices
September 28th
  • Zwilling
  • National Technical Honor Society
  • Kids Feeding Kids

Event Details

Louisville, Kentucky - Galt House

September 26-28, 2025

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Destination: Galt House Hotel, Louisville - The Galt House

Hotel Information 

The Galt House
140 N Fourth St
Louisville, KY 40202
Deadline to Book: Extended until the hotel runs out of rooms! Don't miss out, book your room today.

Explore Louisville with AAFCS! 

Get ready to experience the charm, culture, and creativity of Louisville, Kentucky, with AAFCS! Enhance your Leadership Summit experience by joining us for three different enriching educational excursions! 

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Dine Around with AAFCS! 

Sign up to visit a local restaurant with fellow event attendees led by AAFCS Staff and Board. Meet someone new, exchange ideas and insights from Summit, and enjoy great conversation over dinner!

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Daily Outfit Themes

Friday - Team Spirit: FCS Strong!

Celebrate collaboration and community by wearing affiliate or school shirts, AAFCS colors, or your favorite FCS gear. Add a personal touch with bandanas, bold socks, or buttons to show team pride.

Saturday - Rooted in Purpose

Reflect on your FCS foundation by wearing earth tones, neutrals, denim, or vintage pieces. Accessorize with pins or symbols that represent your school, state, or FCS history.

Sunday - Think Forward, Lead Bold

Embrace future-focused leadership with vibrant colors, standout patterns, or sleek, modern styles. Include a symbolic item that represents your career goals or FCS pathway.

Announcing the Keynote Speaker - Matt Bergman

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Dr. Matt J. Bergman is a nationally recognized leader in higher education whose career is dedicated to advancing access, persistence, and success for adult learners. He serves as a Partner Faculty member at the University of Louisville and a Senior Fellow at Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education, where he leads statewide initiatives in Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and adult student success.

Dr. Bergman is the Founder and President of the Center for Academic Innovation, a nonprofit organization helping colleges and universities scale best practices in CPL, adult student–ready strategies, and innovative academic models that meet the needs of today’s learners and workforce.

His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, NPR, Inside Higher Ed, and TIME Magazine. He is the co-author of Unfinished Business: Compelling Stories of Adult Student Persistence and is currently leading a new anthology, Beyond the Degree: Stories of Adult Learner Comebacks. 

Recognized with multiple national and regional awards—including the ACHE Distinguished Program Award, the AAACE Malcolm Knowles Award for Adult Education Program of the Year, and the AAACE Curriculum Innovation Award—Dr. Bergman has also been honored at the University of Louisville with the ACHE South Outstanding Faculty Award and as a Top 4 Faculty Favorite. 

Beyond higher education, Dr. Bergman is an entrepreneur and community advocate. He manages historic commercial real estate projects in Southern Indiana, blending preservation and innovation to support local economic development. 

At the heart of his work is a simple belief: every learner’s experience has value, and when recognized, it can transform lives, families, and communities. 

Educational Session Highlight - William Ryan

The CLEAR Method: Mastering the Art of Delegation

Effective delegation is more than task handoff—it’s a strategic lever for team growth and performance. This session introduces the CLEAR framework (Choose, Level set, Enable, Agree, Review) and demonstrates how leaders can transform delegation into a powerful development tool. Through a case study, interactive discussion, and practical application, participants gain actionable strategies to strengthen accountability, foster clarity, and build capacity across teams. Ideal for leaders and talent professionals seeking scalable solutions for workplace performance.

Bill Ryan is dedicated to helping organizations navigate the evolving workplace with confidence. As Principal Consultant of Ryan Consulting, he brings over 25 years of experience in workforce development, leadership strategy, and learning technology integration. His work focuses on aligning Purpose, People, and Process to build teams that don’t just adapt but thrive.

Certification Exams

At the Summit, a special paper-based administration will provide an opportunity to sit for one of the following exams, each corresponding to one of the AAFCS professional certifications: 

  • FCS Composite Exam: CFCS - Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS Exam): CFCS-HDFS - Certified in Human Development and Family Studies
  • Personal & Family Finance: CPFFE- Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator
  • Nutrition and Wellness Educator: CNWE – Certified Nutrition and Wellness Educator

Click here for exam information and to access assessment materials. The DISCOUNTED COST for this special paper-based testing (PBT) at the Leadership Summit is $50.00. Assessment administration will be on Monday, September 29. To register, simply add the exam item during the registration process for the workshop. Once registered and paid, you will be contacted to identify the specific content exam.