Gathering at the Gaylord National Resort in Oxon Hill, MD, felt like both a homecoming and a turning point. As the sun set over the Potomac, the atmosphere was one of renewal. As a member of the Cyber Chapter, I arrived at National Harbor with a digital-first perspective, but I left with a renewed appreciation for the power of physical community and the resilience of the human spirit.

From the high-energy “Drinks on the Dock(et)” to the quiet moments of reflection by the water, the conference provided a perfect blend of strategic insight and personal growth.

1. Opening Keynote: Reflections from National Harbor: The 6% Club

Opening Keynote by Dr. Michelle Rozen, Behavioral Scientist Topic: The Science of Peak Performance and the Daily Habits that Separate High-Achieving Individuals, Leaders, and Teams from the 94%

I had the opportunity to attend this opening keynote last month at the ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference & Expo in Maryland. Dr. Rozen provided a fascinating deep dive into why 94% of people struggle to stick to their goals, while the “6% Club” consistently achieves peak performance.

Key Insights from Dr. Rozen:

• Beyond the “Hustle”: Performance is not about working harder; it’s about the behavioral science of how we structure our habits.
• The 6% Habit Loop: Practical, science-backed rituals that separate top-tier leaders from the rest of the pack.
• Leadership Excellence: How to lead teams into that 6% bracket by fostering a culture of sustained excellence and cognitive focus.

It was an inspiring way to start the conference, and I’m looking forward to implementing these performance-driven habits within our own chapter work.

2. From Paper to Power: The Digital Foundation

The conference kicked off with a focus on modernization. I attended “From Paper to Power: Mastering Digital Migration in Legal Administration” with Robert Mattern. For our Cyber Chapter members, Robert’s session was a masterclass in the “how-to” of modernization. His roadmap for moving away from legacy paper systems toward a high-power digital workflow was clear: true power in legal administration today comes from data accessibility. You cannot lead a “New Normal” firm if you are still tethered to old-world filing cabinets.

3. Facing Adversity: The David W. Brezina Memorial Session

A profound highlight was the David W. Brezina Memorial Session, featuring J.R. Martinez. His presentation, “Facing Adversity with Optimism and Resilience,” was a masterclass in perspective.  J.R.’s story is one of unimaginable strength. While serving in the U.S. Army as a 19 year old infantryman in Iraq in 2003, he survived a horrific Humvee explosion that left him with severe burns over 34% of his body. His journey from that moment of survival through 34 surgeries to becoming a best-selling author and advocate reminded us that while we cannot always control the “explosions” that happen in our firms or lives, we have absolute control over our response. In a profession that often feels like navigating one storm after another, his message of choosing optimism is a practical strategy for long-term leadership.

4. A Moment of Recognition: The Power of Collaboration

The Monday Awards Reception was a deeply personal highlight. It was a proud moment to see the Elevate ALA Award recognize the collaborative work that was done last year.  Serving as Presidents for the Puget Sound Chapter and the Golden Gate Chapter, the goal was to prove that geography shouldn’t be a barrier to excellence. Seeing Javier Morelos and Meredith Taylor recognized for that partnership was a testament to what can be achieved when we break down chapter silos. For me, it reinforced why I value the Cyber Chapter so much—we are the living embodiment of the idea that collaboration knows no borders.

5. Community and Appreciation

We wrapped up the experience together at the Tuesday Appreciation Luncheon. Sitting with all the attendees, reflecting on the week’s lessons, it was the perfect “grand finale.” These shared meals are where the best networking happens—where we move from being individual administrators to a unified force for change in the legal industry. It was a moment to say “thank you” to the community that keeps us all moving forward.

6. Fixing the Foundation: Culture Without the Burn

The session that set the tone for my week was “Fix the Foundation: How to Heal a Toxic Culture Without Burning Down the House” with Lee Ann Enquist, JD. Lee Ann spoke directly to the “CEO mindset” we must adopt as administrators.  She challenged us to address systemic “structural debt” rather than just treating symptoms. For those of us managing hybrid or remote teams, her message was clear: cultural health is a system, not a feeling. If we don’t intentionally build a foundation of trust and clear governance, the “house” will eventually show its cracks, regardless of how efficient our technology becomes.

6. Closing Keynote: Leading in the Age of Uncertainty

In a world defined by economic volatility, AI advancement, and cybersecurity challenges, Heather McGowan’s closing session was a vital roadmap for modern leadership. She argued that leadership has evolved beyond simple command-and-control tactics. Today’s exceptional leaders acknowledge complexity as a reality and leverage curiosity over unrealistic certainty, asking better questions amid constant change.

Key Takeaways from Heather’s Session:

• Unlocking Potential: Forward-thinking leaders succeed by unlocking their teams’ natural capacity to adapt and innovate.
• Collective Intelligence: Moving from outdated models to strategies that nurture curiosity and build high-trust environments.
• Enablement vs. Management: Practical tactics for transforming management into enablement to drive results in a “working to learn” era.

Between Dr. Rozen’s peak performance habits and McGowan’s vision for the future, the conference provided a complete toolkit for leveling up our leadership in the coming year.

Final Thoughts

Walking through the Gaylord last month—moving from the intensity of the sessions to the quiet of the National Harbor waterfront—I realized that “Strengthening the Bedrock” applies to our association as much as our firms. Whether it’s a cross-country collaboration or a global conversation in the Cyber Chapter, our true stability lies in our shared resilience and our willingness to lead with optimism.

The conference provided a perfect “bookend” for this journey, starting with the internal science of high performance and ending with the external strategy of modern leadership.

Looking Ahead

The conference was a call to move from “learning to work” to “working to learn.” As I prepare for the transitions of this coming summer, I’m carrying that waterfront clarity back with me. By combining the personal disciplines of the “6% Club” with a leadership style rooted in curiosity, we ensure that our foundation—and the foundation of the Cyber Chapter—is not just fixed, but future-proofed.