12th LEAD WHERE YOU STAND
Leadership, Human Flourishing
& Artificial Intelligence
June 4-5, 2026
Hilton Santa Barbara
Beachfront Resort
Notification Form
If you are interested in being notified with the 2026 registration opens, please complete the notification form.
Hosted by Westmont College, Lead Where You Stand is rich with content for established as well as emerging leaders. World-class speakers will inspire you to lead well and pursue the greater good.
Did you see FORBES mention LEAD? Here are some highlights from 2024
Beachfront Location Hosts Powerful Leadership Insights
Thought leaders converge for two immersive days exploring transformative ideas for developing as a leader, pursuing human flourishing and understanding the role of artificial intelligence. Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, you’ll gain tools and insights to help you thrive amid the complexity of effective leadership.
The 2025 conference will take place at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, steps from the Pacific Ocean. The full lineup of speakers will be updated in the coming days.
2025 Speakers
Gayle D. Beebe
President, Westmont College
David Brooks
New York Times columnist and bestselling author
Tyler VanderWeele
Director of The Human Flourishing Program
Date & Location
June 4-5, 2026
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
With topics featuring leadership, human flourishing and AI, the 2026 Lead Where You Stand conference is projected to attract a greater number of attendees. The venue selected to accommodate this year's conference is the beautiful and comfortable Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, an oceanfront oasis.
For conference attendees coming from out of the area, the location is conveniently close to beaches, dining and a host of popular destinations for visitors.
Santa Barbara
Westmont College is pleased to host Lead Where You Stand in Santa Barbara, known as the American Riviera, a city nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and Pacific Ocean. Beautiful scenery and temperate climate make Santa Barbara a popular destination. You'll enjoy easy access to mountains, beaches, and a vibrant downtown with shops and restaurants.
Santa Barbara mixes a big-city art scene with small-town charm. Natural beauty and close proximity to Los Angeles create a vibrant and inspired locale offering a variety of local musical and theatrical ensembles, classical music, dance, art galleries, and an international film festival.
The city is accessible via the Santa Barbara Airport, Amtrak and Highway 101.
Lodging recommendations are coming soon.
Secure Your Spot
Mark your calendar for a content-rich conference for leaders and teams seeking to build culture and organizations that succeed and make an enduring impact on society. World-class speakers will inspire you to lead well and pursue the greater good. You’ll leave inspired and equipped to deepen your impact in your field and in your community.
Westmont is pleased to announce a larger venue to accommodate more attendees this year. Individuals, teams and groups of all sizes are welcome.
Registration is coming soon.
Lodging
Get Your 3rd Night Free.
Dining
Lead Where You Stand is for You
Discover how enriching and refreshing it is to invest time in your own professional development. You are welcome to attend individually, or with friends or colleagues. Teams are encouraged to register together.
Lead Where You Stand speakers offer insights that help attendees grow leadership skills across industries, perceive current trends and address timeless leadership challenges.
Each year, attendees come from every field. Whether you work in arts and entertainment, business, education, ministry or non profits, medicine, engineering…or another field entirely, this is your time and space to grow as a capable, moral leader.
Need More Reasons to Attend?
Insightful content—every year, speakers bring a depth of insight in their field. Past speakers include:
Networking and team building. Whether you arrive on your own or bring your team, you’ll have opportunities to discuss your learnings over meals and between sessions.
Full access to the recordings of each session. With your conference ticket, you can watch playbacks from your computer, tablet, or smartphone at your leisure!
Santa Barbara. Stay on for the weekend and discover why Santa Barbara is called the American Riviera. Enjoy beaches, hiking, fine dining and more.
To learn more about the Lead Where You Stand conference, contact lead@westmont.edu