2026 Tax Leadership Academy

Elevate Your Leadership Skills: Join the Premier Leadership Program for In-House Tax Professionals

In today’s landscape of increasing tax complexity and global uncertainty, in-house tax leaders must go beyond technical expertise to lead effectively. Tax Executives Institute (TEI) presents our second annual 2026 Tax Leadership Academy — an educational experience designed to elevate the strategic and leadership capabilities of in-house tax professionals.

Why Should I Join TEI’s Tax Leadership Academy?

TEI's Tax Leadership Academy has been developed to address the unique challenges faced by in-house tax leaders. Here's what makes our program stand out:

• Comprehensive Curriculum covering leadership, negotiation, change management, and strategic communication, all tailored to the specific needs of in-house tax professionals
• Blended Learning Environment offering flexibility with both virtual and in-person sessions, including exclusive workshops at TEI's Midyear and Annual Conferences
• Structured Mentorship Program to engage and learn from seasoned tax executives and TEI leadership
• World-Class Faculty of seasoned in-house tax leaders who bring a wealth of experience and insights from diverse organizational backgrounds
• Guest Speakers including C-suite executives like CFOs, past government officials, and other top tax professionals
• Created by in-house tax professionals who have ‘been there’ and have designed the program specifically for emerging in-house tax leaders
• Peer Benchmarking with classmates to enrich your learning experience and broaden your professional perspective
• Comprehensive Leadership Toolkits to serve as resources that reinforce your learning and assist you as you implement these new tools in your daily role
• Complimentary Registration for TEI’s Midyear and Annual Conferences to expand your global network across a vast network of professionals across various industries worldwide and gain valuable insights from top tax practitioners
• Earn up to 20.0 CPE credits as part of your attendance and participation

What Should I Expect?

TEI’s Tax Leadership Academy is for impact-driven, emerging TEI members who are eager to elevate their capabilities and influence within their organizations, and benefit from a network of global peers and world-class senior leaders. The TEI Tax Leadership Academy will take place from March – October 2026. The commitment is approximately 40 hours (class, pre-work and homework), conducted as two in-person sessions at TEI’s Midyear and Annual Conferences (approximately 6 hours/session), and three virtual sessions (approximately 3 hours/session). This blended model accomodates busy work schedules and combines interactive learning with real-world applications. In addition, we’re excited to offer informal meetups throughout the program, giving participants the chance to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another in a casual setting. Planned activities include:

• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Workshops
• Leadership Challenges and Simulations
• Expert Panels and Guest Speakers
• Interactive Group Discussions 

What Does the Agenda Look Like? 

• Cornerstones of Tax Leadership | March 14, 2026 (in-person at TEI's Washington, DC office, coinciding with the Midyear Conference): Understand the cornerstones of tax leadership, focusing on strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, to lead and manage effective tax functions. The session will be approximately six hours. 
• Negotiation and Influence | May 14, 2026 (virtual): Learn to navigate and negotiate complex discussions with stakeholders while maintaining compliance and business ethics. The session will be approximately three hours. 
• Leading Through Change | July 30, 2026 (virtual): Equip yourself with the skills necessary to lead your team through regulatory changes and organizational restructuring. The session will be approximately three hours. 
• Adaptability in Communications | August 27, 2026 (virtual): Master the art of communication to clearly convey complex tax issues to diverse stakeholders, ensuring clarity and compliance. The session will be approximately three hours. 
• Capstone Business Case | October 17, 2026 (in-person in Nashville, coinciding with the Annual Conference): Drawing on all of the skills you have learned throughout the Academy, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your new leadership skills as you tackle a real-world tax challenge and present a business case to a panel of in-house professionals. The session will be approximately six hours. 

Please take a look at the TEI Tax Leadership Academy Flyer for an overview of this new educational opportunity.

All applicants should have the following:

• Current TEI membership
• 8+ years of tax experience
• Direct reports or responsibility for supervision of employees' daily work 
• Level of manager/senior manager, assistant/associate director, department leader, or equivalent

What Will You Learn and What is the Academy Impact?

Upon completion, participants will be poised to:

• Drive Change: Lead effectively through the complexities of global tax environments and regulatory landscapes
• Enhance Talent Recruitment and Retention: Employ innovative strategies to attract, develop, and retain top tax talent
• Shape Stakeholder Perceptions: Influence stakeholders and align strategic objectives of your tax department
• Communicate with Authority: Deliver impactful communications that resonate across all levels of the organization

What Is the Investment?   

The registration fee is $2,950, which includes the full TEI Tax Leadership Academy experience, and attendance at TEI’s two marquis events, the Midyear and Annual Conferences, with special events planned for participants at the Conferences. Also included are supporting materials and resources, access to a learning platform, a cohort network, and mentor engagement.    

How to Apply

To apply, please fill out this application and include a letter of recommendation from your direct supervisor or a current TEI member. Admission to the Tax Leadership Academy is competitive, and space is limited. The Academy is designed to accommodate 15-20 professionals, and admission is not guaranteed. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with final decisions communicated accordingly. The final deadline for applications is February 6, 2026.