CLEVELAND – The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) will host the N4A Innovation Summit on December 10^th, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern / 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Pacific, via the Zoom platform.

Theme

"Leading Through Legacy: Sustaining Innovation and Advocacy in Collegiate Athletics"
This year's Innovation Summit will invite academic and student-athlete development professionals to reflect on the evolving landscape of college athletics to redefine how we support, lead and connect within our various communities. Additionally, participants will engage directly with thought leaders, participate in interactive sessions, and explore innovative strategies that address the academic, social and wellness needs of today's student-athletes.

Objectives

• Inspiring Innovation in Student-Athlete Support: Participants will be encouraged to rethink and refine how they meet the evolving needs of student-athletes. With challenges growing more complex, innovation in support services is essential to ensure relevance, responsiveness, and holistic development.
• Expanding & Strengthening Leadership Pathways: Participants will be provided with tools and insights to develop, mentor, and retain emerging leaders. A stronger leadership pipeline enhances sustainability and representation across our profession.
• Navigating Systemic & Structural Changes: Participants will gain strategies to respond to and lead through policy shifts, departmental reorganizations, and broader cultural changes impacting college athletics. The ability to adapt and lead during uncertainty is critical to long-term program impact and professional resilience.

Format

Using the Zoom platform, participants will engage in:

• Keynote sessions featuring thought leaders in innovation and higher education.
• Interactive panels and Concurrent Sessions focused on actionable strategies.
• Networking opportunities to connect with peers and share ideas.

Keynote Speakers

Bonny Shade is a nationally recognized speaker, educator, and advocate dedicated to creating safer, more inclusive communities. As the founder of Bonny Shade Speaks, LLC, she delivers powerful keynotes, interactive workshops, and custom curriculum focused on sexual violence prevention, healthy relationships, and leadership development.

Aaron J. Tillman is the founder of Inspire Hope Collective, LLC, a wellness-forward consulting practice focused on mental health, equity, and athlete-centered development. A therapist and certified facilitator, Aaron designs immersive experiences that equip student-athletes, administrators, and staff with tools for resilience, cultural competence, and leadership. His work emphasizes trauma-informed and identity-conscious strategies to help athletic organizations adapt to today's evolving landscape.

Raquel Montalvo Perez is a Career Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh and a former international student-athlete from Cochabamba, Bolivia. She specializes in identity-conscious leadership and student-athlete development, presenting nationally at NACDA/N4A and NCAA conferences. Raquel's work focuses on creativity, accountability, and purpose-driven strategies to help professionals and student-athletes thrive amid change.

Registration

• N4A Member: $50
• Non-N4A Member: $75
  CLICK HERE to register for the summit!

Social Media & Engagement

Follow us on Twitter @nfoura, Instagram @nfoura12, and use the hashtag #N4AInnovation for updates and community engagement.

About N4A

N4A is a diverse educational service and professional non-profit organization committed to enhancing academic, athletic, and personal success for student-athletes. For more information, visit www.nfoura.org.