L+D EXPEDITION

Build a Team. Design Change.

L+D Expedition is a national design challenge hosted by Leadership+Design, built for independent and public school teams ready to reimagine education through curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and action. 

Over five months, teams of 5–7 educators will engage in a dynamic blend of professional learning, coaching, and real-world design work, culminating in an optional in-person pitch competition that will occur during the 2026 NAIS Annual Conference in Seattle to compete for $15,000 in prizes.

While teams are encouraged to define their own design challenges, many will work within one of the following priority areas that reflect current needs and opportunities in education:

  • Student-Engaged Learning — Creating more meaningful, personalized learning experiences, especially to improve outcomes for boys

  • Civic & Community Engagement — Strengthening social fabric and community connection within and beyond school walls

  • Technology & AI in Education — Leveraging emerging tools to enhance teaching, learning, and ethical awareness

  • Student Wellbeing & Digital Literacy — Addressing the intersection of mental health, tech use, and school culture

  • Professional Growth & Assessment — Reimagining educator learning, collaboration, and feedback systems

Top scoring teams not presenting in Seattle will be awarded L+D Program Credits.

Why Join L+D Expedition?

Leading Change is a Team Expedition

  • Build and test your skills in empathy, prototyping, and storytelling

  • Design real solutions to your specific school-based challenges

  • Build internal team capacity to lead and inspire change and innovation

  • Collaborate with a national network of changemakers and L+D’s design experts

  • Share your innovation journey and earn recognition across the broader L+D community

 What You'll Experience

  • Monthly webinars on design thinking practices

  • Asynchronous Design Thinking Course with targeted materials for Team Captains

  • Lightning Talks featuring thought leaders and innovators

  • Biweekly inspiration drops in our private online community

  • Personalized coaching to guide your design journey

  • An Expedition Field Kit with swag and design tools

  • Team membership to L+Doers Unite — a $800 value included

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Key Dates

  • May–September 2025: Recruitment + Registration

  • October 2025: Kickoff + Orientation

  • November 2025–January 2026: Professional Learning, Prototyping, and Team Coaching

  • January 2026: Pitch Competition Opt-In Applications Open

  • February 1, 2026: Final Submissions Due for Invitation to the Live Pitch Event & Award Ceremony

  • Late February 2026: In-Person Pitch Event held during NAIS in Seattle. WA

  • March 2026: Celebration and National Recognition

Note: L+D Expedition is not affiliated with NAIS, we are hosting the Live Pitch Event during the conference to reduce barriers for teams to participate.

Awards

Teams that opt in for the pitch competition will have the chance to compete for a $15,000 prize pool awarded to team members.

This includes:

  • $5,000 Grand Prize

  • 4 × $2,500 Runner-Up Awards

All completed submissions will be featured on the Leadership+Design website, announced at the Live Pitch Event and celebrated across our national network. Top scoring teams not presenting in Seattle will be awarded L+D Program Credits.

Cost

  • $3,500 per team
    Includes full professional development experience, coaching, SWAG, access to L+Doers Unite, entry to pitch competition for prizes and national recognition.

  • Note: Participation grants are available for schools with demonstrated financial need. Email Tara@leadershipanddesign.org.

About Leadership+Design

Leadership+Design builds the capacity of leaders to be reflective changemakers, optimistic futurists, and human-centered design thinkers. L+D Expedition reflects our mission to create transformational, joyful learning experiences that move schools forward.

Ready to Join the L+D Expedition?

Registration opens May 2025 and space is limited — bring your team, bring your boldest ideas, and get ready to design what’s next.

Want to get involved as a design mentor, judge, or sponsor? Please reach out to Tara@leadershipanddesign.org.