JFLAC helps build future leaders in audiology.
JFLAC 2024 will take place in-person at the Academy headquarters in Reston, Virginia, September 12-14, 2024. The James Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (JFLAC) provides an abundance of opportunities to its selected attendees. From the development of leadership skills and gaining confidence in oneself to the creation of long-term relationships and networking opportunities, JFLAC attendees will benefit for years to come. The Academy is committed to increasing the awareness and participation of a diverse group of applicants in the 2024 Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (JFLAC) and beyond.
Participants receive reimbursement for most travel costs (i.e., airfare, mileage, public transportation to-and-from destination airport) from the Academy. Lodging and majority of meals during the time of the conference are also covered by the Academy.
The application for the 2024 JFLAC is now open. See details below.
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"My favorite parts were the OKR discussion, SWOT discussion, and DISC exercise/discussion. The briefs on different entities within AAA were all also very beneficial. Fantastic 3 days with all kinds of things I took away from it to improvement myself as an audiologist and leader as well as motivation to contribute to academy in various ways."
Kyle Shepard, AuD
JFLAC Class of 2022
"JFLAC 2022 was undoubtedly the best experience of my career thus far. My JFLAC classmates quickly became my friends and support system, always ready to lend their expertise and advice well beyond the few days we spent together. I was—and still am—continually inspired by them."
Maria Pomponio, AuD
JFLAC Class of 2022
Who Is Eligible to Attend?
Current Academy members with 6-15 years of experience as an audiologist (externship year not included).
Applications are being accepted Monday, April 1-Friday, May 3, 2024. Notifications will be made in mid-June.
How to Apply
Complete the 2024 JFLAC Application before the application deadline.
The application consists of four (4) essays questions and a letter of recommendation. All information is required.
Essay Questions – to be answered in 200 words or less
- What are your professional leadership goals and aspirations over the next five years? What do you hope to learn from attending 2024 JFLAC that might help you achieve these goals?
- Describe two of your recent or current leadership positions, whether related to professional or other responsibilities. What have these experiences taught you about facilitators or barriers to effective leadership? Alternatively, if you’ve not held leadership positions in the past, why are you interested or motivated to become a leader now?
- Describe one challenge facing the profession of audiology. What might be your future role in addressing this issue, and how might attending 2024 JFLAC help you achieve this?
- How do you feel your participation in 2024 JFLAC will help you engage and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in your workplace and in the profession of audiology?
The letter of recommendation should include the recommender’s name and how they know you. It should also speak to attributes/qualities that support your attendance at the 2024 JFLAC.
In an effort to present a more objective, fair, and balanced application review process, please ask the writer of your letter to refrain from using identifying information such as your name, geographic settings, positions, and titles as much as possible.
Questions about the application, the application process, or the conference in general can be sent to jflac@audiology.org.
JFLAC 2024 Schedule of Events
Day One: Thursday, September 12 |
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| Time | Topic | Presenter |
| 8:00-8:30am | Welcome and Group Introductions | Bopanna Ballachanda, PhD Academy President |
| 8:30-11:00am | Review Agenda, History of JFLAC, Perspectives of Past JFLACers with Story Time Activity | Virginia Milne, AuD Devon Weist, AuD |
| 11:00-11:15am | Break | |
| 11:15am-12:15pm | Overview of the Academy:Mission, Core Values, Councils, and Organizational Structure | Patrick Gallagher, MBA Executive Director |
| 12:15-1:00pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00-3:00pm | Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) Review and Activity | Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA |
| 3:00-3:15pm | Break | |
| 3:15-3:45pm | Developing a Culture of Giving: AAA Foundation Review | Tricia Scaglione, AuD |
| 3:45-5:15pm | Five Things that Keep Audiologists Up at Night | Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA Patrick Gallagher, MBA Devon Weist, AuD |
| 5:15-6:00pm | Travel to Dinner | |
| 6:00pm | Dinner | |
Day Two: Friday, September 13 |
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| Time | Topic | Presenter |
| 8:00-8:15am | Review Agenda
Regrouping from Day 1 |
Rachael Sifuentes, MA, CAE Devon Weist, AuD |
| 8:15-10:00am | Advocacy and Outreach Updates and Activity | Susan Pilch, JD |
| 10:00-10:15am | Break | |
| 10:15am-12:15pm | Closing the Research-to-Practice Gap Through Implementation Science Discussion on Clinical Practice Guidelines, Expert Consensus Statements, and Position Statement | Ursula Findlen, PhD |
| 12:15-1:00pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00-2:30pm | Building Your Team: Cohesiveness, Inclusivity, and Curiosity | Kwame Curtis, AuD |
| 2:30-2:45pm | Break | |
| 2:45-4:00pm | Embedding Leadership in Your Career Trajectory | Hilary Steele, AuD |
| 4:00-5:00pm | Putting Core Values into Action: PAC and Academy Involvement | Melissa Heche, AuD |
| 5:15-6:00pm | Travel to Dinner | |
| 6:00pm | Dinner | |
Day Three: Saturday, September 14 |
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| 8:00am-1:00pm | DiSC Analysis | Janice Coe, PCC (Coach Certification Training Academy) |
| 1:00-2:00pm | Working Lunch: Where Do We Go From Here? | Devon Weist, AuD |
JFLAC has proven successful.
JFLAC has been highly successful, with more than 95 percent of the attendees taking on leadership roles in the Academy and other audiology organizations. JFLAC graduates have served as Academy committee chairs, council chairs, members of the Board of Directors of Academy partner organizations, and elected to serve on the Academy Board of Directors.
Where Are JFLAC Graduates Now?
The Leadership Development Committee caught up with past graduates of JFLAC to answer the age-old question: where are they now? Find out what past graduates have been up to and how their experiences from the conference put them on a path of leadership.
“Attending JFLAC imparted the value and necessity of national volunteers who reflect the “average” clinical audiologist. JFLAC taught me that I had potential to be a leader and provided me with tools and opportunities to develop skills to seek new challenges for the second half of my career.”
Brenna Carroll, AuD
JFLAC Class of 2010
“The relationships built during JFLAC make me excited to attend conventions each year, they engage me in the Academy, they push me to stretch farther and do more for my profession, but most importantly they encourage me to keep working because our future is brighter if we work collectively and collaboratively.”
Jessica Messersmith, PhD
JFLAC Class of 2018
"It is hard to believe that I attended over a decade ago, and am happy that this program continues to recruit passionate audiologists and help train them to assume leadership positions within the academy and also their careers.”
Bre Myers, AuD, PhD
JFLAC Class of 2012
Conference History
Recognizing the need to develop future leaders of the profession of audiology, Academy leadership launched the Future Leaders of Audiology Conference (FLAC) in September 2008. The conference has been held biennially since that time and was renamed in 2012 to honor the leadership of one of the Academy’s founders and its first president, Dr. James Jerger.
