Dr. Jason Leahy currently serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Principals Association, a professional organization supporting more than 7,000 principals, assistant principals, deans, and school leaders across the state of Illinois. An experienced educational leader, strategist, advocate, and innovator, Dr. Leahy has dedicated his career to supporting school leadership development and advancing the future of education.

Since joining the Illinois Principals Association in 2006, Dr. Leahy has helped lead significant organizational growth and statewide innovation initiatives. Under his leadership, the association has experienced more than 60% membership growth while expanding its influence and impact throughout Illinois and beyond. Dr. Leahy played a key role in the creation of the School Leader Paradigm, an innovative leadership framework developed collaboratively with state principal associations across the country, as well as the development of the School Leader Evaluation Plan, which became Illinois’ default principal evaluation model.

Dr. Leahy has also led the expansion of professional learning opportunities for educational leaders through online Administrator Academies, the creation of Micro-Credentials now utilized within alternative principal endorsement pathways, and the development of the Ed Leaders Network, which serves more than 100,000 educators with online, on-demand professional learning. In addition, he has helped strengthen educational advocacy efforts through innovative member engagement strategies and statewide leadership initiatives.

Jason is passionate about leadership development, innovation in education, and creating systems that equip leaders to thrive in increasingly complex environments. His work continues to influence educational leadership, professional learning, and school culture across Illinois and nationally.

Residing in Springfield, Illinois, Jason and his wife, Ashlee have been married for more than 20 years and are the proud parents of five children.