ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) convened the inaugural class of its Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) at the 2026 NACDS Total Store Expo (TSE), bringing 49 dean-nominated student pharmacists and 16 college of pharmacy deans from 25 states and the District of Columbia into the largest gathering of retailers and suppliers in the health and wellness industry.
"The student pharmacists who joined us in Boston are entering the profession at a pivotal moment of transformation," said NACDS president and CEO Steven Anderson. "The opportunities for pharmacists to expand their impact on healthcare have never been greater. Our responsibility is to help these future leaders understand the tremendous possibilities our industry has to offer, equip them with the tools and network to succeed, and inspire them to help shape the future alongside NACDS. The Emerging Leaders Academy is a long-term investment, and we intend to make it a permanent part of how this Association cultivates the next generation of pharmacy leadership."
Over three days, the class moved between structured programming, networking, and the TSE Exhibit Hall itself. Sessions examined how technology is reshaping pharmacy operations now and in the years ahead, the trends and forecasts defining the industry, federal advocacy and the case for engaging in it, state advocacy and the role individual pharmacists play in it, and pharmacy innovation and services.
Students met directly with the NACDS Board of Directors and joined retailers and suppliers at the Total Store Expo Reception and other networking events across the weekend. The design was deliberate, emphasizing the importance of community pharmacy practice and providing a broader perspective on industry dynamics, including direct exposure to the business relationships that provide needed products and services to people and communities.
The class also took part in one of TSE's signature traditions, the Product Showcase, where suppliers featured their newest offerings across ten categories and more than 100 entries. The ELA class selected favorites from select categories, adding the perspective of the profession's next generation to an event built around identifying the products that will help customers and communities thrive.
The Academy debuted the same weekend that NACDS previewed its new strategic framework, which will build on NACDS’ established infrastructure for sustained progress and evolve toward new and necessary approaches to shape the future of pharmacy and strengthen members’ return-on-investment.
With its first class complete, the NACDS Emerging Leaders Academy becomes an enduring point of connection between student pharmacists and the retailers, suppliers, and advocates who make up this industry. NACDS will continue to work with colleges of pharmacy across the country to identify future participants and grow the program.
Video from the inaugural NACDS Emerging Leaders Academy is available on NACDS-TV. For more information on Total Store Expo, visit tse.nacds.org.
