GAEL

What GAEL does

GAEL (Georgia Association of Educational Leaders), founded in 1974, is a private nonprofit professional membership association headquartered in Athens, Georgia, serving as a statewide umbrella organization for Georgia's public-school leaders. It unifies seven professional affiliate associations — GAESP, GAMSP, GASPA, GASSP, G-CASE, GACIS, and SSTAGE — each representing distinct educational-leadership roles such as superintendents, principals, curriculum and instruction supervisors, special education directors, and HR directors. Membership-tier revenue (annual dues, some bundled with conference registration) is the recurring base, complemented by event-based conference revenue (in-person $715 and livestream $300 per attendee, with 1,400+ Summer Conference attendees plus a Winter Conference) and a third stream of corporate sponsorships, exhibitor fees, and annual partnerships (e.g., a disclosed $30,000/year Corebridge Financial exclusive sponsorship, 129 Summer Conference vendors).

GAEL's product portfolio spans flagship annual conferences (Summer Conference at Jekyll Island; Winter Conference in Athens), the Aspiring Principals Academy and New Principals Institute leadership-pipeline programs, an executive Coaching Division underwritten by a three-year Georgia Department of Education grant, Micro-Credentialing Courses issuing digital badges in leadership coaching, crucial-conversations training, literacy leadership, and G-CASE ADA, plus the GAEL UnscriptED podcast launched in 2025. The organization also runs free GAEL Advisors matching, hearing-officer training, and a Capitol Opinion legislative-session newsletter. Revenue-mechanism-wise, monetization combines recurring subscription-style membership, one-time conference registrations, and tiered corporate sponsorship/booth packages with multi-year contract cadences at the top end (Diamond Sponsorship).

Distribution is a vertical, event-driven GTM: direct membership recruitment through professional networks and district outreach, channeling through seven affiliate associations as quasi-resellers, and event-anchored acquisition via Summer/Winter conferences. Leadership (Executive Director Dr. Jimmy C. Stokes; COO Dusty Smith; Co-Directors of Coaching Dr. Rickey Edmond and Kerensa Wing) operates with a lean 1-10-employee core staff, scaling delivery through the seven affiliates, university partners (UGA, Georgia Southern, University of West Georgia), and approximately 29 documented annual corporate partners spanning edtech, safety, finance, and benefits.

Name

GAEL

Legal name

Georgia Association of Educational Leaders

Website

https://gael.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GAEL is a Georgia statewide nonprofit professional association founded in 1974 that unites seven affiliate associations serving the state's public-school educational leaders through membership dues, annual conferences, executive coaching, leadership academies, micro-credentialing, podcasts, and legislative advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Governance Bodies & Board/Trustee Administration (EDADAKAL)

Keywords

• Educational leadership development
• Professional association services
• School administrator training
• Education policy advocacy
• Principal preparation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide access to professional development, networking, conferences, and resources for Georgia school leaders. Membership includes GAEL and affiliate associations.
2. Conference Registration: Revenue from in-person and livestream conference registrations. In-person registration is $715/person and includes complimentary 2026-27 GAEL & affiliate membership. Livestream is $300/person.
3. Sponsorships and Exhibitor Fees: Corporate sponsors and exhibitors pay for various sponsorship levels including Diamond Sponsorship at conferences, annual partnerships with logo placement on website and marketing materials, and booth rentals at events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GAEL is a statewide professional membership association that provides professional development, leadership training, and legislative advocacy for educational leaders in Georgia. It operates as an umbrella organization for seven affiliate associations and delivers its value through annual conferences, principal preparation programs, executive coaching, micro-credentialing courses, webinars, a podcast, and free advisory services. Members are Georgia public school superintendents, principals, assistant principals, curriculum leaders, special education directors, and HR directors.

Product overview

GAEL (Georgia Association of Educational Leaders) is a statewide professional association serving as an umbrella organization for school leadership groups in Georgia. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional development programs including the GAEL UnscriptED Podcast, Micro-Credentialing Courses (offering badges in leadership coaching, literacy leadership, and other focus areas), Aspiring Principals Academy, New Principals Institute, and the GAEL Coaching Division providing executive coaching for school leaders. The organization also delivers recurring conferences (Summer Conference at Jekyll Island and Winter Conference in Athens), Hearing Officer Training, a Fall and Spring Webinar Series, and advisory services. These programs work together to provide year-round professional growth, networking, and leadership development for Georgia's educational leaders from aspiring administrators to superintendents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GAEL UnscriptED Podcast: A podcast featuring conversations with Georgia's education leaders covering topics such as leadership development, school improvement, teacher retention, and education policy.
• GAEL Micro-Credentialing Program
• GAEL Aspiring Principals Academy
• GAEL New Principals Institute
• GAEL Coaching Division

Products and services

• GAEL Summer Conference
• GAEL Winter Conference
• Aspiring Principals Academy
• New Principals Institute
• GAEL Coaching Division
• Micro-Credentialing Courses
• GAEL UnscriptED Podcast
• Fall and Spring Webinar Series
• Hearing Officer Training
• GAEL Advisors
• GAEL Membership
• Corporate Sponsorship and Exhibitor Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,400 education leaders attend the annual Summer GAEL Conference
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Georgia 4-HcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing youth development programming and Summer GAEL coastal programs for families. Georgia 4-H operates at UGA and reaches all 159 Georgia counties with classroom access, summer camps, and student leadership opportunities.
• UGA Mary Frances Early College of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership supporting doctoral programs in educational leadership. Partnership includes joint podcast episodes and professional development opportunities for GAEL members.
• Georgia Southern University College of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing professional development and educational leadership preparation programs for GAEL members.
• University of West GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership supporting educator growth, retention, and professional development through EDS and doctorate programs. Partnership includes joint podcast episodes featuring Dr. Mike Dishman.
• American FidelityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing voluntary benefits and insurance services for educators. Sponsors podcast episode on educator benefits and recruitment/retention strategies.
• FranklinCovey EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing professional development and leadership programs. Sponsors GAEL events and programs.
• CentegixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing school safety technology including CrisisAlert system. Partnership includes podcast episode on school safety and Alyssa's Law compliance.
• Kloud-12minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing classroom safety technology including cameras and intercom systems. Partnership includes podcast episode on safety and instruction technology.
• Corebridge FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner paying $30,000 per year for exclusive sponsorship of the Low Country Boil and Past Presidents' Dinner.
• PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Georgia's largest educator association (91,000+ members) for advocacy, coaching, grants, and professional learning. Collaboration on legislative advocacy and educator support.
• GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for leadership development programs including trust-based leadership, school improvement, and teacher retention initiatives. Joint podcast episodes and professional learning collaboration.
• Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for strategic planning and school improvement initiatives. Collaboration on district leadership development and policy advocacy.
• UGA JW Fanning Institute for Leadership DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for youth leadership programs including Youth Lead Georgia and Youth Leadership in Action curriculum. Joint podcast episodes and statewide leadership programming.
• Georgia Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership providing executive coaching program through a three-year grant. Collaboration on literacy initiatives, standards alignment, and professional development.
• American Book CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing educational publishing and assessment materials.
• Varsity BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing school athletics and activities brand merchandise and programs.
• ABMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing facility services and building solutions.
• Engage2LearnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing professional learning and coaching services for schools.
• EcovasiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing technology solutions.
• Edge AmplifyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing educational consulting services.
• Bowen Grad/Herff JonesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing graduation and achievement recognition products.
• Mark III Employee BenefitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing employee benefits consulting.
• Ramsey EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing financial education and curriculum.
• Parrish ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing construction and facility services.
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company UnitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner and supporter of GAEL events and programs.
• PAGE Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing professional development resources.
• BPI PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner providing photography services including headshots and event photography.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AASA (The School Superintendents Association): National professional association for school superintendents offering professional development, advocacy, and networking. Directly comparable as a peer membership body for school system leaders, but at national scale rather than state-level.
• ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development): Global community for educators focused on curriculum, instruction, and supervision — directly comparable to GAEL's Curriculum and Instruction Leaders segment and G-CASE affiliate (curriculum/instruction supervisors).
• NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals): National association serving elementary and middle-level principals with leadership development, awards, and advocacy programs. Strongly comparable given GAEL's principal-focused academies (Aspiring Principals Academy, New Principals Institute).
• NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals): National association for middle and high school principals offering Principal of the Year recognition, professional learning, and advocacy. Kerensa Wing (GAEL Coaching Co-Director) is a 2020 NASSP National Principal of the Year, evidencing direct programmatic overlap.

Direct peers

• GSBA (Georgia School Boards Association): Georgia-based association for school board members and superintendents on district governance and policy. Documented GAEL strategic partner; comparable as a state-level education governance membership body in the same state.
• CASE (Colorado Association of School Executives): Colorado statewide professional association for school superintendents, principals, and central-office leaders. Most direct structural analog to GAEL — a state-level umbrella for multiple school leader affiliates with conferences, advocacy, and PD.
• PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators): Georgia's largest educator association (91,000+ members). GAEL's most direct in-state peer and a documented strategic partner; both compete and collaborate for the same Georgia educator membership and advocacy influence.
• CCOSA (Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration): Oklahoma's statewide umbrella organization for school administrators across multiple affiliate associations. Operates a structurally similar model to GAEL: affiliates for superintendents, principals, HR, and curriculum leaders under one umbrella.

Emerging players

• GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement): Georgia-based nonprofit specializing in school improvement and leadership development; documented GAEL partner. Comparable as a Georgia-only leadership development organization, but more narrowly focused on school improvement frameworks than GAEL's broader umbrella.
• Learning Forward (formerly National Staff Development Council): National professional learning association focused on educator professional development standards and training. Comparable through GAEL's micro-credentialing courses, coaching programs, and webinar series, though Learning Forward is content-standards focused rather than advocacy-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gaelassoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/GAELGeorgia
• Instagraminstagram.com/gaelassoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GAEL