2026 Keynote Speaker
Tony Cattani
Principal
Lenape High School, Lenape Regional High School District
Tony Cattani is the principal of Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey, where he has served for 19 years with an unwavering commitment to students, staff, and community. He is the 2025–2026 National Association of Secondary School Principals, a national honor recognizing exceptional school leadership and impact. Under his leadership, Lenape High School has become known as a model for the development of educators, student voice, and character-driven education, with a culture in which students and staff feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.
A visionary leader, Mr. Cattani has championed authentic professional collaboration and has built structures that allow educators to learn from one another in meaningful, sustainable ways. His belief that “our best resources are each other” has come to life through more than 4,000 peer observations, collegiality cafés, and solving circles that encourage reflection, shared practice, and collective growth. He has modeled that same spirit of learning by observing fellow school leaders, sharing best practices at professional conferences, and elevating the work of educators across the country through the Proud Principals Podcast.
Mr. Cattani’s journey to educational leadership began at Rowan University, where he first enrolled as a business major before discovering his true calling in education. A formative experience volunteering at Special Olympics with his football coach, K.C. Keeler, helped reshape his path and deepen his sense of purpose. He later earned his bachelor’s degree from Rowan in 1998 and his master’s in educational leadership in 2002. His career in the Lenape Regional High School District has included service as a teacher at Cherokee High School and assistant principal at Shawnee High School before becoming principal of Lenape High School.
Known as a tireless advocate for young people, Mr. Cattani consistently places student well-being, academic growth, leadership, and belonging at the center of every initiative. His leadership is grounded in relationships, purpose-driven work, and a deep belief that every person matters. In addition to his work at Lenape, he serves on the executive committees of both the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, extending his influence and advocacy well beyond his own school community. As he continues to represent New Jersey on the national stage, Mr. Cattani exemplifies the very best of school leadership: vision, humility, collaboration, and a steadfast dedication to helping others become the best version of themselves.