This study describes the background, development and delivery of an innovative approach to prepare elected state association leaders for their new leadership roles in their respective state organizations.State-based professional associations face unprecedented threats to scope of practice in the current volatile healthcare environment. In 2009 the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) began offering a Leadership Development 'Boot Camp' for all nurse anesthetist state association presidents-elect designed with the intent of providing the participants with information, resources and tools they need in their new role.An organizational assessment examined the philosophy of and need for leadership development across the entire organizational structure.Recommendations from the assessment included the need for intensive leadership development at the state level. A 3-day intensive workshop was designed and implemented. Adult learning theory was used for its development.The success of this programme has lead to its implementation as part of leadership development of the AANA.Nurse managers and elected volunteer leaders in state-based professional associations face similar challenges requiring sound leadership ability. Principles applied to the development of the AANA programme can be applied to leadership development for new nurse managers.