Speakers

Speakers A-M

 Jim Anderson, CAE, President, Associations   West 

 Association Leaders Situation Room: Solving   Today’s Real-World Challenges

 Jim supports the Board and its committees in   developing and implementing the strategic plan,   organizational policies, and programs. He also directly staffs the Board of Directors as well as the DEI, Legislative, Audit, and Nominating committees. He is responsible for daily operations, including financial management & reporting, and staff supervision. Jim previously worked for the United Way California Capital Region for 16 years, and was its Executive Vice President when he left to join Associations West.

 Monette Anderson, VP of Membership and   Education, Washington Society of CPAs

 Superfan Strategies: What   Associations Can   Learn from the Savannah Bananas

 Monette Anderson, a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Gallup Strengths Coach, brings a wealth of program management experience in the non-profit sector to her roles at the WSCPA and the WA CPA Foundation. With over 20 years of expertise gained from esteemed organizations like PBS and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Monette currently serves as the Vice President of Member Services and Education for the WSCPA and Executive Director of the WA CPA Foundation. As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Monette complements her mission by empowering others and creating stronger organizational cultures and teams. This certification has equipped her with the insights and tools to help individuals and teams discover and optimize their unique strengths.

 Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF,   CEO, Vista Cova

 Forecast Fluency: Learning How to Look Ahead

 Lowell is the CEO of Vista Cova, a company   that partners with organizations on strategic   visioning and planning, creating stronger   stakeholder connections, and reimagining value and engagement.  As an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator, Lowell frequently provides dynamic sessions to organizations – getting volunteers, members, and staff involved through experiential learning approaches.

After starting his career in the informal education realm, over the course of more than a decade, Lowell has worked inside associations on membership and value, volunteer leadership establishment and growth, professional development and learning, global alliance building, communications and marketing, online and in-person communities, operations, finance, HR, and staff oversight. After serving as the Chief Operating Officer for a medical association, Lowell founded Vista Cova – returning to his passion of facilitating for and partnering with volunteer leaders, members, and staff.

Karl Baur, CAE, CMP, Senior Executive Director, Association Resource Center (ARC)

ABCs of AMCs: A Transparent Conversation About How Association Management Companies Really Work

Karl joined ARC in March of 2023, after ten years with a medical association and 18 years as an independent meeting planner.  In his role as a Senior Executive at ARC, he serves as the Executive Director for two statewide clients and manages the vendors and staff who support them.  He has held his CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation since 1998 and earned the CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation in 2022.  When not hanging out with family and friends, he fills his time with Tae Kwon Do and gaming (tabletop/roleplaying games).
 

 Elizabeth Cardwell, CAE, CMP,   Account   Executive, Smith Moore   & Associates

 ABCs of AMCs: A Transparent Conversation   About How Association Management   Companies Really Work

Elizabeth Cardwell, CMP, CAE is an account executive for Smith Moore & Associates. Prior to starting with Smith Moore & Associates in 2007, she worked in the Communications Office of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs where she served as the assistant to the Public Information Officer. Since then, she has incorporated the knowledge and experience gained there into her varied positions throughout the years with Smith Moore & Associates.

Elizabeth is now responsible for all aspects of her clients’ operations, including board governance, administration, budget development and membership recruitment and retention. She is also responsible for the planning and execution of all meetings and conferences for her clients including site selection, on-site management, hotel relations, program development, sponsorship generation and financial tracking. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys decorating baked goods, and soaking in all things Disney. 

 Vanessa Dennison, CAE, CBAP,  Principal, Dennison & Associates

 The Post-AI Association: What Business   Models Survive?

 

Vanessa Dennison, owner of Dennison & Associates, is a Certified Association  Executive and Certified Business Analyst Professional. She has more than 20 years’ experience working with dozens of trade and professional associations and unions, both as a staff member and an industry vendor. She applies proven expertise, industry best practices, and a deep commitment to each client to deliver superior results. Vanessa leads a growing team of leading association consultants with a variety of skills.  Together, we share a singular focus on serving our clients and delivering value no matter your size, budget, or needs.

 

 K'ai Roberts Fu, Video Editor, Cat-Herder-in-   Chief, Magnus Media Group

 Speak with Confidence: Public Speaking Skills   for Association Executives

 Once so shy, a boss handed her a book on how to make conversation, K’ai transformed her skills through training and experience and now coaches others to speak confidently on stage and on camera. A graduate of the esteemed HEROIC Public Speaking: Performance Mastery program, she has emceed numerous events since 2009, including as “Alex Faux-bek” at Event Industry Jeopardy. K’ai has spoken at the Mensa Annual Gathering and for Women Business Owners of Seattle. She looks forward to sharing practical strategies to help association leaders communicate with clarity and confidence - no game show hosting required.

 

 Candice Graham, Assistant   Director of   Membership,   American Physical Society

 From Mundane to Meaningful:   Humanizing   Engagement through Tech and Recognition

Candice is a mission-driven executive specializing in global business management, operations, and engagement. She currently manages a team responsible for a $15M+ portfolio supporting 50 executive committee operations, over 200 recognition programs, and partners with boards and executive leadership to deliver strategic, inclusive, best-in-class engagement experiences worldwide. With credentials including an MBA, M.Ed., CAE, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and PMP, Candice brings both academic rigor and practical execution to complex, member-driven ecosystems and operational management. She has a proven record of strengthening governance, modernizing legacy systems, and launching award-winning programs that drive growth, transparency, and impact. Passionate about advancing mission-driven organizations, Candice leads with a people-first mindset, aligning strategy to mission while building cultures of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

 Kim Gusman, President & CEO, California   Employers Association

 Association Leaders Situation Room: Solving   Today’s Real-World Challenges

 Kim is an experienced HR Generalist, a   dynamic speaker, and a proven leader who   has been successfully leading CEA since 2002. Thoroughly immersed in human resources and operations for over 25 years, she has a variety of HR experience in retail, insurance, and manufacturing environments and exhibits her comprehensive bank of knowledge and crystal-clear strategic guidance with CEA members and staff every day.

Kim earned her BA degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources from the University of Puget Sound. Kim is a founding member of the Employers Association of America (EAA) and regularly meets with other HR and association leaders to learn best practices and offer more services for our members. She has served on the board of directors for Associations West and the California State Workforce Investment Board. Working with over a dozen workforce boards across the State, she currently sits on the Sacramento Works Board (SETA).

When Kim is not working to provide Peace of Mind for employers, she enjoys visiting her daughters in Austin and San Diego, traveling across the US with her husband, and spending time with family and friends.

 

 Jeff Harry, Rediscover Your Play

 Your Conference Format Is Obsolete -     Designing Conferences For Connection

 Jeff is an international speaker who has   presented at conferences  such as INBOUND,   SXSW, SHRM National, and Australia’s   Pausefest, showing audiences how major issues in the workplace can be solved through play.

Jeff was selected by Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers for his organizational development work around addressing toxicity in the workplace.

​His play work has been featured in the NY Times, NPR, Mashable, Upworthy, Shondaland, & Wired. While we spend most of our time pretending to be important, serious grownups, it's when we let go of that facade and play, that the real magic happens. Fully embracing your own nerdy genius — whatever that is — gives you the power to make a difference and change lives.  

Alison Hart, Founder & Chief Strategist, A. Hart Associates

Best Board Ever: Intentional & Strategic Recruitment That Leverages Thought Leadership

Alison Hart brings to the table more than 30 years of experience leading and developing organizations. As a former CEO in the association industry, Alison has rich experience with associations, small business, nonprofit, government, economic development, and tourism. Alison has built a career helping leaders achieve their visions by creating alignment, increasing bottom lines, building partnerships, and guiding the process to create lasting change. She is a seasoned facilitator both virtually and in person guiding executives through a proven strategic planning framework for long-term adoption and outcomes. Alison is living her passion of helping leaders sharpen their focus, evolve the conversation, drive consensus, and ensure lasting change. She has obtained the CAE and is a graduate of Western Society of Chamber Executives Academy program.

 Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate

 When You Know Too Much: Overcoming a   Common Psychological Bias to Boost Non-   Dues Revenue

Carrie McIntyre founded Navigate, a sales and customer experience consultancy that helps associations reach their revenue destinations. She’s known for helping association staff feel confident wearing their sales hat and turning association industry partners into enthusiastic advocates through exceptional customer experiences. With a 30-year career that began in association membership and marketing, Carrie transitioned to sales and customer success roles at several for-profit companies serving associations before starting Navigate in 2023. She’s an active member and content contributor for ASAE, TSAE, and PAR.

 Jeff Milde, CAE, CEO, Calma Association   Management Company

 Association Leaders Situation Room: Solving   Today’s Real-World Challenges

Jeff is the Owner/CEO of the Calma Association Management Company and has over 30 years of non-profit management experience.   During his career, he has worked for stand-alone non-profits and multiple association management companies in a variety of capacities from small associations to large international associations.  He received his BS degree from San Jose State University and his MBA from the University of San Francisco.  Jeff is a member of both the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and Associations West (formerly California Society of Association Executives).  In 2002, he received his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.  Jeff has been married for nearly 30 years to his wife, Jennifer, a practicing physician in Obstetrics & Gynecology. He has two sons that keep him busy. Jeff stays active in his community by participating in several local organizations including Scouts, Rotary and DeMolay. He loves traveling, cooking, backpacking and SCUBA diving.

 

Speakers M-Z

Amy Morrisey, President, Artisan Learning

Turn What Your SMEs Know Into What Your Learners Need

Amy Morrisey is the president of Artisan Learning, a custom learning design firm. As president, she stays focused on maintaining the high standards their clients have grown to expect and building a company people want to be a part of. Before working with Artisan, Amy spent 17 years in corporate training and development, predominantly teaching advocacy, sales, and leadership development. She also coached teams and executives on communication. She is a past board member of ATD Detroit. When time allows, Amy loves to go all in on designing meaningful and actionable learning experiences.
 

 Matt Ott, MS, FASAE, CAE, CMP, AAiP, CEO &   Co-Founder,   Momentum Association   Management

 Leading Your Board Fearlessly: Transforming   Risk-Averse Directors into Strategic   Champions

Matt Ott is an award-winning association executive with over two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit and association sectors. As a seasoned strategist, Matt specializes in transforming associations and nonprofits into financially resilient, future-focused organizations through expertise in governance, strategy, events, member programs, and revenue growth. His leadership consistently produces sustainable growth by expanding membership, building robust sponsorship and partnership programs, and developing innovative non-dues revenue streams. As CEO of Momentum, Matt brings this experience to associations seeking to elevate their operations, sharpen their strategy, and achieve sustainable growth. Clients value his ability to quickly assess challenges, design tailored solutions, and drive measurable results that strengthen both mission and bottom line. 

 

 Jessica Pettitt, MBA, CSP, Med, Founder,
 Good Enough Now

 From Obstacles to Opportunities:   Strengthening Culture &   Leadership

 Perhaps it’s her Texas roots, but Jess Pettitt, MBA, M.Ed., CSP, believes that to really thrive in this world, you have to ride two horses—one of giving and one of receiving. For Jess, the giving horse is her passion for service, and the receiving horse is the high she rides
entertaining audiences. For almost 10 years, Jess rode one horse by day, serving as an administrator in student affairs for university Diversity and Inclusion programs, and the other by night, performing and hosting three times a week doing stand-up in New York City’s most popular comedy clubs (ask her about George Carlin’s nickname for her or sharing an eggroll birthday cake with Bob Newhart).
Eventually, Jess discovered she could ride both horses at the same time in the same career, and a speaker in the DEI space was born. Now, nearly 20 years and half a million audience members later, Jess gallops from coast to coast delivering her “Good Enough Now”
message to anyone willing to take the leap toward creating a much more inclusive (read: much more effective) organization. 

 

 Julie Shkolnik, VP Global   Accounts, HPN   Global

 Behind the Curtain of Association Meetings

 Julie Ciriello holds a B.A. in Hospitality   Management from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, and has built a career spanning more than 20 years in the hotel industry. She began in front desk and operations before moving into sales and marketing, where she spent two decades in leadership roles. In those positions, Julie was directly responsible for reviewing and approving contracts and bids prepared by her sales teams, giving her a deep understanding of both the client and hotel perspective. For the past 10 years, she has been with HPN Global, where she partners with corporate and association clients to source venues and negotiate contracts that balance protection for the meeting host with fair terms for hotel partners. Julie brings a unique perspective that bridges hotel operations, sales strategy, and third-party advocacy, making her a trusted resource in today’s evolving meetings landscape.
 

 Dani Siver, Director of Membership and   Events, Westside Economic Alliance

 When to Let Go: The Art and Heart of   Sunsetting Programs and Organizations

 Amanda Rae Smith, Senior   Account   Manager: Operations,    Smith Moore &   Associates

 ABCs of AMCs: A Transparent Conversation   About How Association Management   Companies Really Work 

Amanda Rae Smith is a Senior Account Manager at Smith Moore & Associates (SMA). She began her journey with SMA in 2015 as a receptionist and swiftly advanced to the role of IT Coordinator within five years. Throughout her tenure, Amanda has held various positions, gaining extensive knowledge in all aspects of association management. After a brief hiatus, she returned to SMA as an Account Coordinator and was soon promoted to Account Manager, then Senior Account Manager. In her current role, she oversees her client team to foster their professional growth and collaborates closely with Client Boards, providing expert advice and guidance.

Amanda’s passion for teaching is evident in her exceptional ability to train others on tools and resources. She is a strong leader and a thoughtful problem solver. Before joining SMA, Amanda worked in the fitness industry as a trainer and children’s gymnastics coach. In her free time, she enjoys video games, indulges in a good glass of wine and a book, and loves spending time with her dog and cat.

 

 Stephanie Stephens, CAE, Executive Director, 
 California Park & Recreation Society

 Association Leaders Situation  Room: Solving   Today’s Real-   World Challenges

After spending the vast majority of her life in Colorado, Stef took the plunge and came to beautiful California to serve as the Executive Director of the California Park and Recreation Society in spring 2014.  Her passion for parks and recreation, coupled with her love of non-profit management shows in the heart she brings to the work she does.  As one of only 5,000 Certified Association Executives (CAE) in the US, she also brings a strong knowledge base on non-profit management.  Managing a $2.5 million dollar budget and working with a team of 8, she works to advance the profession of parks and recreation through strategic initiatives, legislative efforts, action-planning and leadership.   When Stef isn’t busy in a meeting, developing a partnership or working on the next best resource for members, you can find her playing with her pup Milo, trying out a new recipe in the kitchen, or learning about tasty California wines. 

 

Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq., Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Ask the Association Attorney: Everything You Want to Know 

Jeff is a leading nonprofit attorney, author, lecturer, media commentator, and expert witness on association legal matters. As the Managing Partner of the nationally recognized Tenenbaum Law Group, a DC-based boutique law firm exclusively serving nonprofits, he advises senior management and boards of directors on legal, business, and governance issues. With 19 years at Venable, where he chaired the nonprofit practice, Jeff received the 2006 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer of the Year Award from the American Bar Association. Recognized in the U.S. Legal 500’s Not-for-Profit “Hall of Fame” and consistently ranked as a “Best Lawyer” for Nonprofits/Charities Law by U.S. News & World Report® since 2012, Jeff is a distinguished figure in nonprofit legal circles.

 

 Greg Wilson, Interim Executive Director, 
 Greg Wilson Consulting

 Is Your Association Ready? An Executive   Succession Readiness Toolkit

Greg Wilson has nearly 30 years' experience as staff and consultant in association management. With a deep understanding of the challenges facing member-based organizations, Greg has helped numerous associations develop plans that ensure leadership continuity and long-term sustainability. He specializes in guiding associations through executive transitions, interim leadership, and strategic recruitment. Greg’s insights are backed by research and case studies, providing practical strategies for immediate impact. He has served as board member and chair of a state society of association executives, is a member of Associations West and ASAE, holds the CAE designation, and has a master’s degree in public policy and administration.

Shannan Young, RDN, SNS, Partnerships and Programs Officer, Dairy Council of California

What Constitutes a Remarkable Association Today:  Rethinking the Seven Measures

Shannan is an entrepreneurial executive with a 30-year background in strategic management, science, education, and policy. A registered dietitian, she excels in building organizational and professional capacity through adaptive leadership and system change. With experience at local, state, federal, and international levels, Shannan has a proven track record in food and nutrition education, public health, and food systems transformation. As the Officer of Partnerships and Programs at Dairy Council of California, she leads initiatives like the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative and founded movements such as the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement of CA and the California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative. Shannan's leadership in associations like the California School Nutrition Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics demonstrates her commitment to building high-performing teams for impactful causes.

 Cindy Ziegler, Director of Governance and   Special Initiatives, Association for   Professionals in Infection Control and   Epidemiology (APIC)

 The Ethical Association Leader

Cindy Ziegler is the Director of Governance and Special Initiatives at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). She earned a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Virginia and is a member of the National Political Science Honor Society. Cindy has held numerous board leadership roles, including Board Chair of the New Canaan Community Foundation, President of the National Charity League, and founding Board member of Future 5, which supports under-resourced students. She is the Immediate Past Chair of ASAE’s Ethics Committee and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Governors of The University Club of Washington, DC, where she helped modernize bylaws and develop a Board Policy Manual. Cindy is a volunteer crisis counselor in DC and enjoys tennis, squash, yoga, and cooking for friends.