This premier event, designed for senior-level association executives, provides a concentrated learning and networking environment where association CEOs and C-suite leaders can explore the challenges and opportunities shaping their organizations.

The two-day forum features an interactive format that fosters dynamic conversations and peer-to-peer engagement. Through thought-provoking sessions and expert-led discussions, ELF participants will gain invaluable insights to enhance their leadership effectiveness. This year’s ELF provocateur, Lori Anderson, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of the International Sign Association, will guide the program’s conversations, ensuring an engaging and impactful experience for attendees.

ELF 2025 will showcase an exceptional lineup of speakers, each bringing unique expertise and transformative insights:

• Sophie Grégoire Trudeau – A renowned mental health advocate and champion for gender equality, youth self-esteem, and emotional literacy. Trudeau is the author of Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other, a powerful exploration of self-awareness, acceptance, and personal empowerment.
  
  
• Tim Hodges, Ph.D. – A senior consultant at Gallup specializing in organizational performance and workplace engagement. With extensive experience leading research in strengths development, employee selection, and well-being, Hodges helps organizations create thriving, high-performing teams.
  
  
• Amy Yip – Founder of Amy Yip LLC, a firm dedicated to closing leadership gaps and empowering underrepresented employees to rise into executive roles. An award-winning author, keynote speaker, and executive coach, Yip is passionate about helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential through mental fitness and self-confidence training.
  
  
• Matthew Lyons – A seasoned yoga practitioner and mindfulness expert who integrates leadership, meditation, and movement to promote balance and self-awareness. Through his classes, workshops, and retreats, Lyons creates an inviting, restorative experience that makes yoga, meditation, and relaxation accessible to all.
  
  
• Anthony McLean – A highly sought-after speaker on culture, wellness, and inclusion, delivering compelling, research-backed insights to diverse audiences—including Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. McLean equips leaders with practical strategies to foster inclusive workplaces and resilient teams, leaving participants inspired and ready to take action.

 

“ASAE is excited to bring the Executive Leadership Forum 2025 to Montréal, a dynamic city that embodies innovation, collaboration, and leadership,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “This year’s exceptional speaker lineup will challenge and inspire attendees, equipping them with the insights and strategies needed to lead with confidence in an ever-evolving landscape. Our longstanding partnership with Destination Canada Business Events has been instrumental in making this event a premier experience for association leaders, and Montréal provides the perfect setting for meaningful dialogue, fresh perspectives, and transformative ideas.” 

“We are thrilled to host ASAE’s Executive Leadership Forum in Montréal,” said Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director, Business Events, Destination Canada. “With a visionary focus on the future, Montréal is a thriving centre of excellence in the digital industries, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Its kaleidoscope of cultures shines in vibrant art, music, film, dance, food and fashion, and the many peoples who call this place home mean everyone is welcome. This year’s forum is sure to be uplifting and insightful—and we hope ASAE’s leaders will feel inspired to return and share this energizing experience with their members.”

For more information about ASAE’s Executive Leadership Forum and to register, please visit Executive Leadership Forum.

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Vest, CAE, 202-626-2798, cvest@asaecenter.org

 

About ASAE

ASAE is a membership organization of more than 50,000 association executives and industry partners. Since it was established 105 years ago, its members have and continue to lead, manage, and work in or partner with organizations in more than a dozen association management disciplines, from executive management to finance to technology. With the support of the ASAE Research Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession and provides resources, education, ideas, and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. Visit ASAE at Welcome to ASAE — American Society of Association Executives (asaecenter.org)