Greetings from ASAE! As I wrap up my first week as president and CEO, I wanted to share with you how excited and grateful I am to serve this association community at such a critical time of transition and need. 
 
It’s a new day at ASAE – one where we start to build on our 100-year history and write our next chapter of impact and growth as the professional home for association leaders. The past 18 months or so has challenged us as association leaders to think creatively about how to meet the needs of our members – how to do more with fewer resources; how to transition from face-to-face meetings to virtual and/or hybrid offerings; and most importantly, how to listen and be a lifeline for members whose career paths may have been interrupted or upended by COVID-19. As you work through some of these challenges, I want to assure you that ASAE will be here for you. 
 
As you probably know, ASAE is in the process of implementing a three-year strategy grounded in deepening member engagement and strengthening the overall value proposition for our community. While there are already some specific, concrete ways that the strategy has begun to shift ASAE’s focus and alignment of resources, one of the most important roles I can play as ASAE’s new president and CEO is to listen to this community. In the months ahead, I have planned a comprehensive listening tour, taking time to meet with members and volunteer leaders to hear what our community needs and wants from us. I look forward to sharing what I learn and I’m confident that you’ll start to see our listening translate to action on your behalf. 
 
Thank you for being on this journey with me and with the ASAE community. Together, we’re going to ensure that associations are well positioned for growth and vitality and that ASAE is meeting your needs as association leaders. I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and I look forward to updating you again soon on our progress! 
 

Sincerely,

Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE 
President & CEO