The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) installed new officers and directors for its Board of Directors and ASAE Research Foundation Board during the 2026 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis. Their terms begin Sept. 1.
Sheri Sesay-Tuffour, chief executive officer of the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, will serve as chair of the ASAE Board.
Philip K. Bell, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association, will serve as chair-elect of the ASAE Board and chair of the ASAE Research Foundation Board.
Marc R. Cadin, chief executive officer of Finseca, will serve as secretary-treasurer of both boards. Jay Karen, chief executive officer of the National Golf Course Owners Association, becomes immediate past chair of the ASAE Board.
Six directors join ASAE board
The new at-large directors are Torey Carter-Conneen, chief executive officer of the American Society of Landscape Architects; Kelly Mariotti, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers; Chris Swonger, president and chief executive officer of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Responsibility.org; Wendy-Jo Toyama, chief executive officer of the American Epilepsy Society; Robin K. Wiener, president of the Recycled Materials Association; and Christopher Finelli, vice president of global sales and events at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.
Carter-Conneen and Toyama will also serve on the ASAE Research Foundation Board.
Wiener will fill the ASAE Board seat vacated by Anne Forristall Luke following her retirement and will serve the remaining two years of the term.
“Serving as ASAE Board Chair is an extraordinary opportunity to work alongside our Board and staff team to turn the strategic direction we have established together into meaningful action,” Sesay-Tuffour said. “I look forward to bringing our collective experience, energy, and commitment to the work ahead, and ensuring that ASAE continues to lead with purpose, agility, and impact.”
ASAE’s Leadership Committee selected the board members in May based on criteria tied to the organization’s strategy, membership representation, and inclusive leadership.
Board approves new strategic framework
The leadership transition comes as the ASAE Board approved a new strategic framework during its Aug. 14 meeting in Indianapolis.
The framework will guide ASAE’s work and investments over the next three to five years. More than 500 volunteer leaders, members, and partners contributed to the planning process, which began at ASAE’s 2025 Leaders’ Retreat.
The strategy centers on three areas: growing ASAE’s influence and impact, strengthening talent and organizational readiness, and improving the member experience.
As part of the member-experience effort, ASAE will launch ASAE Labs through ASAE Business Solutions. The program will bring members together to test ideas, address emerging challenges, and develop new approaches for associations.
Investments target advocacy and professional development
The board also approved investments in two initiatives tied to the new framework.
The first expands ASAE’s Trust Associations campaign, which began as part of the organization’s advocacy work on federal tax policy. ASAE plans to use the campaign to increase awareness among policymakers and other leaders about the role associations play in the economy and their communities.
The second investment supports a pilot Certified Association Executive Growth & Talent Ecosystem Initiative. The project will explore microcredentials connected to the Certified Association Executive knowledge areas and create additional professional-development options for association professionals.
“Together, these investments reflect ASAE’s commitment to putting its new strategic framework into action, strengthening the association community’s influence, developing its talent and organizational capacity, and delivering meaningful value to members,” said Michelle Mason, president and chief executive officer of ASAE.
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