WASHINGTON — Twelve scholars have been chosen to join the Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) as the class of 2014–2016. DELP provides individuals from underrepresented segments of the association profession an opportunity to advance into the ranks of leadership in association management by providing access to ASAE educational programs, career guidance and networking opportunities.

“DELP is an outstanding leadership program for association professionals, which gives participants the opportunity to raise awareness about their involvement in the community.  Congratulations to the new DELP class, a diverse group of talented leaders," said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE.

DELP is a two-year program which includes a more dynamic learning experience to prepare the scholars for future leadership roles. DELP is exclusively sponsored by the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (DMCVB).  DMCVB is also an ASAE Strategic Partner.

Graham added, “Thank you to the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau for their continued support of this valuable program in helping us cultivate diverse + inclusive leaders within the association industry. Next year, we will celebrate 15 years of DELP in Detroit during our Annual Meeting & Exposition,” added Graham.

This year’s class includes:

Deborah Chin, CAE
Chief Administrative Officer & VP, Administration
The ERISA Industry Committee

Gabriel Eckert, CAE
Executive Director
Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia

Angela Flanigan
Director of Education
Georgia Academy of Family Physicians

Karen M. Freeman, FACHE
Assistant Director, Customer Service
American College of Healthcare Executives

Leah Jones CMP
Director, Meetings & Events
Auto Care Association

Marcus D. Miller
Member Services Administrator
NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association

Tangela Monroe
Assistant Director
American Institute of Architects/Georgia

Silvia Quevedo MS, CCC/SLP
Associate Director, Academic Affairs & Research Education
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Shelton Roulhac
Manager, State Legislative Information & Research
Credit Union National Association

Davin Searls
Executive Director
Discovering Deaf Worlds

Ushma J. Suvarnakar, MTA
Annual Meetings Manager
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

Zack Wahlquist
Director, Student and Professional Development
Association of College Unions International

MEDIA CONTACT: Sabrina Kidwai, APR, CAE skidwai@asaecenter.org, 202-326-9505.

About ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE 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. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org.

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