WASHINGTON— ASAE proudly announces the selection of 12 exceptional association professionals as scholars for the 2025-2027 class of the Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) – a milestone year as the transformative initiative celebrates its 25th anniversary. 

Designed to propel individuals from under-represented identity groups into the highest levels of leadership in the association sector, DELP is a powerful, two-year leadership accelerator offering immersive education, one-on-one mentoring, and unparalleled networking and volunteer opportunities across the association community.

“Congratulations to the 2025-2027 Class of DELP Scholars, who reflect the bright and bold future of association leadership,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “For 25 years, DELP has fueled career growth for emerging leaders and strengthened the diversity of our profession’s leadership pipeline. ASAE is thrilled to support these scholars as they begin this life-changing journey.”

Throughout the program, DELP scholars receive full ASAE membership, registration, travel, and lodging for the ASAE Annual Meeting and other high-impact educational events, along with tailored mentorship and professional development opportunities designed to elevate their leadership trajectory.

ASAE also extends deep appreciation to Visit Detroit, whose unwavering partnership for over two decades has been instrumental in shaping the DELP legacy. Thanks to their commitment, DELP has empowered more than 240 dynamic, diverse leaders to thrive and lead in the association world. 

The 2025-2027 DELP class includes:

Tanika Coates, CDE
Director of Professional Development
American Society for Cell Biology
Rockville, Maryland

Stacie Dojonovic, EdD, CRC, LPC, CVE, GCDFI
Executive Director
Division on Career Development and Transition
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Vanessa Gonzalez, MPH
Director of Grant Programs
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Darien, Illinois

Jackie Hippolyte
Senior Manager, Web Operations
National Court Reporters Association
Reston, Virginia

JoAnna Leon
Director, WERC Membership & Managing Director, CICMHE
Material Handling Industry (MHI)
Charlotte, North Carolina

Justine Medina
Membership and Operations Manager
Indigenous Journalists Association
Norman, Oklahoma

Michael Pereira, CAE, CDMP
Marketing Manager
School Nutrition Association
Arlington, Virginia
 
Vicky Schneider, CAE, MS
Chief Strategy Officer
American Institute of Architects
Washington, DC

Mariel Solomon, CCC-SLP, MS
Associate Director, Practice Portal
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Rockville, Maryland

Ashley Turner
Director, Accreditation and Compliance
American Psychiatric Association
Washington, DC

Viviana Urdaneta Melo, LCSW
Deputy Executive Director
EMDR International Association
Austin, Texas

Janet Williams, SGMS-T
Membership and Operations Manager
Smithbucklin/WERC
Chicago, Illinois

 

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 100 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)