ASAE Research Foundation Announces 2025 Recipients of CAE Scholarship
WASHINGTON— The ASAE Research Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the CAE Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to support a diverse workforce of association professionals in pursuing the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential
Each year, the CAE Scholarship provides financial assistance to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing their careers in association management. Recipients receive a $500 award that may be used toward the CAE application fee or applied to exam preparation resources such as reading materials, courses, or study groups. The award must be used within one year. Additionally, scholarship recipients who are not already ASAE members will receive a one-year complimentary membership to deepen their engagement with the association community.
Originally founded in 2011, the Foundation’s CAE Scholarship program was revitalized and reimagined in 2023 with the support of two stalwart association leaders: Matthew Gertzog, FASAE, CAE, deputy executive director, American Society of Hematology; and Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, CPF, CEO of Vista Cova. ASAE Business Solutions is also a founding donor to the CAE Scholarship program.
“The CAE credential is a meaningful step in a leader’s journey, and this scholarship ensures that rising professionals from all backgrounds have a chance to pursue that path,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “Through the generous support of CAE Scholarship donors, we’re investing in the future of our profession.”
The 2025 recipients of the CAE Scholarship are:
Jason Allen, MS, CCS
Directors of Chapters
Active Minds
Maisaloon Dias, MSW, LSW
Director of Centers and Initiatives
Council on Social Work Education
Dr. McLean Essiene, CPP, PCI, PSP, CCIP, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Global Front Initiative for Development and Empowerment
Bryan Hibbard
Senior Editorial Operations Manager
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Jamie Martin, CMP, MS
Director, Conference and Event Services
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Jake Minor, MPA
Senior Manager, Operations & Resources
Council for Exceptional Children
Sunnie Omeiza-Michael, PHD, SEA
Director of Research & Advocacy
Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Christopher Otto, MSN, RN, CCRN
Executive Director
Delaware Nurses Association
Deborah Reece, CMP
President/ Chapter Executive Director
DLK Marketing & Events/IFMA Denver Chapter
Ryan Rosenbaum, MBA
Executive Director
Association Industry Matters
Palash Sanyal, PMP, GCB.D, ICD.D
Principal
Governing Water Inc.
Neil Snyder, MPA
Director of Public Policy
Hearing Loss Association of America
Kent Storm, MBA
Competitive Events Manager
Future Business Leaders of America
Vanessa Thomas, MBA, GHRM
CEO
Ionomics Adult and Family Services
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)