The 2026 honorees include Steven C. Anderson, FASAE, CAE, IOM, President and Chief Executive Officer, The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), who is recognized with this year’s Key Award; Danielle Duran Baron, MA, MBA, FASAE, CAE, AAiP, Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations at the School Nutrition Association, who is honored with the Professional Performance Award; and Mariama Boney, CAE, LMSW, CPEC, SHRM-SCP, President and CEO, Achieve More LLC, who is receiving the Academy of Leaders Award.

“Every year, the Individual Honors Committee has the privilege of reviewing leaders who represent the very best of association management,” said Alexis Redmond, JD, MA, CAE, Senior Director, NSSLHA at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Chair of the ASAE Individual Honors Committee. “At a time of rapid change and growing complexity, associations are essential to the future of industries, professions, and communities. This year's recipients embody being driven by mission and purpose. They serve as catalysts in their organizations, across their professions, and throughout the association community. Their example raises the bar for what our entire profession is capable of and the lasting impact we all can make.”

The Key Award recognizes chief staff executives of associations who demonstrate exceptional leadership and an enduring commitment to the value and impact of voluntary membership organizations. Steven C. Anderson is the 81st recipient of this distinguished honor.

Earlier this year, Anderson announced his intention to retire as President and CEO of NACDS following two decades of transformational leadership. During his tenure, he strengthened the organization’s institutional infrastructure, expanded its influence and positioned it for long-term success and sustainability. Widely respected throughout the association community, Anderson was named “Trade Association CEO of the Year” by CEO Update magazine, one of the profession’s highest distinctions.

A dedicated ASAE leader and volunteer, Anderson served as Chair of the ASAE Board of Directors from 2021–2022 and Chair of the ASAE Research Foundation from 2020–2021. In 2020, ASAE named him an ASAE Fellow, one of the association community’s highest honors.

The Professional Performance Award recognizes association executives who have made significant contributions to their organizations and the association community while serving in senior leadership roles other than CEO. Danielle Duran Baron is the 52nd recipient of this distinguished honor.

At SNA, Baron leads marketing, communications, and industry relations strategy, advancing the brand while driving sustained revenue growth to support the association's strategic goals. A respected leader in the association community, she is a DELP Scholar, an ASAE Fellow (2023), and a published author. Active across ASAE governance, ethics, advocacy, and credentialing initiatives, Baron will chair the ForesightWorks Advisory Group beginning this August. She is also the former board chair of Luminus Network for New Americans, a Maryland nonprofit dedicated to helping immigrants thrive.

The Academy of Leaders Award honors consultants and industry partners who have demonstrated exceptional support for ASAE and the broader association community. Mariama S. Boney is the 39th recipient of this distinguished award.

As President and CEO of Achieve More, LLC, Boney is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, executive coach, facilitator, and trusted strategic advisor. She has guided associations and nonprofits, across more than 100 industries through transformational change, strengthening governance, leadership, culture, and performance. A respected thought leader, she is the author of numerous articles published in Association Now and through the Forbes Coaches Council, as well as three books. Through the consulting, coaching, training, and strategic planning work, she has positively impacted professionals worldwide.

The Individual Honors for Exceptional Leadership will be presented during the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place Aug. 15-18 in Indianapolis, IN. To learn more about ASAE’s Individual Honors criteria and selection process, visit the ASAE Individual Honors page.

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)