Greetings ASAE Community,

 

Please find a few important updates from ASAE in the past few weeks:

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

During Mental Health Awareness Month, ASAE recognizes the vital role mental well-being plays in the health of our organizations and the people who power them. Association leaders across the country are increasingly prioritizing mental health as an essential part of organizational culture — fostering workplaces where empathy, flexibility, and emotional well-being are not just valued but actively supported. Supporting mental health is not only the right thing to do — it’s also key to sustaining strong, resilient teams that can thrive in today’s complex environment.

 

Nominees Selected for FY2026 ASAE Board of Directors

The Leadership Committee of ASAE and the ASAE Research Foundation has selected nominees to serve on the ASAE and ASAE Research Foundation Boards of Directors for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026), with terms beginning September 1, 2025.

 

The Leadership Committee develops a pool of candidates for board service based on several criteria, including how they best characterize ASAE’s strategy, represent their organizations’ membership and enhance ASAE’s commitment to diverse representation, which is inclusive of geography, association size, career level, gender, identity, ethnicity, skill sets and areas of expertise.

 

The Leadership Committee is chaired this year by Lynda Bouchard Patterson, FASAE, CAE, Founder & CEO, AMPED Association Management/CEO & Founder, Association CEO, and Immediate Past Chair of the ASAE Board.

 

Read more about the slate of officers and directors that will be officially installed during the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles Aug. 9-12.

 

The ASAE staff team looks forward to collaborating with these dedicated volunteer leaders to position ASAE to best serve the interests of association professionals and the diverse organizations across our sector.

 

Tax Update: Key Wins and Ongoing Advocacy for Associations

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping legislative package that aims to extend key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while advancing several of the President’s top domestic policy priorities.

 

We’re pleased to share some important progress for the association community. Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of the Community Impact Coalition and associations across the country, the most severe tax provisions that were initially feared did not make it into the House-passed bill. One significant victory was the removal of a proposed tax on income from association names and logos — a change that would have negatively affected many nonprofits. This helps protect critical non-dues revenue for associations.

 

However, the bill still includes a provision we continue to oppose: it would treat certain transportation-related fringe benefits, like parking, as taxable income for associations. ASAE and the CIC have created a sign-on letter that is open to any association that wishes to add their voice opposing this provision. The deadline for signing onto this letter is June 2, 2025.

 

On a more positive note, the House-passed bill includes the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act. This measure would allow 529 education savings plans to be used for career training and professional certifications — not just traditional college tuition. If passed into law, it would make it easier for individuals to afford licensing, certification, and other professional development, including those offered by associations.

 

While this progress is encouraging, the legislative process is far from over. The Community Impact Coalition will remain vigilant to ensure harmful provisions do not re-emerge later in the process. We will continue working to protect this progress and oppose any measures that would increase the tax burden on the nonprofit sector.

 

We’ll keep you informed as the bill moves to the Senate. Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

 

Stay Informed: What the House Reconciliation Bill Means for Associations

Join ASAE for a free, members-only “just-in-time” webinar on June 6 from 11 a.m.–Noon ET to unpack the tax provisions in the House-passed reconciliation bill and how they affect associations and other nonprofit organizations.

 

ASAE policy experts will also share updates on the reconciliation process and the work ASAE and its Community Impact Coalition are doing to educate the 119th Congress on the vital role associations play in our economy and society.

 

Speakers include:

 

·       Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE – ASAE Chief Public Policy & Governance Officer

·       Kyle Hayes – ASAE Senior Director of Public Policy

·       Ali Bedford – Vice President, Integer, LLC

 

Click here to register and stay ahead of what’s next.

 

ASAE’s 2025 Individual Honors Recipients

ASAE recently announced the 2025 recipients of the Individual Honors for Exceptional Leadership, bestowed upon professionals who have demonstrated exemplary support of ASAE, the association community and society at large.

 

The 2025 honorees include Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CEO of American Epilepsy Society, who is recognized with this year’s Key Award; David "DJ" Johnson, IOM, FASAE, CAE, chief membership and engagement officer at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who is honored with the Professional Performance Award; and KiKi L'Italien, executive vice president of marketing and community engagement at Big Red M, who is receiving the Academy of Leaders Award.

 

The Individual Honors for Exceptional Leadership will be presented during the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place Aug. 9-12, in Los Angeles, CA. To learn more about ASAE’s Individual Honors criteria and selection process, visit the ASAE Individual Honors page.

 

ASAE Celebrates DELP’s 25^th Anniversary, Welcomes 2025-2027 Class

ASAE recently announced 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.

 

We look forward to welcoming another exceptional class of DELP Scholars, who reflect the bright and bold future of association leadership. Read more about this year’s class on our DELP webpage. 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.

 

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.

 

Join the ASAE Community at The Exchange™

Join us on June 17 in Washington, DC for The Exchange™, ASAE’s signature gathering of association leaders committed to advancing equity, connection, and growth. This powerful, one-day experience welcomes all who champion the success of women in the workplace, offering honest conversations, diverse perspectives, and practical strategies for personal and professional development. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself, earn CAE credits, and help shape a more inclusive future for the association community. Check out the lineup of dynamic speakers and register today.

 

Tools & Resources

·      Event Location: Questions for Consideration

·      Associations’ Guide to Risk and Crisis Management

·      Associations’ Guide to Going Global

 

Save the Date for Upcoming ASAE Programs

·      The Exchange: A Leadership Experience – June 17, 2025

·      Executive Leadership Forum – June 25-27, 2025

·      ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition – August 9-12, 2025

·      Summit Awards Dinner – September 25, 2025

 

As always, thank you for your engagement with ASAE and please reach out with any questions.

 

Warm regards,

 

 

Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE

President and CEO