The Exchange: A Leadership Experience
Real Conversations. Real Connection. Real Change.
A retreat style leadership experience that gives professionals at every phase of their career in associations the space, tools, and community to pause, reflect, and grow with intention. Designed around real talk, wellbeing, and meaningful connection, The Exchange helps leaders return with clarity, courage, and renewed capacity to lead.
Overview
The Exchange is ASAE’s one day, retreat style leadership gathering built for women across the association sector—early-career to seasoned executives—who want a brave, restorative space to reset and rise.
Unlike traditional conferences, The Exchange blends candid conversation, wellbeing practices, and leadership development, creating an environment where leaders can process, reflect, and build the mindset tools needed for sustainable, courageous leadership. Participants leave with clarity, confidence, and a strengthened network of women who encourage you to “say the thing” and hold you up!
Who Should Attend
The Exchange is designed for women at all career stages who want to grow with intention:
- Emerging association leaders
- Midcareer professionals seeking clarity and confidence
- Executives and C-suite leaders looking for renewed purpose
- Mentors and mentees who want structured inspiration and connection
This experience welcomes all women across association and nonprofit functions.
What Makes The Exchange Different
Retreat Style by Design—Not “Another Conference.”
An intentional pause from the pace of work, with space for reflection, wellbeing, and authentic leadership growth.
Real Conversations That Remove the Filter.
Honest dialogue on topics that often go unsaid in professional spaces—identity, confidence, caregiving, menopause, and more.
Tools for Courageous, Sustainable Leadership.
Science-backed mental fitness strategies, mindset coaching, and frameworks to strengthen resilience, authenticity, and decision-making.
Mentorship & Recognition That Amplify Impact.
Community rituals such as ElevateHER storytelling and mentor/mentee recognition highlight shared wisdom and collective rise.
Proven Momentum.
The inaugural 2024 event sold out and returned in 2025 with expanded programming, demonstrating strong community demand.
The Experience
A curated blend of:
Keynote Inspiration
National thought leaders like Carla Hall, Maria Pinto, Michelle Poler, Amy Yip, Denise Graves, Muriel Wilkins, and Holly Duckworth challenge participants to choose courage over comfort and reframe mindset obstacles.
Courage Circles & Peer Dialogue
Small-group exchanges that encourage openness, solidarity, and real-time learning.
Wellbeing & Reset Practices
Movement, mindfulness, and selfcare frameworks that support sustainable leadership.
Mentorship Moments
Recognition of mentor/mentee pairs and opportunities to strengthen intergenerational leadership bonds.
Community Rituals: ElevateHER™ Talks
Short, inspirational talks that that celebrate the lived experiences and leadership journeys of women in our sector.
Sample Agenda Highlights
(Will be customized every year)
- Morning grounding and wellbeing session
- Courage keynote & leadership workshop
- Peer conversations on lived experiences
- Mental fitness and mindset coaching
- ElevateHER storytelling
- The Loretta DeLuca Mentor/Mentee Honor
- Afternoon reflection and personal action planning
- Networking
Why Attend
Participants leave The Exchange with:
- Renewed clarity and purpose
- Practical tools for mental fitness and self-leadership
- Strategies for setting boundaries and preventing burnout
- A deeper understanding of themselves and their leadership voice
- A strong, sustaining network of women across the sector
Above all, they leave with clarity, courage, and connection—the foundation of the promise behind The Exchange.
History & Momentum
- 2024: Inaugural event held at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC; ~200 participants, overwhelmingly positive media coverage.
- 2025: Returned with sharpened content and community focus around Clarity, Courage, Connection.
The Exchange continues to grow as a cornerstone experience in ASAE’s leadership portfolio.
Join a community of women committed to leading bravely, living fully, and rising together.