By Denman Wall
It’s amazing how quickly an organization’s program year can fly by, and the 2017-2018 program year was no exception. Throughout the year, NYSAE and its members have been at the forefront of the association and nonprofit industry. NYSAE members are known as leaders, champions…Rock stars even!
Plus, the association industry is remarkable, particularly in the New York Metropolitan area. There is tremendous comradery intertwined with the very pulse of the city itself. Yet, it is also competitive because, well, it’s New York. As the old song goes, "If I can make it there…"
Each year, NYSAE celebrates the achievements of individuals and organizations that have contributed to the continued growth and relevancy of the association and nonprofit sector and NYSAE. The NYSAE Synergy Awards Luncheon, held on Wednesday, April 18 at the spectacular Upper Story by Charlie Palmer, provided the packed, standing-room-only house with the opportunity to network with and celebrate key individuals and organizations for their contributions.
The following are listed in presentation order.
Digital Excellence Awards
From left: Anna Chang, Head of Communications, Modern Language Association; Tom Lewek, Head of Online Production, Modern Language Association; Sam Hughes, Strategic Marketing Manager, Special Events, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society;
Digital Excellence Awards went to the Modern Language Association (https://www.mla.org), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org) and Video Advertising Bureau (http://www.thevab.com). The Digital Excellence award recognizes an association for visionary innovation in use of digital technology to advance its mission.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Eileen Arnold, Executive Assistant, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners;
The Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding service on a NYSAE Committee or Special Interest Group, was earned by Eileen Arnold. Ms. Arnold is Executive Assistant, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Young Leader Award
From left:Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO of NYSAE; Lauren Shultz, Membership Director, AIGA: The Professional Association for Design; Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, NYSAE Chair and Executive Director of ASAH;
The Young Leader Award was presented to Lauren Shultz, Membership and Chapter Development Director, AIGA: The Professional Association for Design. The award recognizes a young professional (35 years of age or under) who has contributed significantly to serving the profession of association and not-for-profit management.
Distinguished Service Award
Amy J. Geffen, PhD, Director, Professional Development, Council for Economic Education and Chair of the NYSAE Education Committee;
Amy J. Geffen, PhD, Director, Professional Development, Council for Economic Education and Chair of the NYSAE Education Committee, was awarded with the Distinguished Service Award. This honor recognizes a member who has made extraordinary contributions to NYSAE by his/her skillful performance in aiding and assisting in areas such as special projects, new programs or with ad-hoc functions.
Outstanding Associate Member Award
From left: Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, NYSAE Chair and Executive Director of ASAH; Donna J. Kelley, CMP, CASE, Global Account Executive, Marriott International; Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO of NYSAE;
The Outstanding Associate Member Award was earned by Donna J. Kelley, CMP, CASE. She is Global Account Executive, Marriott International. The award recognizes the contributions made to an associate member’s organization that have significantly improved, promoted and benefited his/her company within the NYSAE community.
Outstanding Nonprofit Executive Award
From left: Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, NYSAE Chair and Executive Director of ASAH; Felicia K. Taylor, MBA, CAE, Director of Member Services & Engagement, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO of NYSAE;
Felicia K. Taylor, MBA, CAE, Director of Member Services & Engagement, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, was presented with the Outstanding Nonprofit Executive Award. The award recognizes a current nonprofit executive who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the nonprofit management profession as a key leader in a philanthropic or nonprofit organization and has demonstrated outstanding achievement in advancing the mission of that organization.
Outstanding Association Executive Award
From left: Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, NYSAE Chair and Executive Director of ASAH; Gina Ryan, CAE, MSW, President, CEO Pathways/Creative Executive Options; Mary Jane Eimer, CAE, Executive Director, Association For Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies; Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO of NYSAE;
The Outstanding Association Executive Award was earned by Gina Ryan, CAE, MSW, President, CEO Pathways/Creative Executive Options. This award recognizes a current executive who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the association management profession as a key leader in a philanthropic, professional or trade organization and has demonstrated outstanding achievement in advancing the mission of that organization.
Social Responsibility Award
From left:Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO of NYSAE; Hervé Houdré, H2 Sustainability Consulting; Gerard M. Thiers, CAE, NYSAE Chair and Executive Director of ASAH;
Rounding out the awards ceremony was the Social Responsibility Award. This is a Major award to a very well-known person in the entertainment or business community who has made a difference for people in the New York City area, nationally or internationally by founding, supporting or leading a successful, impactful and innovative non-profit organization or corporate program. This year, the award was presented to Hervé Houdré of H2 Sustainability Consulting.
As NYSAE approaches its 100th Anniversary, it thanks everyone who attended and gives a very special “thank you” to the award recipients for the contributions they made and will, no doubt, continue to make.
Denman Wall is the Sr. Director of Interactive Services for Dolci Interactive and Editor of InView Newsletter.