You have likely seen the announcement made by CASSS on February 27 that Executive Director Stephanie Flores, CAE, will leave CASSS at the end of June. Over the last sixteen years, Stephanie has led the organization through significant growth and transformation. Along with dedicated volunteer leaders and a very talented staff team, Stephanie has helped build a strong identity and culture at CASSS as a community of professionals in the field of biopharmaceutical development and regulation.
So, who am I and what am I doing at CASSS?
First, let’s remember that every association or society eventually experiences a leadership change. Numerous studies in the association management space show that hiring an interim executive director during staff leadership changes is a very effective strategy for making sure that the transition to the next Executive Director is ultimately effective. Hiring an interim executive typically gives boards the time and space to decide what kind of association or society they want to be in the future and then to conduct a thorough search for the right Executive Director to lead them there. In addition, ideally, an interim Executive Director offers a unique chance for associations or societies to reset and align management practices with known effective practice in critical areas such as governance and board-CEO relations, financial management, events management, human resources, and others.
What about me?
I am a lifelong association professional with an atypical background. I earned my BA in a double major of anthropology and ecology, ethology, and evolution, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in biological anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis. My original plan, over 20 years ago, was to be a university professor, and teach and do research. As I networked, wrote, and searched for jobs, I started to work part time in an association. That part-time role became full time, and eventually led to a 25-year career in association management. I love what I do and am pleased to bring my experience to CASSS, even for a short time.
I’m sure it will be no surprise to read that CASSS staff and volunteer leaders have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and help me to succeed in my role. As I write this, I am in the midst of a listening tour of the Board and staff. The discussions I have been having have been full of gratitude for the past and present of CASSS, and excitement at the opportunities ahead for CASSS. Thank you in advance for your patience and support as I take the reins of leadership, even on a temporary basis. I welcome your input and ideas. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me anytime at dbergeson@casss.org.
Thank you!