Work Experience
1974-1980 Teacher, Jr. High, St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing, Michigan (1977-1980), Holy Rosary Academy, Bay City, Michigan (1974-1977). Focus: English Literature, Grammar & Composition
1980-1984 Stratton-Cheeseman Management Company, Medical Malpractice and General Insurance Field Sales
1984-1985 Maternity Leave
1985-1986 The Bishop Company, Technical Writing Support & Marketing Specialist
1986-1987 Michigan Association of Insurance Companies, Communications Director
1987-1996 Professional Insurance Agents of Michigan/Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (a consolidated organization), representing independent property & casualty insurance agents. Position: Education Director/#2 Executive from 1987-1991, Sr. Vice President for Professional Development from 1991-1996 for merged organization.
1997-1998 SIAA-Midwest Regional President, Satellite Insurance Agency Alliance, developing an alternative distribution system for insurance in the region.
1996-Current Owner, Leading Edge Mentoring, building capacity in governance, leadership and management
1996-2019 Partner, Managing Education Resource Group, President of the Insurance Division
2003-Current Partner, Partners in Policy Governance, a consulting collaboration to support Policy Governance practitioners. 
2010-2012 CEO, International Policy Governance Association (volunteer role)
2019-Current Association Manager, Nevada Association of Nurse Anesthetists (part-time position)
2021-2024 President, Association for Strategic Planning (volunteer role)
Past President, International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP)

Academic & Professional Education
1974 Bachelor of Arts, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan Major: Communication Arts, Minor: English and Education
1977 Masters in Education in Individualized Instruction, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota
1981 Certified Insurance Counselor, Society of Certified Insurance Counselors
1991 Associate in Risk Management, Insurance Institute of America
1991 Certified Association Executive, American Society of Association Executives (mastery of knowledge in 13 areas of association management)
1994-Current Re-certified CAE
1999 Participant, Policy Governance® Academy, Carver Governance Design
2006 Certification for Spiral Dynamics, Levels I & II
2007 Advanced Workshop in Policy Governance®, Carver Governance Design
2010 Systems Thinking and Strategic Management Gold Mastery Certification, Haines Centre for Strategic Management, in conjunction with the University of San Diego.
2011-Current Strategic Management Professional designation, awarded by the Association of Strategic Planning, demonstrating mastery level knowledge and core competencies in the Strategic Planning industry at the highest level. 
2016 Certified as a Certified Professional Behavior Analyst, awarded by TTI Success Insights.
2016 Certification Specialist credential awarded by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
2019 Governance Systems Professional – Fellow, awarded by Govern for Impact

Current Membership and Volunteerism
  • Church of St. Michael, Grand Ledge, Michigan, Music Ministry Leader
  • Govern for Impact, member.  Formerly known as International Policy Governance Association, (IPGA) Board member 2005-2010, CEO 2010-2012
  • Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE), Faculty member
  • American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
  • Association for Strategic Planning (ASP), Board member, 2013-Current Co-Chair Non-Profit Center for Excellence Conference Co-Chair 2014, 2015 New Business Model facilitator & 2016 Chair of Certification Operations Committee; 2019-2021 and 2024-current, Chair of the Certification Commission
Awards
  • 2023 Distinguished Service Award,  International Association of Strategy Professionals.
  • 2019 Janice Laureen Award for Outstanding Service to ASP
  • 2015 The Governor's Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration for the Northwest Michigan Wine Tasting Room Training Program in the category of Education & Training.  (co-recipient)
  • 2013-14 Janice Laureen Award for Outstanding Service to ASP 2013-14
  • 2003 MSAE Diamond Award, Supplier/Partner Personal Award, in recognition of exemplary service and support to the not-for-profit professional and to MSAE
  • 2001 MSAE Chairman's Gavel Award, presented by Jim Barrett, CEO of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, for dedicated service to the profession proven by advancing the ideals and aspirations of the Chairman of the Board
  • 2001 Woman of the Year, ABWA Seven Islands Charter Chapter
Special Interests
  • Vocal and keyboard music
Published Work (2011-current)
  • ©2025 pending, Professional Practices in Association Management, 5th Edition, Executive Editor
  • ©2024 The Bellman Handbook: Providing Five-Star Customer Service in a Post-COVID World, Leading Edge Press, 2nd printing
  • ©2023 Critical Recommendations to Govern Your Strategy in a Holistic Fashion, Strategy Magazine, Spring 2023, Issue 38

  • 2021 Associations Now Board Brief: Leading Together, pages 17-18, article published by ASAE.
  • 2020 Modern Board Essentials and Modern Board Advanced Course, sponsored by Capacity Canada and hosted by Conestoga College based in Ontario, Canada.
  • 2020  Professional Practices in Association Management, 4th edition, a publication of ASAE.  Role: Executive Managing Editor
  • 2020 Governing by Principles, a Proven Method to Unleash the Power of Policy Governance, published by PPG Press, © 2020
  • 2016 Rethinking Leadership Succession, Association Impact, published by MSAE
  • 2015 A Handbook of Professional Practices in Association Management, 3rd Edition, a joint publication of Wiley & Sons and ASAE, ©2015 Role: Executive Managing Editor & Contributing Author
  • 2015 Governance Modes for High Performing Boards Association Impact, published by MSAE, Issue 6
  • 2014 Wine Tasting Room Server Handbook, Trainer’s Guide and Video Series, © 2014 owned by Network Northwest
  • 2014 What CSEs Really Need to Know, Association Impact, published by MSAE, Issue 2
  • 2014  Executive Sessions, Association Impact, published by MSAE, Issue 6
  • 2012, Associations as Knowledge Managers Association Impact, published by MSAE
  • 2011, How to Develop an Extraordinary Chairman of Your Board Association Impact, published by MSAE
  • ©2011, Effective Governance, article and assessment tool, co-authored with Karl Sommers, published by Haines Centre for Strategic Management. 
  • ©2011,  Taking a Whole System Approach to Adopting Policy Governance, Board Leadership, ©Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Number 108, Mar-Apr 2010
  • ©2011   The Bellman Handbook, Leading Edge Mentoring (US Publication)
Contact Us

Phone: (517) 256-4786
Email: [email protected]
Address: 302 E Jefferson, Grand Ledge, MI 48837-1539

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