CESSE

CESSE The professional home for STEM society CEOs, Executive Directors, and Staff CESSE's greatest resource is its members' wisdom and experience.

Engineering and scientific societies play a crucial role in the development of the professions that are key to advancing innovation. The Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), incorporated in 1977, is a professional society of chief executive officers and mid- to senior-level staff members dedicated to leadership excellence. CESSE offers its members a forum for exchangin

g information about their experiences and a venue for addressing the problems, challenges, and opportunities they face in operating their societies. CESSE members are known - some are even notorious - for their willingness to share their knowledge with colleagues. OUR MISSION
CESSE provides leadership development through networking, education, and the sharing of best practices for the professional leaders of science, technology, engineering, and math societies. OUR VISION
Transforming the future through science, technology, engineering, and math leadership.

Meet Christina Lewellen, MBA, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director and CEO of the National Society of Professional Engineers (...
09/02/2026

Meet Christina Lewellen, MBA, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director and CEO of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and presenter for CESSE's upcoming webinar, Beyond the Program: Designing STEM Events for Lasting Impact.

Known for her data-driven approach to leadership and strategy, Christina is a respected voice in the association community and was named an ASAE The Center for Association Leadership Fellow in 2025. She brings extensive experience leading professional communities, navigating organizational change, and helping associations maximize the value they provide members.

During this session, Christina will share insights on how intentional event design can strengthen communities, support collaboration, and advance organizational goals beyond traditional education and networking.

📅 September 22, 2026
⏰ 2:00 p.m. ET
✅ 1 CAE credit available. CESSE is also a CMP preferred provider.
🔗 https://ow.ly/4i3P50ZERyy

What if the true value of your annual meeting can extend far beyond the event itself?Meet Michael Beale, Client Engageme...
08/26/2026

What if the true value of your annual meeting can extend far beyond the event itself?

Meet Michael Beale, Client Engagement Manager at Destination Canada (Canada Keep Exploring) and one of the presenters for CESSE's upcoming webinar, Beyond the Program: Designing STEM Events for Lasting Impact.

With more than a decade of experience in the global business events industry, Michael works with associations and organizational leaders to create events that drive meaningful economic and social impact. His work is informed by Destination Canada's groundbreaking research on event legacy and impact, helping organizations think differently about what success looks like after attendees return home.

Join us on September 22 to learn how STEM societies can intentionally design meetings that foster collaboration, innovation, and lasting value for their communities.

📅 September 22, 2026
⏰ 2:00 p.m. ET
✅ 1 CAE credit available. CESSE is also a CMP preferred provider.
🔗 https://ow.ly/rKQf50ZERsj

The most valuable conversations in STEM society leadership happen when CEOs and Executive Directors come together to lea...
08/24/2026

The most valuable conversations in STEM society leadership happen when CEOs and Executive Directors come together to learn from one another, share candid insights, and tackle common challenges. That's exactly what you'll find at the 2027 CESSE CEO Meeting, and helping shape this year's experience are two outstanding volunteer leaders:

Scott Grayson, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, American Public Works Association (APWA) and Abigail Gorman, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics for (ASCPT).

Together, Scott and Abigail are working with CESSE to create an experience designed by CEOs, for CEOs, focused on the issues that matter most to STEM societies today.

📍 The DeSoto Savannah
📅 January 24-27, 2027

Be among the first to hear when registration opens, hotel details are released, and new program information becomes available by signing up for notifications at: www.cesse.org/ceo-meeting

POV: You're at the CESSE CEO Meeting 🤝🧠☕Big-picture conversations. New ideas you can take back to your STEM society. Tim...
08/11/2026

POV: You're at the CESSE CEO Meeting 🤝🧠☕

Big-picture conversations. New ideas you can take back to your STEM society. Time away from the day-to-day to focus on the future of the profession.

We're counting down the days until the 2027 CESSE CEO Meeting, taking place January 24-27, 2027, in Savannah, Georgia!

Whether it was a breakthrough idea from a fellow CEO, a thought-provoking discussion, or a connection that turned into a lasting professional relationship, the CEO Meeting has a way of creating moments that stay with you long after the event ends.

What's your favorite memory from a past CESSE CEO Meeting? Share it in the comments or tag us in a post!

What if your organization's greatest advantage in the age of AI is the knowledge you already own?Join Rob Barnes, CAE, A...
08/03/2026

What if your organization's greatest advantage in the age of AI is the knowledge you already own?

Join Rob Barnes, CAE, AAiP, CEO and Co-Founder of Betty:AI, for CESSE's upcoming webinar, "How AI is Transforming From Standards Documents to Standards Intelligence." A longtime association executive and technology leader, Rob has spent decades helping associations unlock the value of their most trusted asset: their knowledge. His perspective is simple: standards organizations don't have a knowledge problem. They have a findability problem.

During tomorrow's session, Rob will share practical examples of how standards development organizations can use governed AI to help users find, compare, apply, and interpret standards while maintaining authority, accountability, and human judgment. Whether you're exploring AI for the first time or looking to develop a pilot initiative, you'll gain actionable insights to help chart your organization's path forward.

Register Now: https://ow.ly/Vc6k50ZtxNK

Artificial intelligence is creating new possibilities for standards development organizations, but where can it deliver ...
07/29/2026

Artificial intelligence is creating new possibilities for standards development organizations, but where can it deliver the most value while preserving trust, authority, and human oversight?

Join Thomas Altman, CIO and Co-Founder of Betty:AI, for CESSE's upcoming webinar, "How AI is Transforming From Standards Documents to Standards Intelligence." With a background in applied statistics, machine learning, and association technology, Thomas has spent his career helping organizations turn data into action. In this session, he'll explore how governed, source-bound AI can support the full standards lifecycle, from research and retrieval to comparison, interpretation, education, and more.

Register Now: https://ow.ly/292Q50ZtxK2

In addition to 1 CAE credit, you'll leave this webinar with practical frameworks for identifying high-value AI opportunities, evaluating potential pilots, and implementing governance guardrails that keep people at the center of decision-making.

📸 The ACCESSE26 photo gallery is here!Take a look back at the conversations, connections, and community that defined thi...
07/28/2026

📸 The ACCESSE26 photo gallery is here!

Take a look back at the conversations, connections, and community that defined this year's conference in Raleigh. Whether you attended or want a glimpse into the ACCESSE experience, we invite you to explore the highlights.

Browse the gallery and relive the moments that brought STEM society professionals together around this year's theme, Rooted in Purpose. 🔗 https://ow.ly/1s7G50ZtxvB

If you attended, don't forget to tag us when sharing your favorite photos.

Happy 4th of July! 🎆As we reflect on our nation’s journey to its 250th anniversary, we recognize the enduring values of ...
07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July! 🎆

As we reflect on our nation’s journey to its 250th anniversary, we recognize the enduring values of innovation, service, and progress that continue to shape our communities and institutions. We wish you a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!

The CESSE office is closed today in observance of the holiday.

Following a powerful closing keynote from Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, will bring the conversation full circle with a pan...
06/16/2026

Following a powerful closing keynote from Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, will bring the conversation full circle with a panel exploring the indispensable role of STEM associations in today’s research landscape.

These speakers will examine how associations serve as the connective infrastructure across policy, funding, and public trust:
• Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Lee Lilley, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce
• Louis J. Muglia, MD, PhD, Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• Doug Edgeton, MPH, MBA, NC Biotech

Together, they will explore what it takes to sustain scientific progress, strengthen partnerships, and position associations as architects of a more resilient and equitable research ecosystem.

📩 Know a colleague who should be part of this conversation? Tag them in the comments below!

We’re excited to offer association professionals the opportunity to earn credits toward their Certified Association Exec...
06/15/2026

We’re excited to offer association professionals the opportunity to earn credits toward their Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation at the ACCESSE26 Finance & HR Pre-Conference Meeting happening July 13th at the Raleigh Convention Center. This year, attendees can earn up to 4 CAE credits.

If you’re a STEM society professional working toward your CAE this year, this is a great opportunity to make progress while connecting with peers in similar functions.

Learn more at: www.cesse.org/finance-hr-pre-conference-meeting

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
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Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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