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.

We are excited to announce Penny Gordon‑Larsen, PhD as the closing keynote speaker for this summer!Dr. Gordon‑Larsen s...
05/27/2026

We are excited to announce Penny Gordon‑Larsen, PhD as the closing keynote speaker for this summer!

Dr. Gordon‑Larsen serves as Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor in Nutrition. A nationally recognized research leader, she has led a $1B+ public research enterprise and brings a unique dual perspective from her time as president of The Obesity Society. Her work spans molecular and genetic science through the broader environmental and societal factors shaping health outcomes.

In her closing keynote, “Rooted in Purpose, Built for This Moment: The Indispensable Role of STEM Associations in a Changing Research Landscape,” Dr. Gordon‑Larsen will explore how scientific progress is advanced not only through discovery, but through the organizations that advocate for it, fund it, and connect it to the world. Grounded in today’s realities, from shifting federal funding to workforce challenges and equity gaps, this session will consider how STEM associations can move beyond service delivery and step into a more strategic role as architects of the research ecosystem.

🚨 Early bird savings end today. Save $50 on your registration.
🚨 Today is also the deadline to apply for a Friends of CESSE Fund scholarship to attend ACCESSE26.

Register Now: https://ow.ly/ulaT50Z4urv
Apply to the Friends of CESSE Scholarship: https://ow.ly/I5yg50Z4urw

05/26/2026

There is something energizing about leaving an event with ideas you can actually use.

In 2025, 95% of attendees shared that they left ACCESSE with new ideas they could immediately apply to their work. This impact highlights the value of coming together with peers who are navigating similar challenges and opportunities. Whether you are looking to refine your approach or explore something entirely new, ACCESSE26 offers insights you can bring back and put into action right away.

Join us for the can't-miss event of the summer in Raleigh, July 13–15, at the Raleigh Convention Center. Register by May 27 and save $50. 🔗: https://ow.ly/VX0f50Z4ug4

Let’s take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. ...
05/25/2026

Let’s take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication ensure the freedoms we cherish today.

At CESSE, we are grateful for their service and commitment. We wish you a peaceful and reflective .

Stepping into a or role can feel like drinking from a firehose, especially in societies where mission, , and stak...
05/15/2026

Stepping into a or role can feel like drinking from a firehose, especially in societies where mission, , and stakeholder expectations move fast. The difference between a strong start and a rocky first year often comes down to whether the first 100 days are intentional.

In the session, “Mission Onboarding: Making Your First 100 Days Effective,” Erika Shugart, PhD, CEO at the American Physiological Society, will share practical, field-tested onboarding guidance drawn from interviews with 25 nonprofit CEOs and widely used best practices (including insights from The First 90 Days). You will walk away with the critical conversations to prioritize, the key documents to request, and the milestones that help new executives learn faster, build trust earlier, and drive impact sooner.

This is a must-attend for STEM society CEOs, whether you are the incoming executive or the team responsible for onboarding and setting your new CEO up for success.

Join us at , July 13–15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC. Register Now🔗 https://ow.ly/37wx50YYqRv

05/13/2026

There are two weeks left to save with registration, and now is the time to plan your ACCESSE26 experience!

Purpose-driven impact does not stop at the walls of our organizations. At the global level, being shows up in how societies share knowledge, set standards, and use their influence to strengthen trust and progress across the broader STEM ecosystem.

For STEM societies, “global” is not only about scale. It is about intentional collaboration across borders and disciplines, building partnerships that expand access to learning and credentials, and making leadership choices that reflect ethics, accountability, and long-term outcomes for the members we serve.

At , sessions will explore what it means to inspire purpose-driven impact at scale, translating mission into collective action that supports the future of STEM fields worldwide. If your organization is thinking about these components, we encourage you to register for , the only conference designed for STEM society professionals.

Register by May 27 and Save $50: https://ow.ly/6lhZ50YYrmt

AI is moving quickly across associations, creating real opportunities to support staff, serve members, and extend the ...
05/12/2026

AI is moving quickly across associations, creating real opportunities to support staff, serve members, and extend the reach of trusted content. At the same time, many organizations are asking how to move beyond experimentation toward practical, secure, and mission-aligned impact.

Building on the momentum from today’s AI webinar hosted by Results Direct | RD Mobile, this ACCESSE26 session, “Practical AI for STEM Associations: Empowering Staff, Preparing Members, and Driving Engagement,” takes a hands-on look at how associations are applying AI in meaningful ways.

Michael Jones, VP of Mobile Technologies at Results Direct | RD Mobile, and Megan Moritz, Chapter Success Director at ISACA, will share real-world examples and lessons learned from organizations actively using AI today. During this interactive breakout, participants will explore how AI can streamline internal workflows, help associations deliver high-value AI education and certifications, and unlock the full potential of content and data to create more personalized, engaging member experiences, all while protecting intellectual property and member trust.

Join us at , July 13–15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC, to learn alongside peers and take away practical ideas you can apply right away.

Register Now🔗 https://ow.ly/CeeZ50YYqGa

We are pleased to welcome Steve Russell, AAiP, Solutions Consultant at Results Direct | RD Mobile, as a presenter for th...
05/11/2026

We are pleased to welcome Steve Russell, AAiP, Solutions Consultant at Results Direct | RD Mobile, as a presenter for the webinar How AI Is Transforming STEM Society Websites.

Steve brings extensive experience in association communications and partners with organizations to strengthen their websites, support strategic goals, and identify new ways to engage members. His work focuses on making websites more effective, easier to manage, and better aligned with how members actually seek information and support.

During this session, Steve will explore how AI-powered tools can help societies surface relevant content, empower members to find answers anytime, and reduce the burden on staff through smarter governance.

🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/EF8C50YTF5u

We are pleased to welcome Laura Graham, AAiP, Senior Solutions Consultant at Results Direct | RD Mobile, as a presenter ...
05/07/2026

We are pleased to welcome Laura Graham, AAiP, Senior Solutions Consultant at Results Direct | RD Mobile, as a presenter for CESSE’s upcoming webinar, How AI Is Transforming STEM Society Websites.

Laura is a passionate association advocate who works closely with STEM organizations to develop actionable, goal-driven digital strategies. Her experience centers on helping societies use their websites as strategic tools to support member needs, improve discoverability of content, and align digital initiatives with organizational priorities.

In this webinar, Laura will bring a practical perspective to how AI-driven personalization, search, and content surfacing can create more relevant and intuitive website experiences.

🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/vZ9m50YTF2x

05/07/2026

🎥 Why ? Hear It From Our Community

For Toni Kervina, CAE, AAiP, Director of Content and Learning at The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, ACCESSE offers something that is hard to find elsewhere: space to step back, think strategically, and learn alongside peers who truly understand the landscape.

From and to and learning , ACCESSE brings together professionals across disciplines to connect, reflect, and move their work forward with purpose. As the only event designed specifically for professionals working within STEM associations, ACCESSE offers a dynamic experience that makes connections deeper and learning more relevant. This year promises to be the strongest yet, and we hope to see you there!

Attendees that register by May 27 save $50. Learn more and get registered at: https://ow.ly/jlWc50YTvPI

As societies navigate growing scrutiny and shifting expectations around work, leaders are feeling new and often unsp...
05/06/2026

As societies navigate growing scrutiny and shifting expectations around work, leaders are feeling new and often unspoken operational strain.

In the ACCESSE26 session, “Purpose Under Pressure: Managing Hidden Operational Strain in DEI Work,” Nicola Mohan, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Senior Manager, and Tiffany Swanigan, Vice President, Operations at Society of Women Engineers - SWE, will share a candid, case-based look at how one STEM-focused association responded to anti-DEI pressures while staying anchored in mission and values. Participants will examine how aligning individual motivation, organizational conviction, and member impact helped leaders navigate uncertainty, support staff wellbeing, and maintain trust without overextending capacity.

Join us at , July 13–15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC, to learn from peers and explore sessions designed exclusively for STEM society professionals. 🔗 https://ow.ly/4wJP50YTlag

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Chicago, IL
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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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