The ESSAE Association Leadership Academy Masters Program offers an exclusive, executive-level cohort learning experience tailored for mid-to-senior level association professionals. Over the course of seven months, six sessions and monthly “Cohort Connections” virtual meet-ups, participants will engage in high-impact, interactive sessions led by accomplished association and corporate leaders. Sessions blends expert-led discussions, strategic exercises, and peer collaboration to equip you with enhanced leadership and decision-making skills on critical association management topics.
2025 - 2026 MASTERS PROGRAM ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
When: Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 (Fridays once a month - 6 sessions over 7 months, does not include December) Where: Latham, NY (in-person only) Tuition: $975 (members) / $1500 (non-members) Financial Assistance may be available: Rita Lashway Scholarship
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PROGRAM SCHEDULE
All sessions are held once a month on a Friday, October 2025 - April 2026 (except December). Time is built in for networking and collaborative learning. Due to the cohort-based, interactive nature of the program, active participation is required, and only those able to attend all sessions should register.
2025–2026 SESSION THEMES & SPEAKERS
SESSION 1 (October 17, 2025): Association Executive Leadership Speaker: Robert Spangler Explore leadership styles, engaging staff and members, and organizational ethics through world-class association executive leadership insights.
SESSION 2 (November 7, 2025): Operations & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Speaker: Jerry Crisci Learn how to prepare your organization for the future by leveraging AI, strategic foresight, and technological change. This session explores current digital trends and operational strategies that impact long-term sustainability.
SESSION 3 (January 16, 2026): Organizational Communication & Influence Speaker: Frances Trelease This session dives into executive presentation skills, organizational storytelling, and the art of persuasive communication. Topics include delivering presentations with confidence, crafting compelling messages, and influencing diverse audiences.
SESSION 4 (February 6, 2026): Association Governance Speaker: Jeffrey Arnold Discover how to lead high-performing boards, structure effective governance, and facilitate generative discussions. This session will equip you with tools to elevate board engagement and succession planning.
SESSION 5 (March 13, 2026): Association Executive Leadership (Part B) Speaker: Robert Spangler What’s not in your job description but critical to your success? This session explores executive foresight, change leadership, ethics, and your evolving responsibilities as an association leader.
SESSION 6 (April 24, 2026): Future-Proofing Your Association Speaker(s): Megan Osika & Colleagues (Advocacy) / Kevin Testo (Finance) This session brings together timely and essential content on financial strategy and public policy. Participants will explore advanced budgeting practices, reserves planning, risk management, and advocacy strategies to strengthen long-term sustainability and influence.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
ALA Master's Level has been designed specifically for:
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ALA alumni ready to deepen their learning
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Association executives, senior staff, and industry partners seeking advanced development
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New CEOs preparing to lead with confidence
Whether you're leading a statewide organization or a smaller member-based group, ALA Masters will help you sharpen your foresight, strengthen your leadership presence, and build sustainable strategies to serve your board, members, and mission.
CAE CREDIT
ESSAE is an approved Certified Association Executive (CAE( Registered Provider. A CAE Registered Provider is an organization that has formally registered with ASAE's CAE Program and is committed to providing education that meets the CAE Commission’s standards for helping individuals earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential. CAE Registered Providers have received guidance on such standards and pledged to properly represent course eligibility for CAE credit.
When selecting a CAE-eligible course from a CAE Registered Provider, CAEs and CAE candidates can be confident that the course will be recognized for CAE credit as advertised. The CAE Program encourages candidates and CAEs to consider qualifying courses from CAE Registered Providers to meet the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the CAE credential.
ALA Masters Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 may be eligible for 15- 30 credit hours (subject to approval). Credit hours are awarded based on time spent in qualifying instruction. Attendees do not need to complete the full program to earn partial CAE credit.
ALA CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Enrollment in the Association Leadership Academy Master’s Level is a commitment to learning and professional development in the association management field. To be recognized as an ALA Master’s Level graduate and receive an official certificate of completion, you must attend all sessions. Participants who are unable to fulfill the full attendance requirement in one year may apply for consideration to make up missed sessions the following enrollment year. CAE credit hours are awarded based on time spent in qualifying instruction. Attendees do not need to complete the full program to earn partial CAE credit.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
We understand you may need financial help when it comes to professional development. ESSAE has established a scholarship program to ensure the continued professional growth of colleagues who represent and are dedicated to our profession. Details can be found online: www.essae.org/rita-lashway-scholarship.
STAFF CONTACT
Carrie Laney, Executive Director Empire State Society of Association Executives, Inc. 300 Great Oaks Blvd, Suite 300 | Albany, NY 12203 executive@essae.org @EmpireStateSAE | #ESSAEALA
Contact Us
WHAT DID GRADUATES THINK?
I had a great time learning from experienced association professionals while meeting and interacting with association peers who are facing many of the same opportunities and challenges I am right now. It was a uniquely beneficial experience that I am thankful to have been a part of. - Brian Fessler, Director of Governmental Relations, NYS School Boards Association
Participating in the Leadership Academy presented a unique opportunity to meet, engage with and learn from other association professionals. The thought-provoking information provided by the various speakers offered insight into valuable and timely topics. - Kate Kennett, Vice President, NYS Trucking Association
If you've been an association professional for any length of time, put ALA Masters on your list of continuing ed. Hear from subject matter experts on the topics most relevant to association management, participate in a workgroup to design a capstone project, and expand your network. You can never have enough resources. - Heidi Longton, CMM, CMP, DES, CAE, Director of Convention & Events, NYS School Boards Association
ALA Leadership Academy includes a small group project that is an excellent way to learn by working with others from the ESSAE community, and it was really great fun getting to know my group. - Tim Atkinson, Executive Director, NYSVMS
The ALA Masters program addressed those areas of interest in everyone's mind. The presenters were incredible and the takeaways just what I needed to move our organization forward. - Georgi Bailey, Executive Vice President, AIA NYS
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