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2025 Annual Membership Meeting
 [Issued February 18, 2025]
Notice of ESSAE Annual Membership Meeting
Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM EST
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180
In accordance with the bylaws of the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE), we invite you to join us in person for the ESSAE Annual Membership Meeting, where members, colleagues, and industry partners will gather to install the new Board of Directors and celebrate our shared successes. Members will also vote on critical bylaws updates to ensure ESSAE’s governance remains modern, effective, and adaptable for future growth.
The Annual Membership Meeting will take place at 1:30 PM on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn Troy, alongside the TripleM Institute. ESSAE members receive complimentary admission from 1:15 – 1:45 PM to participate in the annual membership meeting. However, we encourage paid full-day TripleM Institute registration to take advantage of education sessions, networking opportunities, and the Annual Awards Luncheon.
The full-day TripleM event will also provide updates on upcoming initiatives, celebrate achievements in our field, and highlight new opportunities for networking and engagement, including plans for the 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show on June 12.
➡ Advance registration is required by March 13, 2025, to receive free admission to the Annual Membership Meeting (1:15 – 1:45 PM).
Annual Membership Meeting Agenda – Your Vote Matters!
1. Action Item: 2025 Board of Directors Slate
This serves as the official announcement of the 2025 Board of Directors slate, as recommended by the ESSAE Nominating Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
The Nominating Committee—George Swain (Chair), Courtney Carroll, Tom (TJ) Cote, Donna Denley, Jeremy Johannesen, and Lindsay Miller—selected candidates who will strengthen ESSAE’s mission through sound governance, active engagement, and leadership that reflects the values of our association.
The Committee unanimously recommends the following directors for re-election to the 2025 Board:
• Katie Phelps, Sales Manager, Radisson Hotel Corning
• Kristen Phillips, Director of Trustee Education & Director, Community Healthy Policy, Healthcare Trustees of New York State & Healthcare Association of New York State
• Donna Stelling-Gurnett, Vice President, Association Management Services, Hinman Straub, PC
• Kyle Stewart, Executive Director, Alliance of New York State YMCAs, Inc.
The Committee also unanimously recommends the following new candidates for the 2025 slate:
• Mark Dorr, President, NYS Hospitality and Tourism Association
• Todd Garafano, Executive Director, Discover Schenectady
• DJ McKeon, Regional Director of Venue Services, On Services
• Alex Thompson, Director of Advocacy, NY Association of Independent Living
The Board of Directors elects the following officers for 2025:
• Chair: Adelynne Waldie, CMP, Events Manager, New York School Nutrition Association
• Vice Chair: Amanda Grace Wing, Deputy Executive Director, ASBO New York
• Secretary: Tim Atkinson, Executive Director, NYS Veterinary Medical Society
• Treasurer: Megan Osika, Vice President, Park Strategies, LLC
• Immediate Past Chair: Ashley Ranslow, NY State Director, National Federation of Independent Business
➡ Directors and Officers will be officially installed for the March 2025 – March 2026 term following the Annual Membership Meeting.
2. Action Item: Bylaws Approval
In addition to electing the 2025 Board of Directors, members will also vote to approve revised ESSAE Bylaws.
The Bylaws Committee, convened in September 2024, engaged Nisha G. Thakker, Esq., of Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC, to conduct a legal review. The proposed amendments focus on clarity, governance flexibility, and compliance with current laws.
Key updates include:
• Streamlining the document for clarity, removing outdated sections, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
• Clarifying governance procedures, including board terms, executive committee succession, and meeting protocols.
• Expanding membership categories, allowing the Board to introduce new organizational memberships in addition to individual memberships.
• Adding insurance provisions and updating indemnification policies to strengthen ESSAE’s risk management.
The proposed bylaws position ESSAE for continued growth by promoting efficient, transparent, and legally compliant governance. We encourage all members to review the proposed updated bylaws and participate in this important vote during the Annual Membership Meeting. For reference, ESSAE’s current bylaws are available here.
A special thank you to the ESSAE Bylaws Committee:
• Chair: Addy Waldie, CMP, Events Manager, NY School Nutrition Association
• George Swain, M.Ed., CAE, Chief Operating Officer, New York State Association of Independent Schools
• Jeremy Johannesen, CAE, Executive Director, COSLA - Chief Officers of State Library Agencies
• Kathy Febraio (Retired), Former President/CEO, NYS Association of Healthcare Providers
• Ashley Ranslow, New York State Director, National Federation of Independent Business
• Maura Ryan, Executive Director, NY Government Finance Officers’ Association
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Annual Awards Luncheon - March 20, 2025
Join us as we honor the 2024 award winners at the Annual Awards Luncheon, held in conjunction with the TripleM Institute at the Hilton Garden Inn Troy on March 20, 2025, at noon (separate paid registration required). Celebrate with a table of eight!
This prestigious event will recognize outstanding contributions by association professionals and industry partners, celebrating their achievements and impact on our field.
Questions? Contact Us
2025 TripleM Institute - March 20, 2025
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