Kitchen Cabinet

Where bold leaders connect, reflect, and rise

Join a confidential, peer-led leadership experience designed to help you grow through real conversation, real solutions, and real connection.

The Kitchen Cabinet series isn’t a workshop, webinar, or speaker series—it’s a support group on steroids. Built by leaders, for leaders, these confidential cohorts offer a space to get unstuck, share openly, and grow alongside peers who understand the pressures of association leadership. Moderated by respected industry thought leaders, each session is participant-driven and tailored to the group’s most pressing challenges.

Your leadership inner circle starts here.

✏️ Why This Course?

Peer-led, not presenter-led: No PowerPoints. No lectures. Just real talk from real leaders.
Safe space for tough topics: Discuss board dynamics, burnout, budget pressures, and more.
Local + national connection: Virtual sessions with optional in-person pop-ups.
Tailored content: You and your cohort choose the topics that matter most.
Built-in community: Moderators ensure every voice is heard and valued.

📚 Learning Outcomes

Throughout this cohort, participants will:

Forge trusted, lasting relationships across the association sector.
Leave with actionable, battle-tested strategies for leadership, influence, and resilience.
Face complex challenges with clarity — and swagger.
Reflect, recalibrate, and reignite your professional identity.

👥 Who Should Attend?

CEO & Executive Director Cohort: Senior-most staff responsible for vision, governance, and culture.
C-Suite Cohort: Senior VPs, VPs, and Chiefs driving strategy and execution.
Director Cohort: Mid-level leaders managing people, programs, or processes.

💡 This is a can’t-miss opportunity to get unstuck and hone your leadership. No slides. No fluff. Just the truth about leading.

🏛️ What is a kitchen cabinet?

The term “kitchen cabinet” dates back to the 1800s, when President Andrew Jackson relied on an informal circle of trusted advisors who would meet with him outside of his official Cabinet meetings—often in the White House kitchen. Over time, “kitchen cabinet” came to describe any tight-knit group of confidants and experts that leaders consult for candid advice, fresh perspectives, and strategic guidance. Unlike formal committees or boards, a kitchen cabinet is intentionally small and trusted, designed to foster honest conversations and collaborative problem-solving.

Association Forum’s Kitchen Cabinet program embraces this historic concept by offering leaders the opportunity to join an intimate, peer-driven cohort focused on leadership development and community building. Participants gain a confidential space to exchange ideas, share challenges, and learn from the experiences of others who understand the demands of leadership. By joining, leaders can expand their trusted network, gain actionable insights, and build the kind of meaningful professional relationships that strengthen their leadership impact.

🎤 Facilitators

CEO Kitchen Cabinet

MITCHELL DVORAK, MS, CAE, AAiP

Mitchell has over 30 years of experience working with a variety of healthcare organizations and multi-professional providers at the state, national, and international level. He has a passion for helping others by sharing knowledge, advancing research, improving patient outcomes, and building community. Mitchell's background represents a demonstrated commitment to mentoring emerging leaders and serving the association community as a speaker, author, and leader.

Mitchell studied Political Science/Public Administration as an undergraduate at the University of North Dakota and holds a graduate degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University in Chicago. In 2005 he was awarded the Certified Association Executive credential by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Mitchell was selected as a scholar for the ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Program class of 2010-2012. In August of 2012 he was named a Young and Aspiring Association Professional by Association TRENDS, and recognized as a Leader of Distinction by Digital Now in 2020. Mitchell was elected to the Board of Directors of Association Forum in 2015 and served as Chair in 2019-2020.

C-SUITE Kitchen Cabinet
CHERIE NEWELL, AE-MBA

Cherie is chief of operations for the Society of American Archivists. She is an association executive offering strategic direction, solutions, and results in finance, administration, and information technology. A proven change agent, adept at bridging gaps, addressing technology deficits, managing transition and driving organizational sustainability and growth in resource-constrained environments.

Director Kitchen Cabinet
nathan chamberlain, cae

Nathan is a transformative association leader with over 20 years of experience driving membership growth, operational excellence, and digital innovation. As Director of Membership at the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, he has redefined member services, earning two ASAE Gold Circle Awards and the 2025 Association Professional Achievement Award from Association Forum. A former Peace Corps Volunteer facilitator and trainer, Nathan brings an adult learner perspective and a deep commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and mission alignment. Outside of work, he enjoys adventurous travel, urban hiking in Chicago, golf, and following the many creative pursuits of his 11-year-old daughter.

Pricing

Prices are for 6-month cohort

C-Suite Kitchen Cabinet

Member: $350 early / $475 regular
Nonmember: $550 early / $750 regular

Directors Kitchen Cabinet

Member: $250 early / $350 regular
Nonmember: $400 early / $600 regular

Early rate expires on September 10, 2026

CAE Credits

This program is approved for (7.5) CAE hours toward the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE's) Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification.