Honoring Excellence in Association Leadership

The award categories include:

SAMUEL B. SHAPIRO AWARD FOR CHIEF STAFF EXECUTIVE ACHIEVEMENT

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

The highest honor the Association Forum bestows on an association professional, the Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive Achievement, is presented to the chief staff executive (defined below) for career achievement, outstanding service, and accomplishments in association/nonprofit management. The award is named after Samuel B. Shapiro, CAE, as past chairman of the Association Forum and the American Society of Association Executives. Recipients of this award have made outstanding accomplishments in their professional experience and community.

Criteria:

• Recognition as an exceptional association/nonprofit professional who has advanced an organization's mission.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to serve as a formal and/or informal mentor.
• Overcomes challenges faced in a leadership position as a Chief Staff Executive.
• Demonstrated leadership contributions that significantly and consistently impact the advancement and/or recognition of the profession through service to the Association Forum, other professional societies, charitable organizations, and related organizations.
• Models leadership behavior by holding a CAE, or other professional certification in his or her specialty.
• Strong investment in association management.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Chief staff executive is defined as CEO, executive director, or equivalent level. This category includes heads of subsidiaries or foundations who report to the chief elected officer of the parent organization.
• Must have served as a chief staff executive within the prior 24 months of being nominated
• The applicant must have served five cumulative years as an association/nonprofit chief staff executive.
• All members of Association Forum are eligible for this award.
• Nominees must have been a member of Association Forum for the past five years.
• Current Association Forum officers, directors, Awards & Scholarship Committee members, and staff are not eligible for this award.
• Previous recipients of the Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive Achievement Award are not eligible to apply
• Self nominations will not be accepted.

Once a nomination is received, the nominee will receive notice that they have been nominated and be asked to complete an application.

JOHN C. THIEL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

SERVICE

The John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award is presented for outstanding service to Association Forum by a member. This award is presented for exceptional volunteer service to Association Forum, primarily through committee service or similar contributions. “Unsung hero” or “above and beyond the call of duty” are two ways to describe past recipients. This award is named in memory of the late John C. Thiel, CAE, Association Forum’s chairman-elect in 1990-1991. 

Criteria:

• Contributions that significantly and consistently impact the advancement and/or recognition of the profession through service to Association Forum. This includes committee involvement, volunteer leadership, and other significant contributions.
• Demonstrated consistent leadership commitment and involvement in Association Forum.
• The nominee must have demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the community through volunteer work and mentorship.

Eligibility Requirements:

• All members of Association Forum are eligible for this award.
• Nominees must have been a member of Association Forum for the past five years.
• Current Association Forum officers, directors, Awards & Scholarship Committee members and staff are not eligible for this award.
• Previous recipients of the John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award are not eligible to apply.
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Once a nomination is received, the nominee will receive notice that they have been nominated and be asked to complete an application.

CHRIS MAHAFFEY INSPIRING LEADER AWARD

LEADERSHIP

The Chris Mahaffey Inspiring Leader Award is presented to an individual who has established a culture where association professionals thrive. This includes initiatives that drive employee satisfaction, motivation, engagement, and achievement. 

In 2024, Association Forum renamed its Inspiring Leader Award in honor of former CEO Chris Mahaffey, recognizing his 45-year legacy of advancing the association community. As Association Forum’s CEO for 22 years, Mahaffey led transformative initiatives—including the organization’s name change and the creation of Holiday Showcase®. He was widely admired for his mentorship and impact. The award celebrates professionals who foster cultures of employee satisfaction, motivation, and achievement, reflecting Mahaffey’s enduring influence on the industry.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated support given to employees to actively participate in Association Forum and/or other professional organizations.
• Develops employees and encourages colleagues through coaching or mentorship.
• Inspires teamwork and collaboration internally and externally.
• Serves as a role model throughout their organization and leads from a place of inclusivity.
• Models leadership behavior by holding a CAE or other professional certification in his or her specialty.
• Leverage talents of people and encourage authenticity and wellness within their team.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Nominee must have worked in association management for a minimum of three years prior to nomination.
• All members of Association Forum are eligible for this award.
• Current Association Forum officers, directors, Awards & Scholarship Committee members, and staff are not eligible for this award.
• Previous recipients of the Inspiring Leader Award are not eligible.
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Once a nomination is received, the nominee will receive notice that they have been nominated and be asked to complete an application.

ASSOCIATION PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

LEADERSHIP

The Association Professional Achievement Award recognizes an association professional (excluding chief staff executives) who has demonstrated exemplary service in association management and achieved outstanding accomplishments within their organization. This honor reflects a deep commitment to professional growth, innovation, and personal pride in the association management industry. Recipients are distinguished as the “best supporting actors”—the dedicated doers and executors who drive excellence behind the scenes.

Criteria:

• Recognition as an exceptional association/nonprofit professional who has advanced his or her employer’s mission. They have achieved outstanding accomplishments.
• They have improved the performance or outcomes of their association through innovation, creativity and collaboration.
• Demonstrates exemplary service to the association community. This could include volunteerism to Association Forum as well as other industry organizations.
• Models leadership behavior by holding a CAE or other professional certification in their specialty.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • All members, excluding Chief Staff Executives, are eligible.
  • Must have served as an association/nonprofit professional (other than a chief staff executive) within the prior 24 months of being nominated
  • Nominee must have a minimum of three years association/nonprofit experience at the time of nomination
  • Nominees must have been a member of Association Forum for the past three years.
  • Current Association Forum officers, directors, Awards & Scholarship Committee members, award sponsor, and staff are not eligible for this award.
  • Previous recipients of the Association Professional Achievement Award are not eligible to apply.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Once a nomination is received, the nominee will receive notice that they have been nominated and be asked to complete an application.

WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT^® ORGANIZATIONAL AWARD

WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

The Welcoming Environment Organizational Award is awarded to an association that has demonstrated exemplary outcomes in providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and culture. 

CRITERIA:  

• The award will be presented to Association Forum members that are 501(c)3, 501(c)4, or 501(c)6 organizations. There is no requirement for an association’s minimum number of years in business or a minimum number of employees.  
• The association can be headquartered anywhere throughout the United States of America.  
• Any current employee(s) of the association can nominate their organization. Proof of support is required by the Executive Director/CEO.  
• Current associations represented on the Association Forum Board and Association Forum Foundation cannot be considered in the same year the award is presented.  
• An association can apply and receive the award multiple times but not within five (5) years of receiving the award.
• There is no limit to the number of times an organization can apply for the award. The current Executive Director/CEO will need to sign off on re-application.  

WOMAN OF INFLUENCE™ AWARD

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

The Woman of Influence™ Award recognizes an exceptional woman association executive who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the association management industry. Recipients are recognized for their tireless leadership, track record of impact, innovation, and paying it forward through coaching, mentoring, and service to others. 

Awardees have confronted and overcome systemic challenges faced by women in leadership, such as barriers to advancement, representation, and inclusion. Through advocacy, mentorship, and strategic initiatives, they have created pathways for future women leaders, fostered inclusive cultures, and driven meaningful change that addresses inequities. Their impact is seen not only in their personal achievements but also in the opportunities and support they have cultivated for others, helping to dismantle obstacles and build a more equitable profession.

CRITERIA:

• Recognition as an exceptional association/nonprofit professional who has advanced an organization's mission.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive leadership and making space for more women leaders.
• Encourages women in association management through mentoring, coaching, and advocacy.
• Made contributions that significantly and consistently impact the advancement and/or recognition of the profession through support and involvement in Association Forum.
• Commitment to value differences and create a Welcoming Environment® that is comfortable, inclusive, and empowering.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• All members of Association Forum are eligible for this award.
• The nominee must have worked in association management for a minimum of five years prior to nomination
• Current Association Forum officers, directors, staff, and Women’s Executive Forum Program Advisory Group Committee members are not eligible for this award
• Previous recipients of the Woman of Influence Award are not eligible to be nominated.
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.
• Employees of the partner/sponsor of the award are ineligible to be nominated.

Once a nomination is received, the nominee will receive notice that they have been nominated and be asked to complete an application.