The mission of digitalNow is to empower leaders to face challenges and critical issues with the latest strategies and technologies. However, it is not just about the leaders of today, but also those up-and-coming leaders in the association space.
The Leaders of Distinction program was created to help empower these future leaders with registration to digitalNow along with mentoring and network support during the event.
The 2021 class of digitalNow’s Leaders of Distinction is proudly presented by Cimatri.
Meet the 2021 winners
Kara Brockman
Kara Brockman is the Director of Conference Services for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Kara has over 11 years of experience in the association industry. She earned her Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification in 2017 and her Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 2018. Kara has extensive experience developing face-to-face, digital and hybrid events with a focus on creating cutting-edge, memorable event experiences that further the organization's mission.
Erica Holland
Erica Holland currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) in Columbia, Maryland. Previously, she served as the Assistant Executive Director for the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) and has worked for the American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) and additional for-profit entities.
Michael Jacobson
Michael Jacobson was named President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) in October of 2018. In his role, he is proud to represent the 1,500 hotels and other hospitality stakeholders throughout the state. Michael’s priorities for the organization include bolstering the industry’s advocacy capacity in Springfield and municipalities throughout the state while enhancing IHLA’s educational programs to serve as a resource for its members.
MJ Jones
With a Masters of Science in Business Analytics, as well as years of experience as a Business and Marketing Analyst, MJ Jones brings the digital and data-focused skill sets needed for our digitalNow community. MJ is someone who can help many in our industry to "connect the dots" in terms of technology, data, and service to members.
Robb Lee
Robb Lee serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for ASAE in Washington, DC. His responsibilities include management of marketing, enterprise strategy/management, product management, branding, and Associations Now, ASAE’s flagship media brand. His management responsibilities also include Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at ASAE.
Scharan M. Johnson, CAE, IOM
Scharan M. Johnson, CAE, IOM is a high-impact senior association leader with nearly three decades of proven leadership in building high-performance teams, optimizing operations, deploying innovative marketing campaigns, cutting costs, and identifying new and enhanced revenue streams. Before joining The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), Scharan was the Director of Membership Development at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), directing the daily operation of membership retention and acquisition.
Jacqualine Price Osafo, MBA, CAE
Jacqualine Price Osafo, MBA, CAE, is the executive director of the Society of American Archivists (SAA). In this role, she champions and expands the association’s existing work — and leadership — in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. She works to embrace new perspectives within the profession and the association as well as reviews the association’s program and product offerings to ensure that SAA is relevant to all stakeholders it serves. Jackie also works in collaboration with the Council (governing body), Foundation Board, volunteer leaders, and other related associations.
Tia Perry
Tia Perry is an accomplished association professional with 15 years of association experience who leads ABC’s inclusion, diversity and equity initiatives. Perry serves as a strategic thought leader to advance ABC’s IDE strategy, including the measurement and monitoring of the association’s initiatives and development of new programs and practices that effectively increase IDE awareness, supporting ABC’s 69 chapters and more than 21,000 members.
Jodi Talia
Jodi Talia is the Executive Director for the Emergency Medicine Foundation. There she works to support innovative research that improves the practice of medicine and springboards emergency physician’s careers. Jodi also serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development at the American College of Emergency Physicians where she helps healthcare organizations, companies, and nonprofits build strategic alliances to support emergency physicians in improving patient care.
Read their full bios on our Leaders of Distinction page and be sure to congratulate them at digitalNow 2021.
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