Association Forum Announces Forty Under 40 Class
By Todd McElwee
Honoring 40 stellar professionals from across the association and nonprofit industries, Association Forum has announced the recipients of the 2026 Forty Under 40 Program, which is powered by eShow and Naylor.
Honorees will be celebrated during the Holiday Showcase 2026: ICONIC on December 2–3 at McCormick Place in Chicago as well as in a special edition of USAE.
“I came away from this year’s selection process genuinely inspired. The extraordinary talent, leadership, and accomplishments represented made choosing just 40 honorees especially challenging for the committee,” said Steve Smith, CAE, FAAMSE, CEO of the Association Management Center and Chair of Association Forum’s Awards and Scholarships Committee.
“That’s a wonderful problem to have and an encouraging sign for the future of our profession. Congratulations to the 2026 Forty Under 40. I look forward to seeing the impact these talented leaders will continue to make within the association community,”
Association Forum’s Forty Under 40 program is in its 13th year. Organizers noted this year’s program saw 89 applicants, a record number, reflecting the growing energy and innovation within the field.
“These trailblazers are redefining what leadership looks like in our industry,” said Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO of Association Forum. “Their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to progress are shaping the future of our community and inspiring others to reach new heights.”
“Every year, this class reminds me that the future of our profession is already here and already leading,” said Vicki Loise, CMP, CAE, CEO of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening and Chair of the Association Forum Board of Directors. “The 2026 honorees are building stronger organizations, lifting up the people around them, and giving back to the community that shaped them. On behalf of the Board, congratulations.”
Find the complete class here.
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