CIPE Development Blog

Jakub Konysz, Senior Manager, International Development

ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership

Mentoring: NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG)

Background/Speciality:

ASAE is a membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing more than 11,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org.

Why did you decide to become a mentor for KnowHow Exchange?

"NAWORG is clearly an organization positioned for growth, but it needs assistance from an experienced partner who can help the organization continue to succeed in its work to represent and empower women in Nigeria, and other parts of Africa. The organization needs help with areas such as strategic alliances, capacity building, organizational governance, which are a perfect fit for ASAE’s expertise. We are thrilled to be able to share our knowledge and resources with the group, and look forward to providing a helping hand moving forward."

What potential do you see in your partner organization?

"NAWORG’s leadership has expressed a keen interest in learning about association management, and has shown commitment to strengthening the organization and the resources it provides to its members. As an association of women entrepreneurs working to strengthen the role of women leaders in Nigeria, NAWORG has clearly demonstrated the potential to be an organization that’s only going to continue to grow and increase its importance on the local and regional level."

Mike Slotznick

Mentoring: Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ)

Background/Speciality:

Business attorney by profession. Clients include trade associations. Extensive volunteer NGO experience in advocacy, community relations, strategic analysis. Web site is www.MarketInformationLaw.com.

Why did you decide to become a mentor for KnowHow Exchange?

"I volunteered for CIPE in Hungary in 1998 and in Romania in 2002, assisting in the development of business organizations in the post-communist environments of those countries. Since 1991 I have volunteered for other NGOs in Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Panama, Mexico, and of course (extensively) in the U.S. I'm committed to the processes of democratization, human rights and economic development, wherever I can be of most help. I believe that my capabilities are especially aligned with CIPE's work."

What potential do you see in your partner organization?

"The organization hopes to become a strong force in its community, and to spearhead specific economic development efforts there."

Peter J. O'Neil, CAE, Executive Director

American Industrial Hygiene Association

Mentoring: Association of Business Women in Serbia (ABW-Serbia)

Background/Specialty:

Peter has twenty years of non-profit management experience with trade associations and professional societies. He is a results oriented executive leader with a diverse background and established track record of successfully aligning resources with an organization’s strategic vision while simultaneously making the critical decisions necessary to move initiatives forward. Strengths include:

Significant accomplishments in the areas of financial and membership growth, strategy, organization development and building key domestic and international alliances and partnerships.
Creating a visionary, innovative and consensus-oriented culture that enables organizations to realize their fullest potential.
Solving complex business management and volunteer, board and staff relationship issues.
Developing enhanced marketing, communication and governance processes.

Why did you decide to become a mentor with KnowHow Exchange?

"I became a mentor for the KnowHow Exchange because I think it’s important to help organizations move forward and because we are all on a learning journey – personally, professionally, and organizationally – and this program represents an opportunity for me to learn and grow as much as I hope I am able to facilitate others learning and growing."

What potential do you see in your partner organization?

"I see great potential in the KnowHow program, not only from what assistance and support North American based nonprofit executives may be able to provide to emerging and developing markets around the world, but also from what we as professionals in North America can learn from our colleagues."

Susan Sarfati, CAE, CEO

High Performance Strategies

Mentoring: Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI)

Background/Speciality:

Susan Sarfati focuses on creating high performance individuals, teams and organizations to achieve extraordinary bottom line results. For 25+ years, she served as executive staff and CEO of the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, the founding CEO of The Center for Association Leadership and Executive Vice President of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She has created deep and extensive relationships in the association and business community. Her expertise focuses on leadership, management, sustainability, women's issues, creating extraordinary customer experiences and cultures, high performance organizational strategies, sales and marketing, innovation, and creating successful meetings and learning communities.

Why did you decide to become a mentor for KnowHow Exchange?

"I believe that the experience and expertise I have based on years of association management work matched the needs of this organization. I also believe in Selima Ahmad who I have had the pleasure to meet at various conferences in the last few years."

What potential do you see in your partner organization?

"BWCCI is an organization with a strong and solid founder, Selima Ahmad, who has worked tirelessly to develop an organization with a critical mission and a strong membership. The need is great and BWCCI has helped thousands of women develop business and empowerment skills. The organization is ready to take the next steps to strengthen its business model, transition to new leadership and put a strategy in place with realistic and relevant priorities for the future."

Jakub Konysz, Senior Manager, International Development

Mike Slotznick

Peter J. O'Neil, CAE, Executive Director

Susan Sarfati, CAE, CEO

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