Mary Kate Cunningham is ASAE’s new Chief Public Policy and Governance Officer
When the new administration moves into the White House in January, ASAE‘s (American Society of Association Executives) newly promoted Chief Public Policy and Governance Officer Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, will be ready. She has led the advocacy arm of the 50,000-person-strong association body since 2018.
Cunningham, who was named a Smart Women in Meetings Innovator Award winner in 2023, started her career as a staffer on the Hill. She worked with Jim Clarke, former ASAE senior vice president of public policy, who was with the organization for more than 20 years.
Since taking charge of ASAE’s public policy department, Cunningham has seen many successes, including representing associations in pandemic relief measures and tackling issues related to the tax treatment of association revenue streams. As the U.S. looks towards the incoming 119th Congress and its key, highly publicized tax reform agenda, Cunningham is at work leading the formation of an ASAE Tax Reform Coalition to defend the tax-exempt sector.
Since associations are essentially the largest providers of post-college education and skills training, she advocates for the Power of Associations on everything from conscious inclusion to workforce development.
As the chief public policy and governance officer, Cunningham will continue to report to ASAE president and CEO Michelle Mason while also taking on the additional responsibility of acting as senior liaison to ASAE’s board of directors.
“Associations are the backbone of workforce development, economic resilience and community impact,” Cunningham states in a press release. “I am honored to take on this expanded role and look forward to supporting Michelle, ASAE’s board of directors, staff and members to ensure associations have a strong voice in shaping public policy and have favorable conditions to carry out their vital missions.”
As ASAE continues in its mission to advance association advocacy and empower association leaders, Cunningham’s key position enables ASAE to spearhead a policy environment that creates positive impact for the association sector. Her dual focus in both public policy and governance demonstrates ASAE’s commitment to impactful policy work and organizational governance during a pivotal transition period for associations.
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