Get To Know Your New President – Shannon McCabe, CAE
What drew you to the association industry? As I was finishing grad school, an association for which my advisor served on the board was hiring a programs coordinator. He knew I'd be interested in the position because it had forestry education components which was the focus of my Master's research and continues to be a passion of mine. Over time, my focus shifted from programs to comprehensive association management, which allowed me to grow in that position and prepare for my current role.
What goals do you have during your presidency of VSAE?To foster an environment in which each member feels supported, that every new member feels welcomed into the family and every member feels compelled to be engaged and confident in having a network of peers to call upon to help tackle challenges and celebrate successes.
What are your top three tips for association executives?1. Obviously, join and be engaged in VSAE! 2. Don't be afraid to take on roles you've never considered or have experience with, you may find something you're really good at or passionate about. 3. Don't hesitate to call on other association professionals when you're facing a challenge, it's very likely someone in your network has tackled it before.
What are you working on that’s new and different? My association is wrapping up a membership campaign that we launched at our 2023 National Conference to celebrate our 75th Anniversary. With a flurry of applications recently, I'm hopeful we'll reach our goal of 75 for 75! We are also working on transitioning our office from brick and mortar to a fully virtual office later this year.
What is your greatest challenge at work?Meeting the needs of our national membership who regularly deal with regional or even more locally level specific challenges.
What success stories do you have about communicating with your membership? By far, the greatest success has been hiring an excellent Communications & Membership Specialist, Lucy Lynch! Another success we've had at ACF is Good Morning, Foresters. We started these informal virtual networking sessions in 2020 as a way for members to remain connected and they stuck. We still host them throughout the year and they continue to introduce members to each other, provide a space for advice, idea, and recommendation sharing between members, and spark ideas for ACF communications and activities to meet member needs.
What do you enjoy doing in your time away from work?I love spending time outdoors in any capacity, nights around the campfire are my absolute favorite. I also practice yoga regularly and rather enjoy finding and testing out craft cocktail recipes.
What have been some of your streaming binges?Not necessarily binges but my background or "wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep" shows rotate between How I Met Your Mother (my husband and I can quote far too many lines) and Friends. A few I've binged this year and enjoyed are One Day, Fool Me Once, and The Bear.
What’s on your music playlist? It’s quite the eclectic mix of music genres and decades. I'm a country music girl at heart but enjoy much more. The Beach Bonfire Playlist on Apple Music is a go to!
What sports/teams do you root for?I'm not so much into sports but proudly root for my Virginia Tech Hokies any time they play! I grew up in Baltimore so rooting for the Orioles and Ravens is just something we do.
What books have you read lately? Most recently, the Second Edition of the Introduction to Consulting Forestry, recently co-published by my association and written mostly by my members! I also just finished Just Breathe after being absolutely inspired by the practice and outcomes of breathwork during a retreat earlier this year.
What was the last great piece of advice you received? An ancient expression - don't push the river. A lot of us have this habit of trying to rush and move things along and we miss what's happening right now. Use the phrase to consciously remind yourself to be present in the moment.
What are three things on your bucket list? 1. Adopt a child. 2. Open a pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm. 3. Visit every National Park in the U.S.
What are you most proud of? Right now, my mom. Very recently she got to ring the bell upon completion of radiation treatment following a surgery and course of chemoradiotherapy earlier this year.
Do you have any pets?I have two rescue dogs, a foxhound mix, Sport, and a chihuahua-pug-terrier mix, Mama Dawg. I also have a fish, Speckles, who started life as a baitfish that I decided I'd let live out his (what I assumed to be few) remaining days with us. It's now been four years.
What are your go-to podcasts? 10 Percent Happier and Soul Sessions with Amanda Riger Green.
