As we begin the first quarter of the year, I want to thank you for the momentum you all continue to bring to ACSM’s work. With my first year as permanent CEO nearly under my belt, I’m especially appreciative of the partnership, trust and leadership that make this work possible. Leadership is never a linear, predictable path. If you ask me, President Jaworksi, ACSM’s Board of Trustee (BOT) officers and members, ACSM committees and committee chairs or staff – or anyone else serving in a leadership role for this organization – I think we’d all agree that while challenges seem to be the norm, it is through teamwork and trust that ACSM remains committed to our mission, vision and values.
I was attending a conference last week for CEOs of science and medical organizations, and one of the presenters was using a tree analogy when talking about disruption and change. The roots of the tree are the core of who an organization is – values, mission, vision. Roots remain strong and enable the tree to bend but not break in the wind. Sometimes it is necessary to prune the tree, change the leaves, or plant some new, complimentary trees that will feed into the root system. This analogy really resonated with me as ACSM continues to not only react to challenges, but to proactively drive change to meet the needs of our members, certified professionals, and all who count on ACSM for the support, education, and evidence-based resources needed to achieve our vision of movement for all.
Looking back on 2025, ACSM continued to navigate the unexpected while making real progress in crucial areas for our organization and in our strategic plan—progress that reflects both thoughtful planning and our strong staff-volunteer collaboration. You’ll see that reflected throughout this issue including the ACSM BOT-approved balanced/surplus budget for 2026, strategic work on driving new revenue for the organization, tangible progress on governance realignment, and continued movement on critical advocacy priority initiatives, including our advocacy efforts around the Physical Activity Assessment and Referral (PAR) bill.
Looking ahead, there is a lot to be excited about. Planning is well underway for our Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, and the energy around the program and in-person connection continues to build – make sure you all register and get your hotel rooms reserved.
I’m also pleased to share that I’ve launched a staff team around the Physical Activity Alliance CEO Pledge. I am excited to explore how we can better extend the powerful mission and vision of this organization to our staff through new movement-friendly strategies that will enhance employee health, and I look forward to keeping you all updated on that work as it progresses.
Thank you for staying engaged and for the leadership you bring—your work is helping translate strategy into real impact!
