Fostering Strategic Curiosity and Embracing Innovation

In our inaugural episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, interviews Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CEO of Vista Cova and an expert in association management and professional facilitation. Lowell shares his journey into the association world, beginning with his work at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, where he enhanced student membership through relationship-building and innovative leadership structures. The conversation covers the significance of creating inclusive communities, encouraging diverse voices, and fostering strategic curiosity within boards for better decision-making. They also explore adapting to technological advancements like AI, promoting skill development, and the evolving dynamics between experienced and younger professionals.

This episode is sponsored by Shores & Islands Ohio.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

Show notes

Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF is the CEO of Vista Cova – a company that partners with organizations on strategic visioning and planning, reviewing & aligning governance structures, training stronger Board members, and providing expert facilitation. As an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator, Lowell frequently provides dynamic sessions to organizations - getting volunteers, members, and staff involved throughexperiential learning approaches.

After starting his career in the informal education realm, over the course of more than a decade, Lowell worked inside associations as a COO as well as in the realms of membership, volunteer leadership establishment and growth, and global alliance building. His passion for facilitation led to the founding of Vista Cova where he has worked with hundreds of nonprofit organizations from local to global, from trade to individual member and foundations.

In addition to his role as CEO, Lowell is actively involved in various leadership capacities within the ASAE, including serving on the ASAE Research Committee and as a past Chair for the overseeing commission for the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. He also chaired ASAE’s Task Force on CEO Pathways and previously led as Chair for ASAE’s Component Relations Council. He serves on the Curriculum Committee and as an instructor for the US Chamber of Commerce’s IOM program. Additionally, Lowell has contributed significantly to the field, co-executive editing and contributing as an author for ASAE’s Component Relations Handbook, 2nd edition, and contributing chapters to the latest versions of Professional Practices of Association Management and Membership Essentials. He is committed to building a stronger future for nonprofits and associations, co-founding the CAE Scholarship and serving as a mentor for ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program.