There are nine domains...covering all facets of nonprofit and association leadership, which I use almost daily in my work.
The International Association of Women (IAW) honors Merrill Drew as a 2018-2019 inductee into its VIP Influencer of the Year Circle. She is recognized with this prestigious distinction for leadership in entrepreneurship. The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online networking platform with nearly one million members, 1000+ in person and virtual events, over 100 Local US based Chapters and International Chapters in several cities in China.
Merrill Drew began her career in the eld of nonprofits in 2006 and associations in 2012 at the American Academy of Pediatrics. “While I was there, I had a boss who acted as a mentor for me. Her enthusiasm was contagious and convinced me to make associations my career,” she said. Ms. Drew eventually moved on to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, which she joined a little over two years ago.
In her current role as Director, Membership & Customer Service, she has a number of key responsibilities, including overseeing the day-to-day operations of the membership/ customer service department, developing and implementing market research, managing membership recruitment and retention efforts, overseeing the creation and development of membership categories, providing strategic marketing plans, creating membership collateral, managing department budgets and much more.
A firm believer in the importance of professional development, Ms. Drew has committed hundreds of hours to further honing her industry skills. She has obtained a Certificate of Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). “There are nine domains, such as leadership, knowledge management, membership development, governance, etc., covering all facets of nonprofit and association leadership, which I use almost daily in my work,” she said.
Continually striving to be a leader as well as a manager, Ms. Drew is rewarded when she sees how her team has grown professionally and looks forward to helping them achieve even more. As for her own future goals, Ms. Drew is interested into obtaining her MBA and eventually taking her career to the next level at a larger nonprofit and association organization.
About IAW: The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online professional networking platform that provides nearly one million women the forum, professional development and services needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Through 100+ local chapters, International Chapters in several cities in China and 1000+ in person and virtual events, members cultivate valuable connections, develop professionally, and promote themselves and their businesses. Founded in Chicago in 2017, IAW is a division of Professional Diversity Network, Inc (NASDAQ: IPDN), an online network tailored to provide diverse professionals in the United States with access to employment opportunities.