Navigating the Mid-2020s: Foresight, Governance, and the Future of Associations
Associations are operating in a period defined by accelerating change, shifting member expectations, emerging technologies, workforce transformation, and evolving models of community and value creation. In this interactive session, attendees will explore the key trends and forces shaping associations in the mid-2020s and consider what these changes mean for governance, leadership, and long-term organizational relevance.
The conversation will place particular emphasis on foresight as a leadership discipline, helping boards move beyond reacting to today’s pressures and toward building greater awareness of emerging signals, future risks, and new opportunities. The session will also examine how governance practices, strategic decision-making, and member engagement approaches may continue to evolve as associations navigate an increasingly dynamic environment. Participants will leave with a broader perspective on the landscape ahead and practical considerations for leading with greater curiosity, adaptability, and future-focused intention.
Meet Our Guest Speaker:
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF is the CEO of Vista Cova, a strategy, governance, and facilitation firm that partners with nonprofit organizations, associations, and foundations to design strategic vision, strengthen governance systems, cultivate board culture, and create powerful learning experiences. As an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator, Lowell is known for designing and leading highly engaging, experiential sessions that bring volunteers, members, and staff into deeper dialogue, shared understanding, and collective action.
After beginning his career in informal education, Lowell spent more than a decade working inside associations, serving as a COO and leading in the areas of membership, volunteer leadership development, and global alliance building. His passion for facilitation and organizational design led to the founding of Vista Cova, where he has since partnered with hundreds of nonprofit organizations ranging from local to global in scope, and from trade associations to individual membership societies and philanthropic foundations.
In addition to his role as CEO, Lowell is deeply engaged in advancing the association profession through volunteer leadership and thought leadership. He has served as Chair of the ASAE Research Committee and is currently completing his term as Past Chair, and previously served as Chair of the overseeing commission for the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. He also chaired ASAE’s Task Force on CEO Pathways and led as Chair of ASAE’s Component Relations Council. Lowell serves on the Curriculum Committee and as an instructor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM) program.
A frequent author and contributor, Lowell co–executive edited and contributed to ASAE’s Component Relations Handbook (2nd Edition) and has written chapters for the latest editions of Professional Practices of Association Management and Membership Essentials. His work focuses on governance, board culture, leadership development, facilitation, and strategic foresight. He is committed to building a stronger and more inclusive future for associations, co-founding the CAE Scholarship and serving as a mentor in ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP).
In Winter 2023, Lowell completed his Doctorate in Education with a focus on Organizational Leadership from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, further deepening his practice and research in leadership, governance, and learning systems. He has served on the board and in volunteer leadership roles with Shepeard’s Table and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and currently serves on the Brain Ball organizing committee for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Most importantly, Lowell’s favorite role is being dad to his three amazing kids, who provide daily reminders, perspective, and highly candid feedback on the quality of his dad jokes.
