Elizabeth M. Lucas, CAE has joined the AAO to serve as interim CEO. Ms. Lucas will be the association’s chief executive from Lynne Thomas Gordon’s upcoming retirement until the appointment of a permanent CEO.
“Our search is progressing well and we expect to announce the AAO’s next permanent CEO by April 2024,” said AAO President Dr. Myron D. Guymon. “In the interim, AAO management will be in very capable hands.
“Liz Lucas brings 30 years of strategic leadership experience and 20 years as a CEO and executive director with organizations that, under her leadership, experienced membership growth and increased financial strength through innovation and marketing,” Dr. Guymon continued. “She created and managed organization-wide processes for ideation, vetting, pitching, development, launch and support, which will make it easy for her to grasp AAO leadership and governance processes.”
Ms. Lucas has served as the CEO or executive director of national and worldwide organizations including:
- Soroptimist International of the Americas
- American Massage Therapy Association and Foundation
The AAO CEO works closely with volunteer leaders, especially the Board of Trustees, and is responsible for advancement of the AAO strategic plan by staff teams in finance, membership/member services, business development, advocacy, marketing/ communications, education/events and technology.
