AAOS CEO to Chair ASAE

An executives’ executive…The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Chief Executive Officer, Karen L. Hackett, CAE has assumed the role of Chairman of the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE). Hackett is board certified in healthcare management and a Fellow of ACHE, as well as being a Certified Association Executive (CAE). She holds an MBA from Lewis University and a degree from the University of Central Florida. 

Concerning how this new position will intersect with the orthopedic world, Hackett told OTW,

My new role as Chair of ASAE will bring me many opportunities to take some of the exceptional expertise of ASAE and bring new ideas and innovation to the AAOS. ASAE has a highly successful annual meeting with motivating opening ceremonies, interesting educational sessions, and new ideas in creating a paperless meeting and using social media techniques to promote the meeting. I am gaining many new ideas that I hope to bring to the Academy, although dancing out onto the stage when I am introduced may not be one of them.

She continued, “Every association has issues dealing with member communications, finance, demonstrating value, working with volunteers, education, evaluation of success,  and staff training and team building. As I bring my expertise and leadership skills to ASAE, I plan to learn from every other association and bring new ideas and innovation back to our Academy. For me, that is what leadership is all about–mutual respect, continuous learning, and being open to new ideas.”

Regarding what her time at the helm of AAOS has taught her, Hackett told OTW,

I take great pride in what our Academy has and continues to achieve in all of our educational endeavors. I have also gained a tremendous appreciation for the very important role of volunteers, whether someone serves on a board of directors, a committee, or helps as a media spokesperson, volunteers are what keep our Academy vital and relevant. I have also had extensive leadership experience in dealing with strategic communications issues, with crisis communications, with association image issues, with media relations, social media, public service campaigns, and with celebrating milestones like our Academy’s 75th Anniversary. 

She added, “One of my most important roles at AAOS is being the leader of a staff over 250 people. The role brings me great pride as I watch my staff succeed, innovate, and demonstrate value to orthopaedic surgeons. I am extremely proud of the staff I have built and I intend to help every association CEO learn the importance of team building and staff/volunteer relationships and mutual respect.”