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Dawn Sweeney, FASAE, Announced as Inaugural Women of Influence

By Dan Shea posted 02-26-2018 15:51

  

CHICAGO (March 7, 2018) — Association Forum is pleased to announce Dawn Sweeney, FASAE, president and CEO, National Restaurant Association as the inaugural 2018 Women’s Executive Forum: Woman of Influence.

Being a Woman of Influence is a recognition of her exceptional achievements and contributions to the advancement of the association management profession and society. Dawn is recognized for her tireless leadership as the first female CEO of the largest trade group for the U.S. restaurant industry, National Restaurant Association, with locations in Washington, D.C. and Chicago.

“I’m honored to accept the 2018 Women’s Executive Forum’s Woman of Influence Award. The nation’s association community and its many women leaders have inspired, nurtured and encouraged me through every phase of my career. It’s a privilege to receive this inaugural award and to be among the thousands of women who are helping to lead the way for America’s professions, trades, businesses and other communities,” says Sweeney.

“As a trailblazer, Dawn has demonstrated with excellence a proven track record of innovation, impact and paying it forward through coaching, mentoring and service to others. Her exemplary accomplishments over her illustrious career is a beacon of success and a standard of excellence that only a few have or can achieve,” says Association Forum President and CEO, Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE.

Dawn will be acknowledged at the 7th Annual Women’s Executive Forum on March 7, 2018, at the Marriott Marquis Chicago. Women’s Executive Forum is an annual assembly of female association CEOs, C-Suite executives and emerging leaders designed to facilitate candid conversations around specific issues, challenges and opportunities. This year’s theme is: Confident, Proud and Fearless! 

About Dawn Sweeney, FASAE,

Dawn Sweeney leads the primary business association for the restaurant industry. The National Restaurant Association represents all types of restaurant and foodservice concepts, including quick service, fast casual, managed foodservice, casual and fine dining - along with manufacturers, suppliers and distributors - for an industry of over one million restaurant and foodservice outlets and 15 million employees.

Before taking the helm of the National Restaurant Association, Sweeney was president and CEO of AARP Services, the wholly owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. She grew annual revenues from $175 million to $785 million during her tenure -- revenues used to support AARP's mission. Nearly 11 million AARP members used AARP Services products.

She serves on the boards of Save the Children, the U.S. Travel Association and Chairs the Bryce Harlow Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting ethics and integrity in lobbying. Sweeney is an active member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Committee of 100, the International Women's Forum, and the Committee of 200. She is also a charter member of Child Obesity 180 and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Hart School of Hospitality at James Madison University.

About Association Forum 
Association Forum’s mission is to "advance the professional practice of association management." Founded in 1916, Association Forum serves 47,000 association professionals whose efforts serve more than 37 million members and generate $22 billion in global annual expenditures. For more information, visit www.associationforum.org.

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