Participation
The DELP program is designed to support association professionals with diverse lived experiences and a demonstrated commitment to building associations inclusive of people of color, the LGBTQIA2+ community, and those with a disability. All applicants who share these commitments are eligible for the program, and ASAE encourages those from groups underrepresented in association leadership to apply.
To qualify for the DELP Program, an applicant must:
Be currently employed full-time as a mid-senior level association employee
Demonstrate a desire to advance in their association management career and possess a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a mid-to-senior level association management position(s) or as an association CEO for a minimum of one (1) year
Have demonstrated professional, volunteer, or civic/community leadership experience
Be committed to fully engage in all DELP scholarship benefits
2025 Application Process & Requirements
1. Applications (and supporting documents as outlined below) are to be completed online and must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday, March 14, 2025.
2. The following supporting documents must be attached to your application at the time of submission:
- Current résumé: Submit a leadership résumé (not to exceed 3 pages) that includes extracurricular activities and highlights your leadership experiences.
- Recent photo (headshot with plain background; in-focus, and appropriate for professional setting; high-resolution of 300 dpi or better; and taken within the last 12 months). The photo will not be included in the selection process. If selected as a scholar, the photo will be used for any DELP promotional placements, including recognizing the new class on ASAE’s website.
- Short Bio (professional bio highlighting accomplishments, honors, and recognitions; written in the third-person point of view; and presents information chronologically—see Short Bio Sample provided). Bio should be between 250-500 words. If selected as a scholar, the bio will be used for any DELP promotional placements.
- Two letters of recommendation uploaded as follows:
- Letter #1 - From your immediate supervisor or CEO.
- Letter #2 - From a Colleague in the association community (i.e. board member, an ASAE member, industry leader, etc.).
** These letters, with appropriate signatures, must be uploaded in the application form and in the order indicated above.
Each letter of recommendation must address at least two of the following questions, not to exceed a total of 300 words:
- Describe a situation, event or activity that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to be a change agent or innovator, or where he/she/they has pushed the boundary of an organization. Please be specific in your response by describing what they did as well as the outcomes of his/her/their actions.
- The Diversity Executive Leadership Program is designed to support association professionals with diverse lived experiences and a demonstrated commitment to building associations inclusive of people of color, the LGBTQIA2+ community, and those with a disability and help them assume leadership roles in association management. How have you seen the applicant demonstrate leadership skills at work, in the community, etc.? What have been some of the outcomes that have resulted from their leadership?
- DELP is a 2-year program that provides scholars with learning, mentoring, coaching, and volunteer service opportunities to enhance their career development and expand their professional networks. As such, it requires commitment and follow-through from participants in the program. Please describe the applicant’s skills and readiness to engage in all of the benefits of the scholarship experience.
3. Applications must be complete to be considered.
4. You should expect to receive a confirmation/acknowledgment of receipt of your application after you hit submit.
5. Applicants will be notified of results via email in May 2025.
Ready to get started? APPLY HERE