INCPAS Director-Leadership and Outreach Earns CAE Credential

Sherrill Rude earns the highest professional credential in the association profession

INDIANAPOLIS – The American Society of Association Executives has announced that Sherrill Rude, director-leadership and outreach with the Indiana CPA Society has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association profession and less than five percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE.

"This has been a professional goal for me for awhile and I am happy to receive the credential. I was fortunate to have a dedicated group of colleagues, peers and association professionals to support and encourage me along the way," said Rude (download photo).

To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years experience in nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 75 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. Approximately 3,300 association professionals currently hold the CAE credential, which was first awarded in 1961.

Rude resides in Indianapolis. She joined the Society staff in 2007. She is responsible for overseeing the Society's leadership programs, specifically leadership cabinet, the emerging leaders alliance and legislative key persons. Before joining the Society, she spent 14 years with the Indiana Pork Producers Association.

"I see the credential as a personal measure of my professional development and expertise. Having the CAE gives me the honor of being associated with the profession that I have worked in for nearly two decades and of being associated with some of the best association and non-profit professionals in the country. Meeting the requirements for the CAE allows me to better serve my members, colleagues and the profession," said Rude.

Rude received her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y., and majored in elementary education. She serves as a board member of Indiana Society of Association Executives. She is also an ISAE Ambassador and a member of the government affairs committee. In 2003, she was awarded the Staff Professionalism Award by ISAE.

The ASAE is a membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing more than 11,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies, and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the world. ASAE, along with The Center for Association Leadership, provides resources, education, ideans and advocacy to enhane the power and performance of the association community. For more information about ASAE and The Center, visit www.asaecenter.org.

Currently, more than 7,000 CPAs in public practice, industry, government and education are members of the Indiana CPA Society. The organization functions as an advocate for the profession through education, public awareness, government relations and promotion of high ethical standards. Programs and services offered by the Society are designed to meet the needs identified for its diverse membership. INCPAS serves the public interest as well as its members.