The American Society of Journalists and Authors tapped C2 Association Strategies, a Virginia-based firm with a long history of managing nonprofits, to be its new association management company, effective June 1.
ASJA’s executive committee and board undertook an extensive and inclusive search process to select C2 Association Strategies, which is led by company founder and chief innovator Cameron Curtis, CMM, CAE, who will serve as ASJA’s interim executive director.
“C2 and ASJA prize many of the same qualities, including creativity, innovation, and inclusivity, and Cameron’s warmth, candor, and encyclopedic knowledge of association best practices really stood out to the board,” ASJA President Darcy Lewis said. “We believe this sets the stage for a fruitful partnership that will guide ASJA successfully through the challenges facing the publishing industry.”
Background on C2 Association Strategies
Curtis has more than 25 years of association management experience and holds two important credentials: a Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) from Meeting Professionals International, and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives.
Curtis has held several leadership roles within ASAE, including currently serving as vice-chair of the CAE Commission. She also contributed to the 2023 book, Deserts to Mountaintops: The Collective Journey to (re)Claiming our Voice, an anthology of 22 stories of women’s empowerment and tenacity. In the chapter she wrote, “The Sound of Resilience,” Curtis shared her experience climbing the career ladder, dealing with toxic work environments and workplace trauma, and how taking risks saved her life and helped her reclaim her voice.
“We are thrilled to partner with ASJA as their new staff team because ASJA plays a vital role in championing independent writers and journalists,” Curtis said. “I look forward to working alongside their board and members to strengthen the organization, grow its reach, and ensure it continues to lead in an evolving landscape.”
In addition to Curtis, Shada Biabani of C2 will serve as ASJA’s associate executive director. Prior to working in association management, Biabani owned a public relations and marketing agency, where she developed and managed a regional lifestyle magazine. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and an undergraduate degree in communications and journalism.
Mark your calendars to attend the June 10 virtual coffee chat 1-2 pm ET, when ASJA President Darcy Lewis will host an “Ask Me Anything” session to take your questions about the new management company and other topics. Find out how to log into the coffee chat here.
Upcoming ASJA Confidential posts will share more about C2 and the inclusive search process the board undertook to select the firm.
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For more information about the organization, contact ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org.