30 Professional Association CEOs in New York State

Last updated 11 August 2026.

Professional associations are often the quiet infrastructure behind a profession or industry. They translate member needs into advocacy, learning, standards and practical support, while their chief executives have to keep volunteers, staff, boards and external partners moving in the same direction.

This is a recognition directory, not a ranking. The people below are current association, chamber or membership leaders connected to New York State, with a short note on the work their public organisations describe.

Why association leadership matters

A strong association leader turns a loose network into a useful place to belong. That means making the value of membership clear, giving boards good choices, representing the sector with care and building services people can use in the middle of busy working lives.

The best way to read this list is as a map of different leadership settings. Some people lead statewide professional bodies. Others lead chambers, regional business organisations or borough groups. The context changes, but the leadership task is similar: create clarity, make good decisions and help other people do meaningful work.

1. Kathy Suchocki

Executive Director, New York State Bar Association

She was appointed executive director in April 2026 after serving as the association's associate executive director. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

2. Vince Watchorn

Executive Director, New York State Association of Independent Schools

The association says he has worked directly with boards of trustees for 30 years and edited the NAIS Head Search Handbook. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

3. Robert Provost

President and CEO, New York State Tourism Industry Association

NYSTIA says he has led its work on marketing, data analytics, advocacy outreach and destination stewardship since joining in 2018. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

4. Jesse Lazar

Executive Director, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture

He is listed as executive director for both AIA New York and the Center for Architecture. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

5. Kurt Nolan

Executive Director and Counsel, Police Benevolent Association of New York State

The association's current professional staff directory lists him as executive director and counsel. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

6. Michael J. Herrmann

Executive Director, New York State Dental Association

The association's current directory lists Michael Herrmann as executive director alongside its elected dental officers. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

7. Pat Kane

Executive Director, New York State Nurses Association

NYSNA identifies him as executive director while describing the union as led by frontline nurses elected by members. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

8. Melissa Fleischut

President and CEO, New York State Restaurant Association

She leads the statewide restaurant association, whose team page lists public affairs, events, education and insurance services among its functions. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

9. Kelly McMahon

Executive Director, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York

PSSNY lists her as executive director of the statewide pharmacists' society. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

10. Carrie Laney

Executive Director, Empire State Society of Association Executives

ESSAE describes itself as a New York association for association professionals and lists her as executive director. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

11. Lisa Newcomb

Executive Director, Empire State Association of Assisted Living

ESAAL says she has been its executive director since 1998 after earlier work in member services. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

12. Stephen Acquario

Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties

He is the executive director of the statewide association that unites the voice of New York county leaders. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

13. Christopher A. Koetzle

Executive Director, Association of Towns of the State of New York

The association says Chris Koetzle leads daily operations and advocacy for New York's 933 towns. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

14. Heather Briccetti Mulligan

President and CEO, The Business Council of New York State

The council describes Heather Mulligan and her organisation as a statewide voice advocating for New York's business community. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

15. Robert Simpson

Chief Executive Officer, CenterState CEO

CenterState CEO lists him as chief executive officer for its business and economic leadership organisation in Central New York. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

16. Robert J. Duffy

President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

The chamber says Bob Duffy has led it since 2015 and works across the nine-county Finger Lakes business community. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

17. Grant Loomis

President and CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership

The Partnership's July 2026 update describes him stepping forward as president and CEO after its planned leadership transition. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

18. Stacey I. Sikes

Acting President and CEO, Long Island Association

The association lists Stacey Sikes as acting president and CEO during its leadership transition. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

19. Mark N. Eagan

President and CEO, Capital Region Chamber

A 2026 statewide coalition letter lists Mark Eagan as president and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

20. Jessica Walker

President and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

The chamber says she leads advocacy, policy and economic development for businesses across Manhattan. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

21. Randy Peers

President and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

He joined the Brooklyn Chamber as president and CEO in 2019 and has led programmes supporting small businesses across the borough. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

22. Tom Grech

CEO and President, Queens Chamber of Commerce

The chamber's 2026 team page lists him as CEO and president. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

23. Linda Baran

President and CEO, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

The chamber says she has worked there for more than 30 years and became its first woman president and CEO in 2004. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

24. Lisa Sorin

President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce

The chamber says she is its first woman president and also serves on the Chamber Alliance of New York State board. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

25. Marsha Gordon

President and CEO, Business Council of Westchester

The council says she has been its president since 2001 and leads Westchester's largest business organisation. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

26. Ward Todd

President and CEO, Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce

The chamber lists him as president and CEO and describes its work as advocacy, member support and regional business development. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

27. Frank Castella Jr.

President and CEO, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce

The chamber's 2026 staff page lists him as president and CEO. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

28. Stacey Duncan

President and CEO, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Binghamton Chamber lists Stacey Duncan as president and CEO. The Leadership Alliance describes her work across business and community development, including more than $1.5 billion in projects. That combination of membership leadership and wider regional work makes her a useful inclusion here. Read the chamber's current leadership page.

29. Robert Schneider

Executive Director, New York State School Boards Association

The Business Council's biography says Bob Schneider has served as the school boards association's executive director since January 2020. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

30. Charles S. Dedrick

Executive Director, New York State Council of School Superintendents

The council identifies Charles Dedrick as its executive director and as a link between the association and state education leadership. This is the kind of leadership that matters when an organisation has to keep member value, public purpose and practical delivery moving together. Read the organisation's current leadership page.

How to use this list

Use the list as a starting point for understanding New York's association landscape, not as a complete census. If you are planning an event, partnership or member initiative, check the organisation's current website before reaching out and make the reason for the contact specific.

The people here sit in different sectors and regions. That variety is useful because it shows how association leadership changes with the membership, the geography and the public purpose of the organisation.

Frequently asked questions

What does a professional association CEO do?

The title varies, but the work usually combines strategy, member value, advocacy, financial stewardship, staff leadership and board partnership. In smaller organisations, the chief executive may also be close to events, communications and day-to-day member support.

Are all the people in this list based in New York State?

The organisations and roles are connected to New York State, including statewide bodies and regional or borough organisations. The list does not claim that every person lives in the same city or that every organisation serves the whole state.

Is this a ranked list?

No. The names are arranged for navigation and recognition, not in order of merit, influence or results.

Related reading

If you are thinking about how leaders create clarity across a membership organisation, 11 proven ways to get your leadership team aligned is a useful next read. For the work underneath strategy and execution, 100 proven tips for Working Genius in the workplace gives a practical framework for seeing where energy and friction sit.

A practical next step

If your association's board and staff are working hard but still pulling in different directions, the next step is not another slogan. It is a clear conversation about what matters most, who owns the next decision and what work will move the organisation forward this month.

About the author

Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. His work is practical rather than motivational, with a focus on clarity, healthy teams and useful action.

If you would like to explore a keynote, workshop or leadership conversation for your association, email jonno@consultclarity.org.