Mark O. Thorsby, CAE
Vice President — SmithInstitute

“If you like working with bright, energetic and passionate people to achieve success, working with association volunteers at SmithBucklin is the dream job.”

Mark Thorsby is responsible for SmithInstitute, which helps organizations develop organizational competencies including effective governance, strategic thinking and action taking, innovation, leadership development and change management. In addition, he provides effective guidance and leadership to organizations that are creating strategic plans, examining governance structures and cultures, defining relationships between organizations and their constituents, and evaluating organizational effectiveness. As an experienced senior association management professional, facilitator and presenter, he provides his audiences with the benefits of his theory research combined with the day-to-day practical experience of association management.

Mark’s entire 35-year career has been spent in the not-for-profit sector. He has managed, provided services to and consulted with a wide variety of trade associations, professional and medical societies, foundations and other not-for-profit organizations. He has served as the chief staff executive for seven such organizations. Mark joined SmithBucklin in 1994.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mark also has served on the boards of directors and as an officer of more than two dozen organizations. His view from the volunteer perspective makes him a valuable consultant to the not-for-profit community. His service as a volunteer spans both private and public organizations, from Rotary Clubs to convention and visitors bureaus to his position as an elected city council member.

Mark has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, which is awarded to fewer than five percent of association management professionals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College in Albion, Mich.

Click here to e-mail Mark O. Thorsby.