Mark O. Thorsby, CAE
Vice President — Consulting Services

“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 providing 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.

Mark is a subject matter expert in the field of governance, leadership development and strategic planning/thinking. He is an experienced senior association management professional and is a polished, professional facilitator and presenter. In addition to his practical experience in the field, Mark has made a significant personal commitment to the study and the teaching of volunteer organization leadership and strategy development. 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 Club to convention and visitors bureau to 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, Michigan.

Click here to e-mail Mark O. Thorsby.