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The Association of Child Life Professionals Selects Alison E. Heron, MBA, CAE To Fill CEO Role

Heron ACLP CEO

Washington D.C. (June 17, 2021) – The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) announced yesterday the selection of Alison E. Heron, MBA, CAE, as their next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 12, 2021. Heron’s professional experience includes more than 26 years in a variety of associations.

Heron joins ACLP from her most recent role as the Senior Director, Membership and Customer Relations for the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Heron is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and a 2008-2009 ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Scholar.

In ACLP’s recent announcement, they said Heron is a data-driven and a high-achieving visionary leader committed to advancing an organization’s strategic goals through diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, transformational leadership, trend/data analysis, and commitment to high-level customer service interaction.

Heron earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Strayer University in 2000 and her M.B.A. from the University of Maryland University College in 2019.

About ACLP

 Founded in 1982, ACLP advances the field of child life by establishing and maintaining standards of practice, providing professional development opportunities, and overseeing a rigorous credentialing program. ACLP advances the credibility of the child life profession by fostering research and promoting the standards of child life practice on a North American and global level. ACLP’s vision is that every child and family have access to comprehensive services provided by a child life professional as an integral part of their health care experience.

About Sterling Martin Associates

Sterling Martin Associates (SMA) is a national executive search firm founded in 2006 by CEO and Managing Partner, David Martin. SMA specializes in working with associations and nonprofit organizations on senior-level executive searches. With five office locations in Washington, DC, Chicago, Portland, New York, and California, SMA offers national reach and scope while providing superior quality of service in a cost-effective manner. Our partners and consultants bring association, nonprofit and for-profit management experience to each of our client engagements. Our team also serves as volunteers for a wide range of nonprofit governing boards.

Sterling Martin

Sterling Martin (SM) is a leading specialty national search firm conducting chief executive-level searches for associations, nonprofits, and organizations across diverse specialties. SM has built an outstanding reputation by providing impeccable service to its clients and by placing exceptional talent. Based primarily in Washington, DC, SM has offices in New York, Chicago, and Orange County, CA.

Since founding the firm in 2006 with a mission to combine his search expertise with nonprofit board experience, David Martin now leads a highly experienced and diverse team, combining in-depth client analysis with the latest search technologies to create effective, personalized searches. Since the day he founded the firm, David has personally taken a leadership role with every search, for every client.

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