CEO Arrivals

Snowden named leader of financial planners group

K. Dane Snowden has been named chief executive officer of the $8.4M-revenue CFP Board, effective March 16. He will succeed Kevin R. Keller, who is retiring in April after nearly two decades at the helm.

“After evaluating a broad field of candidates, our Board determined that K. Dane Snowden was best positioned to lead CFP Board forward,” said Board Chair Terri Kallsen.

Snowden joined CFP Board in 2023 as chief operating officer, overseeing certification, marketing, communications, public awareness, project management and human resources. He previously served as president and CEO of the Internet Association and spent a decade as chief operating officer of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. Earlier in his career, Snowden held leadership roles at CTIA and served as chief of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of William & Mary.

Spencer Stuart assisted with the search.

Brenneman to lead independent film and television group

Jackie Brenneman has been named president and CEO of the $14M-revenue Independent Film & Television Alliance, effective Feb. 1. She succeeds Jean Prewitt, who is stepping down after 25 years leading the organization.

“Jackie brings industry insight, legal and lobbying expertise, and a proven record of guiding complex membership organizations,” said IFTA Board Chair Paul Bales.

Brenneman joins IFTA from Attend, a theatrical marketplace connecting independent filmmakers with exhibitors, where she served as CEO. She previously spent nearly a decade at Cinema United (formerly the National Association of Theatre Owners), most recently as executive vice president and general counsel, and also served as president of The Cinema Foundation, the industry’s nonprofit arm. Earlier in her career, she practiced trademark and copyright law at Foley & Lardner.

She earned a law degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from New York University.

McCormack + Kristel Executive Search Consultants assisted in the search.

Holland to helm medical librarians group

Katrina Holland has been named executive director of the $3.1M-revenue Medical Library Association. She succeeds Kevin Baliozian, who is retiring after more than a decade in the role.

“We are excited to welcome Katrina to MLA and value her experience with a wide variety of organizations in both health care and related fields,” said MLA President Heather Holmes.

Holland most recently served as executive director of MedTech Color and previously was CEO of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, a $5M-revenue professional membership organization. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago.

Helminiak to lead color pigments manufacturers group

Robert F. Helminiak has been named executive director of the $611K-revenue Color Pigments Manufacturers Association. He succeeds David Wawer, who is retiring after more than a decade leading the organization.

“Robert brings the right combination of regulatory expertise, strategic vision, and association leadership to guide CPMA forward,” said CPMA Board Chair Aaron Hollman.

Helminiak joins CPMA from the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, where he served as vice president of legal and government relations. At SOCMA, he led national advocacy and regulatory engagement efforts and helped guide a strategic transformation that expanded membership and increased non-dues revenue. Earlier in his career, he held senior regulatory and advocacy roles at the Plastics Industry Association and the National Propane Gas Association.

He earned a law degree from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton.

Staff Arrivals

American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology — Victoria Forlini has joined $14M-revenue ASBMB as chief program and business innovation officer, effective Feb. 16. She most recently served as chief strategic operations officer at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology and previously held senior meetings and strategy roles at the American Geophysical Union, where she spent nearly 14 years.

Association of American Railroads — Emily Pasi has joined $70M-revenue AAR as director of public affairs. She previously served as senior director for public affairs at PLUS Communications, where she advised association and corporate clients on strategic communications. Before that, Pasi spent more than eight years at the American Planning Association, in roles such as public affairs director, senior public affairs manager, and public affairs manager, leading national advocacy campaigns and grassroots engagement efforts. Earlier in her career, she held public affairs and marketing roles at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

Conference of State Bank Supervisors — Chad Davis has joined $98M-revenue CSBS as senior vice president of legislative policy, effective Jan. 26. He most recently served as vice president for government affairs at the Cato Institute. Davis previously held senior policy and advisory roles at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and worked on financial services policy at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Financial Services Forum — Sarah Knakmuhs has been named chief communications and strategy officer of $27M-revenue FSF, effective March 2. She joins the Forum from M&T Bank, where she has served as the company’s first chief communications officer since 2024. Knakmuhs previously opened and led the Washington office of strategic communications firm H/Advisors Abernathy and earlier held senior government affairs, public policy and investor relations roles at consumer products company Altria.

FMI - The Food Industry Association — Jennifer Shawgo has joined $45M-revenue FMI as senior director of technology strategy and programs. She previously served as director of industry engagement and insights at SaaS company Afresh and earlier was senior director of product innovation and partnerships at food distributor UNFI.

Healthcare Distribution Alliance — Julie Galloway Mabeus has joined $28M-revenue HDA as director of policy. She most recently served as health program analysis and transformation lead at nonprofit MITRE.

Independent Community Bankers of America — Charles Yi has been named senior executive vice president of government relations at $49M-revenue ICBA. He had been serving as senior advisor to the president and interim chief of regulatory affairs since August. Previously, Yi served as general counsel of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and held senior roles at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the U.S. Treasury Department and on the Senate Banking Committee.

International Council of Shopping Centers — Andy Fishburn has joined $68M-revenue ICSC as vice president of public policy. He most recently served as senior vice president of public policy at the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and previously served as deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and chief of staff at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Investment Company Institute — Cynthia Pullom has been promoted to senior government affairs officer at $83M-revenue ICI. She has been with the association since 2018, most recently serving as government affairs officer for financial services policy. Before joining ICI, Pullom worked on Capitol Hill as counsel to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and as legislative counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives.

            Additionally, Kyle Gilbert has been promoted to government affairs officer for state policy. He joined the association in early 2025 and previously served as government affairs director for state policy. Before joining ICI, Gilbert worked at state government relations firm Black Diamond Strategies.

National Association of Business Political Action Committees — Sharon Sussin has joined $1.8M-revenue NABPAC as chief advocacy officer. She spent more than 30 years at the National Federation of Independent Business, most recently serving as senior national political director.

National Restaurant Association — Keri Stockland has joined the $117M-revenue National Restaurant Association as chief financial officer. She most recently served as CFO of global nonprofit DKT International and previously held finance leadership roles at professional services firm KPMG Advisory, Independence Air and consulting firm Grant Thornton.

Steel Manufacturers Association — Brandon Farris has been promoted to executive vice president at $3.6M-revenue SMA. He has been with the association since June 2024 and previously served as vice president of government affairs. Farris joined SMA from the National Association of Manufacturers, where he was vice president of domestic economic policy.

Structured Finance Association — Kevin George has joined the $15M-revenue SFA as director of advocacy. He most recently served as senior director of legislative policy at the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and previously held legislative roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Universities Space Research Association — Brandon Thorne has joined $64M-revenue USRA as senior vice president for energy programs. He previously served as senior director in the Office of the Vice President for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, supporting the management and operations of a Department of Energy national laboratory.