CEO Departures

Goldberg resigns at Realtors association

The National Association of Realtors® announced CEO Bob Goldberg has resigned. The group previously announced in June that Goldberg would be retiring at the end of 2024 after leading since August 2017. Nykia Wright, former CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, has been appointed interim CEO. 

The transition came days after a federal jury found the association liable for conspiring to inflate commissions from home sales. 

“We are delighted to welcome Nykia as interim CEO,” said NAR President Tracy Kasper, a Realtor® from Nampa, Idaho, and broker-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Silverhawk Realty. “Her deep experience driving organizational transformation positions her well to advance our strategy, vision and culture initiatives. I look forward to working with her, in partnership with our leadership team and staff, to continue strengthening our organization. 

Wright has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Carnegie Mellon University and masters’ degrees from the Indian School of Business and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Career Management Partners will assist with the search for Goldberg's successor.

Craig to depart neurological surgeons 

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons announced CEO Kathleen T. Craig will step down from her role at the end of 2023. Craig has been with AANS since January 2000. The group also announced the appointment of Ann R. Stroink, current AANS past president, as executive vice president. Stroink will assume the role of interim CEO upon Craig’s departure, effective Dec. 31. 

“We are tremendously appreciative of Ms. Craig’s dedicated service and numerous contributions to the AANS during a critical period in our long history, and we wish her great success in her future endeavors,” said AANS President Anthony L. Asher. “Given Dr. Stroink’s role in developing the AANS’ bold new strategic plan for the 21st century, she is well-positioned to work with the board of directors in executing the strategic and tactical activities in alignment with this visionary plan and the AANS mission,” Asher added.

Prior to joining AANS in 2022, Stroink spent nearly 38 years at Central Illinois Neuro Health Sciences, most recently as president and neurosurgeon.

She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Illinois Wesleyan University and a doctorate from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Agriculture group parts ways with CEO

CropLife America announced Chris Novak is no longer CEO of the organization as of Oct. 6. He became the group’s CEO in August 2018 after three years heading the National Corn Growers Association. It was also announced that crop protection executive Susanne Wasson has been appointed interim CEO.

Kincannon & Reed will assist in the search for Novak's successor.

CEO Arrivals

Quillen to helm historic preservation nonprofit

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced Carol Quillen will be the organization’s next president and CEO, effective Jan. 16, 2024. Board Chair Jay Clemens has been interim president and CEO since February following the departure of Paul Edmondson. 

“Following an extensive national search, we are delighted to announce that Carol Quillen will serve as our new President and CEO,” said Betsy Cahill, chair of the search committee. “Her record of transformational leadership in higher education, her ability to lead change with courage and sensitivity, and her deep appreciation for the importance of historic preservation in our democracy make her the ideal leader for the National Trust at this moment.

Quillen is currently a senior fellow at global nonprofit The Aspen Institute. Previously, she was president of Davidson College from 2011 to 2022. 

“The work of the National Trust at this time in our nation’s history is especially important. Places everywhere connect us to the past, expand our moral imaginations, and help us build a more just and humane world,” said Quillen. “I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and the staff to build a vision that will spark enthusiasm and attract broad support all across the country,” she added.

Quillen has a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Princeton University.

Spencer Stuart assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

Motion Picture Association—Ben Staub is leaving his position as senior vice president of government affairs after a decade with the organization. He will be returning to Washington, D.C.-based consultancy Thorsen French Advocacy as a partner.

Staff Arrivals

Information Technology Institute Council—Julia Massimino has joined the ITIC as executive vice president of government affairs. She was most recently a principal at consultancy Critical Mass Strategies. Previously, she spent eight years at music nonprofit SoundExchange as senior vice president of global public policy.

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies—Justin Hakes has joined NAMIC as vice president of public affairs, where he will oversee media and communications efforts. Most recently, he was vice president of communications and public affairs at the Consumer Data Industry Association. Previously, his roles included vice president of strategic communications at the American Council of Life Insurers and senior director and director of communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he spent 11 years.

National Association of Broadcasters—Karen Chupka has joined NAB as managing director and executive vice president of global connections and events, effective Jan. 1, 2024. She will succeed Chris Brown, who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down after 25 years with the group following the next NAB Show in April 2024. Chupka has spent the past 33 years with the Consumer Technology Association, where she is currently chief strategy officer.

Semiconductor Industry Association—Mary Thornton has joined SIA as vice president of global policy. She was previously head of trade and export controls policy at Amazon Web Services.