ASHA is looking for leaders! Whether you’re an entry, emerging, or experienced leader, ASHA is seeking members who want to develop and enhance their leadership skills. Why? 

• Because we want to build a strong pipeline of leaders to ensure the future of the Association and the professions.
• Because the health care industry is changing in ways that directly and indirectly affect the professions. We need leaders who understand and can anticipate changes—those who can help steer the professions in the right direction to ensure their continued relevance.
• Because leadership skills are a critical educational component of career advancement as an ASHA volunteer leader or in the workplace.
  

The ASHA Leadership Academy offers ways to fill in leadership skills gaps between the skills you’ve mastered and those you want to strengthen. There’s something for everyone—whether you’re new to the professions or a seasoned leader. With the Leadership Academy, ASHA aims for all members to have the opportunity to enhance their skills. 

In defining a leader, ASHA breaks down the term into three categories:

• Entry Leader — Individuals who are about to enter the professions; those who are new to volunteering for ASHA or state affiliates; early-career professionals or members who have limited volunteer or professional experience but have an interest in developing their leadership skills. 
• Emerging Leader — ASHA members who have had previous involvement at the local, state, or national volunteer level. At the local or state level, service should include committee, board, or council (CBC) positions requiring participation as team leaders or chairs. Membership on one or more committees at the national level is also consistent with emerging leadership. Individuals at this level also may be editorial board members for the journals or be involved in ad hoc volunteer opportunities with ASHA. In the professions, they may be first-time managers or supervisors. 
• Experienced Leader — ASHA members who have transitioned to positions such as a CBC chair or an editor of a journal. In addition to having had previous committee leadership roles with ASHA, they may also be leaders in their work environments—for example, chiefs of audiology or speech-language pathology, deans, department chairs, directors of rehabilitation services, directors of research, directors of special education, executive directors, and vice presidents.