For All Association Professionals

Best Practices in Board Governance: Lived Experiences from Association C-Suite Leaders

Join us for the April 8 Membership Association Roundtable!

Hosted by the Village Workspace or Via Zoom (Link will be sent in your registration confirmation)
8:15 – 8:30 networking
Roundtable discussion from 8:30 – 9:30 am

Purpose/Description: During this roundtable, the facilitators will discuss various challenges and strategies to ensure that governing boards of associations are functioning to their highest capability relative to strategy versus operations. In particular, the concepts of strategy, structure, and culture will be discussed, along with various dysfunctions of a board will be reviewed inclusive of the concepts of rump sessions, fiduciary responsibility and stewardship, and micromanagement in the board room. The facilitators will discuss their lived experiences with these key dysfunctions, and they will offer practical tips in moving a board from one of low to high performance.

Speakers/Facilitators: Jeanne Blankenship, Former Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and Teresa Fraker, Executive Director, the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA)

Bios:
Jeanne Blankenship, MS RDN 
Jeanne Blankenship is a seasoned government affairs and policy executive with over 15 years of experience driving advocacy initiatives, legislative strategy, and coalition building. She has a proven track record of influencing public policy, leading strategic campaigns, and fostering relationships with policymakers at the federal and state levels.

As Vice President of Policy Initiatives and Advocacy at the nation’s largest food and nutrition organization, Jeanne spearheaded efforts to align advocacy priorities with organizational goals. She managed strategic partnerships, directed high-impact legislative initiatives, and ensured compliance with federal regulations. Her leadership extended to overseeing fiscal planning, donor engagement, and non-dues revenue generation through grants and external funding.

Currently serving as a consultant during a leadership transition, Jeanne provides strategic guidance on policy, advocacy, and government affairs initiatives. She has led major advocacy campaigns, directed lobbying efforts, and shaped regulatory changes that advance public health and professional communities. Her expertise in stakeholder engagement and coalition management has strengthened legislative influence and expanded grassroots mobilization.

In addition to her executive leadership roles, Jeanne has served on national boards and coalitions, including the Obesity Action Coalition and the National Hypertension Roundtable. She is an accomplished public speaker, policy strategist, and advocate for evidence-based health initiatives.

Jeanne holds a Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Dietetics from Arizona State University.

Teresa Fraker, FACHE, RN, CPHQ, CBN, CAE, Executive Director Obesity Medicine Association
Teresa Fraker is the Executive Director of the Obesity Medicine Association. Previously, she was the Program Administrator for the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in Chicago, IL.

Teresa has held certifications in both oncology as well as bariatric nursing and she has worked in multiple clinical and healthcare administrative areas over the last 35+ years of her career in the areas of women’s health, breast cancer, perinatal services and bariatric surgery. Prior to her role at ACS, she worked as a hospital administrator with oversight of multiple hospital-based outpatient clinical departments.

Professionally, Teresa is extensively involved with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). In addition, she actively participates in the Baldridge Program as a Senior Examiner, having served three different states in this capacity. She currently also serves as the 2024/25 Programs Committee Chair for CSAE, is a frequent speaker for the association, and co-chaired the Case Study component of the 2024 Annual Conference.

Where: Please choose to join us in person or via Zoom.
If you prefer to join via Zoom, select the virtual/Zoom option at registration. Once you register for the virtual option, an email with Zoom details will follow.

Registration: Our roundtables are another benefit for CSAE association members, included in your membership. $25 for non-member association professionals. (Registration is required)

Register here.