CEO Update has named Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive of the National Restaurant Association, to its annual list of the top association leaders, announced in the magazine’s current issue. The list includes 20 association executives selected from across the country by the magazine’s editors. Sweeney also made the magazine’s inaugural list in 2009.
The magazine recognized Sweeney’s efforts, particularly in two legislative wins: interchange fee reform and the national nutrition disclosure part of the new health care law. Other criteria that helped land Sweeney on the list included how she ‘defined ‘imperative’ focus areas, collaborated with state partners and launched a discounted health insurance program in two states.’
Sweeney is quoted in the magazine about her perseverence and tenacity: ‘You need to keep going over mountains and through walls. ‘No’ means ‘Not yet.’’
The list of top association CEOs was compiled by CEO Update editors using their collective experience and expertise in association leadership, and by surveying association CEOs, executive recruiters and other leadership experts.
