Soc Corporate Governance

Vice President of Membership & Business Development

The Society is the only professional association for the role traditionally known as “Corporate Secretary” although in recent years - largely because of corporate malfeasance and the demand for socially and environmentally responsible investing - what used to be one individual is now often an entire department.

At the Society, I was responsible for the acquisition and retention of the Society’s 3,750 members (we were at about 3,300 when I started) as well as chapter engagement, sponsorship sales and service provider stewardship, creation of new products and services and supervision of all marketing and communications efforts. Depending on the day, I had a staff of two to three.

During my time, we Increased dues revenue by 15% and member count by 14% to over $3MM per year. I established and enforced branding guidelines while launching new marketing plans for certification program, ESG initiative and upcoming 75th anniversary.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In less than 3 years increased dues revenue by 15% and member count by 14% to over $3MM per year
- Established a calendar of direct marketing to lapsed members and prospects to professionalize the member marketing program, including direct mail, email and marketing automation
- Optimized the renewal series and created a mail/email/phone on-boarding program; increased overall retention rate to 88%
- Reintroduced an incentivized member-get-a-member program representing a 4% increase in member count in first 2 years
- As initial marketing efforts matured, identified and implemented outreach to potential new member segments including the "next generation" of members
Coordinated marketing and branding for Society-wide events, products and services
- Established and enforced branding guidelines for all Society communication internally and externally
- Outlined complete overhaul of Society website to personalize messaging for both members and non-members
- Initiated research into chapter strength and weakness including by geography, programming and outreach
- Launched outreach and marketing plans around new certification program, Environmental & Social (ESG), private company member outreach and upcoming 75th anniversary celebration
Managed relationships with service providers including $250K sponsorship program, writing and implementing service provider policies and service provider task force
As key leadership-level team member, attended to operational needs
- Oversaw RFP process for new IT managed services vendor and new AMS management vendor
- Led move committee for office relocation including site selection and renovation and day-of move

Luke Vander Linden

The Society for Corporate Governance

Vice President of Membership & Business Development

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

KEY STRATEGIES EMPLOYED

Where Else I've Worked