On September 27, AMC CEO Steve Smith and DEI & Membership Engagement Manager Linda Sterling will lead a session at Association Forum’s Summit on Welcoming Environment on how to be a more effective and authentic ally to BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) colleagues, association members, and board volunteers.

In their session, “How to Become an Authentic Ally” Steve and Linda will draw on their years of experience as leaders within the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) space to share strategies and lead an interactive discussion on using privilege to empower others, understanding the difference between being an ally and accomplice, and identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with being an anti-racist.

Steve Smith, MS CAE FAAMSE, is CEO of AMC. He is a frequent speaker and writer on leadership, association strategy, and DEI topics. He has also served in numerous volunteer leadership roles with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), AMC Institute (AMCI), Association Forum of Chicagoland, and American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE). He also participates in CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, a coalition of over 2,000 CEOs who are dedicated to creating inclusive organizations and collaborating on leading practices.

Linda Sterling, is a DEI & Membership Engagement Manager, leading the implementation of integrated DEI strategies for AAHPM, a client partner of AMC. She is also the leader of AMC’s BIPOC Employee Resource Group. Prior to joining AMC, she was a project manager for United Way of Chicago and a membership specialist for the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, where she worked with CPS schools and community partners to recruit volunteers and members to offer program opportunities in underserved areas on the south side of Chicago.

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