A new year for ACES: Reflections and what’s ahead
Jul 16, 2026
By Gigi Sutton, MBA, Executive Director, ACES: The Society for Editing
A new fiscal year is always a good moment to pause, look back at what we've built together, and look forward to what's coming next. There's a lot to say on both counts.
Saying thank you
I want to start by recognizing the people who have shaped the past two years.
Heather Saunders completed her term as board president on June 30. Many of you know Heather, and if you do, you know she is someone who genuinely listens. Her collaboration during her term as president has been invaluable, and her commitment to strengthening ACES governance and our organizational foundation shows in everything we accomplished together, including the launch of our newly redesigned website. Heather, thank you for your leadership and your care for this community.
I also want to recognize Neil Holdway, our immediate past president, who has completed his term on the board, and Alysha Love, our Vice President for Finance, who also completed her term. Your leadership has meant a great deal to ACES, and I wish you both the very best.
Welcoming new leadership
With the new fiscal year comes a new leadership team, and I couldn't be more excited about the people stepping into these roles.
Mark Allen joins us as board president, and I am confident he will lead with vision and integrity. He is joined by President-Elect Constance Brossa; Vice President for Finance Lauren Filippini; Vice President for Records Samantha Enslen; Vice President for Governance Maisha Maurant; and at-large board members Amy Frushour Kelly, Rumit Pancholi, Barbie Halaby, Jamaal Pittman, Kristen Clark, Nicole Wayland, Andy Hollandbeck, and Dilane Mitchell. I also want to recognize Ellen Kuwana as Education Fund president.
Together, this team brings experience, dedication, and a shared commitment to making ACES stronger for every member.
What's coming this year
This is an exciting time for ACES. Our new website is live, and we're launching our job board and Editors for Hire directory with new features and improvements soon. We'll also be rolling out community features that will give members new ways to connect and engage with one another, something many of you have been asking for.
In September, we'll gather virtually for VCON26, three days of sessions, networking, and community. And in 2027, we'll celebrate ACES' 30th anniversary in Puerto Rico, a milestone that reflects how far this organization has come and how much this community has grown.
We're also moving forward on two initiatives I'm particularly excited about: the editor rate study and the value of editing research, both of which will strengthen our advocacy for editors across the profession.
The people who make it work
None of this happens without the committee chairs, task force leaders, volunteers, and committee members who show up consistently and make our work possible. Your dedication alongside the board and staff is what drives ACES forward, and I am genuinely grateful for everything you contribute.
And to our staff: Thank you to Maria Coxwell, our professional development manager, and Christine Steele, our membership coordinator and editor, for everything you do every day. A special thank you as well to our marketing partners, Nonprofit Marketing Nerds, for their continued support.
One last thing
My door is always open. If you want to share feedback, ask a question, or just connect, please reach out. Transparency and openness matter to me, and I want every member to feel heard and valued.
There is a lot ahead for ACES, and I'm glad we're doing it together.
