The ACES Board President’s 2025 Message to the Community
By ACES Staff
Serving as board president is a privilege, not only because of the talented editors I get to collaborate with, but also because I get to see the many ways our members help ACES grow stronger, steadier, and more future-focused.
This has been a year of meaningful progress. Across the organization, we continued strengthening our governance practices so we can serve members with clarity, transparency, and care. The board has spent the year deepening its collaboration with staff, refining internal processes, and ensuring that ACES is positioned to grow in thoughtful and sustainable ways. I am especially proud of the work we have done around process and role definition to better support and guide all ACES volunteers: board members, committee members, task force members, chairs, and officers. This work is laying the groundwork for future ACES leaders to have a strong foundation, allowing them to focus more fully on strategic thinking and the long-term future of editing. I am grateful to every board member for the time and effort they have invested, and for the spirit of partnership they bring to this work.
Our committees play a central role in how ACES functions, and this year they tackled an impressive range of projects. The Advocacy Advisory Committee continued amplifying issues that matter to editors. The Awards Committee stewarded programs that honor excellence and leadership in our field. The Communications and Publications Committee supported the messaging and materials that keep our community informed and connected. Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Advisory Committee continued important work toward a more inclusive editing profession. The Membership Committee focused on supporting member needs, while the Recruitment and Development Committee helped create a more consistent pathway for editors who want to serve in leadership roles. The Training Committee helped shape programming that strengthens skills at every level.
Alongside that work, the Session Selection Task Force and the Crisis Management Task Force carried out focused, time-bound projects that support ACES’ long-term stability. Each committee and task force is supported by two points of connection: a board liaison and a staff liaison. This partnership is essential, and I want to thank everyone involved for helping turn ACES’ mission into meaningful action.
It has also been a year of strong programming and community engagement. Some of my favorite personal memories from ACES are tied to our conferences, both in person and virtual. The sense of community, camaraderie, and shared energy at these events is like nothing else. From ACES Academy to our conferences, the opportunities to learn, connect, and grow have continued to expand. I am proud of the work our volunteers and staff put into every webcast, every virtual event, and every gathering that brings editors together. These moments remind us why ACES exists: to support editors, to strengthen our profession, and to build a community where knowledge and generosity flow freely.
Looking ahead, one of our key priorities will be strengthening ACES’ role as an advocate for editing and as a clear, trusted voice for editors. We will also continue refining our governance structure, supporting committee leadership, and investing in programs that meet the needs of editors today. We are committed to being responsive, transparent, and future-oriented as we shape ACES for the years ahead. There is still important work to do, and I am excited for what we will build together.
Thank you for your time and your engagement this year. I hope editors feel a sense of confidence and security knowing that ACES is in their corner, providing advocacy, professional development, and support. ACES thrives because its members believe in the value of editing and in the community that surrounds it. I am grateful for each of you, and I look forward to continuing this work together in the new year.
Warmly,
Heather E. Saunders
President, Board of Directors
ACES: The Society for Editing
