Get to Know David Walsh, Executive Director of VSAE
Q: How long have you been in the association industry?
15 years – 14 years with SNAC International, which is the global association for the snack industry, and a couple association internships before that at InfoComm International, which then was the association for the A/V industry.
Q: How did you become involved in the association industry?
Growing up in the DC area and with my mom being an association ‘lifer’, the industry was all around me. I had the chance to intern with her associations a couple of times, and after graduating from college, I looked for a job in the association space in the D.C. area.
Q: Do/Did you have a mentor? If so, what’s a lesson they’ve taught you that you’d want to pass on to others?
One mentor had a motto that went, “Everything we do should benefit the members, and if it doesn’t, we shouldn’t be doing it.” It’s been helpful to step back and evaluate activities and offerings through this lens.
Another mentor during my career always encouraged us to get out in front of potential issues and not wait for them to find us. Whether that’s giving stakeholders a heads up, checking ideas with Board members first before starting an open-ended discussion, she always encouraged me to be prepared for any situation.
Another phrase that she instilled in me was “lift and shift” – always be on the lookout for things that are working elsewhere and see how we can incorporate them to provide value for members.
Q: If you could advise young professionals in the industry, what would it be?
No matter what role you’re in – sales, finance, membership, meetings, etc. – work hard to not only grow your professional network, but keep it fresh. Building and maintaining relationships have been critical to my growth in the association world as well as in my previous association’s industry (the snack industry). It’s always easier to ask for a referral or sponsorship when you have a strong relationship in place.
Q: What are some of your primary focus areas as Executive Director of VSAE?
As I’m getting started, I’m focused on how we can deliver the strongest possible value to both our association professional and associate members across VSAE’s mission of connecting, learning, and leading. Listening to what our members want to learn about and shaping programming and structured networking opportunities that respond directly to those needs will be central to boosting engagement.
I also want to continue clarifying and communicating the value of VSAE membership, including core benefits like affordable CAE credits, meaningful speaking opportunities for members, and the sense of community that sets VSAE apart. A key part of our strategic plan is expanding engagement across the Commonwealth, including Northern Virginia, and I believe we have a real opportunity to differentiate ourselves in a crowded space. We offer a wide range of programs that touch nearly every part of association management, so making that value proposition clear will be important as we work to attract new members.
In my first few weeks, I’ve also seen how passionate and creative our members are, and I’m eager to partner with these leaders to test new ideas and see what works best for VSAE’s future. Whether it’s fresh session topics, new ways to bring people together, or opportunities to involve more staff-level professionals, there’s a lot we can build on.
Coming from a background in membership development and sponsorship, I’m equally committed to ensuring our Partners continue to find real value in being part of this community. They play a vital role in helping VSAE thrive, and I want to deepen their connection to our mission while recognizing the contributions they make to the Society’s success.
Q: What are your hobbies/favorite activities outside of work?
My wife and I have four children, ages six and under, so it’s all about getting to the park, playgrounds, creek etc. When feeling brave, we’ll go hiking (proud to say we’ve hauled all the kids up a mountain a couple times). I enjoy playing golf, basketball, grilling, working out, reading, and watching DC and UVA sports. During the summer, we’ll go down to my in-laws' cabin on Lake Gaston a few times, where I'm learning to wakeboard.
Q: What’s on your music playlist?
I listen to a little bit of everything – rock / soul / blues (Alabama Shakes, Grateful Dead, CCR, Allman Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash), Irish music (Teada, Young Dubliners, The Irish Rovers), Country (Tyler Childers, Toby Keith, Zach Bryan, Alabama), and many more. Oh yeah, how could I forget – Frozen 1 and 2, Moana, Sonic, etc., due to the kids’ requests (okay, my wife and I jam out to those sometimes, too).
Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
Commanders, Wizards, Nationals, Capitals – and UVA, Go ‘Hoos!
