SIA welcomes Elizabeth M. Lucas of Lake
Bluff, Illinois, as its new executive
director. She replaces SIA’s long time executive director, Leigh Wintz, who has assumed a full-time position as Principal Consultant with Tecker
International.
 
Lucas comes to SIA with a diverse professional background. Her
experience includes 15 years with the American Massage Therapy Association and
the Massage Therapy Foundation, where she began her tenure as director of
marketing and communications, but served the last nine years as executive
director.  In this position, she guided the strategic development of both
organizations, which include 56,000 practitioners, 450 educational
institutions, and 51 chapters. Her work there included the creation of a global
expansion strategy and initiation of a worldwide partnership to recognize
massage therapy as a healthcare discipline.
 
“I look forward to taking Soroptimist International of the Americas
to its next future state…for women’s issues are important human rights
issues," stated Lucas. "It’s about time the rest of the world caught
on to this fact!”
 
As SIA’s executive director, Lucas will oversee the overall operation
and services provided to members and women around the world. She will work with
Soroptimist’s Board of Directors to craft the organization’s strategic
direction. In addition, she will guide the organization’s brand strengthening
campaign and efforts to engage more women in the Soroptimist mission.
 
“We are pleased to welcome Liz as our new executive director,” said Soroptimist
President Sharon Fisher of Langley, British
Columbia, Canada.
“Her strong association background as well as her considerable volunteer
experience will bring new energy to our efforts, and will ultimately be
invaluable in helping us to meet our mission to improve the lives of women and
girls.”
 
Lucas is active in professional and civic organizations, including the American
Society of Association Executives, the Association Forum of Chicagoland, Landmark
College, and the Guild of St. Mary.
She holds a master’s degree in business administration in global business and
organizational behavior from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake
Forest, Illinois; a bachelor’s
of science degree in marketing from Drake
University in Des
Moines, Iowa; and a Certified
Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association
Executives.

Soroptimist International would like to extend a very warm welcome to Elizabeth!