Debra L. Lally, CAE
Executive Director / CEO, AACE International
Empathic Leader | Adaptive Communicator | Relationship Builder
United States
About
Debra L. Lally, CAE is the Executive Director / CEO of AACE International. Prior to joining AACE in 2020, she was the Senior Vice President of Professional Development at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. She headed up a new division to help scale the organization’s growth while overseeing the state’s largest Medicaid procurement for workforce development in community health. Deb is also the former Deputy Executive Director of AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management, where she worked for over a decade helping members become better leaders in their industry.
Deb began her career working as an editor on scientific and medical textbooks and peer reviewed journals at two of the world’s leading educational publishers. She is a self-proclaimed “word nerd” and has the occupational hazard of usually being the first to spot a typo.
She holds an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and studied abroad at the University College Dublin. Deb earned the certified association executive (CAE) credential in 2017, which less than 10% of association executives currently hold. She is an active member of ASAE: The American Society of Association Executives and the New England Society of Association Executives, where she founded and leads a forum for female CEOs.
Deb lives in the Boston area with her two children and a crazy puppy. She shows up every day knowing she has a lot to learn. A sense of humor helps.
Keynote Speaker
Everyday Leadership through Curiosity and Connection
When you put people first, the results will follow. We’re in an evolved era of leadership where effective leaders need to dive deep and become more mindful of behavioral patterns in their employees to foster motivation and achieve outcomes. This feels pretty complex and overwhelming for the majority of us who aren’t experts in human behavior. However, when we’re grounded in purpose, remain inquisitive, and share everyday moments, the people around us pay attention and contribute more.
Everyone, regardless of title or industry, has the capacity to lead successfully by being authentic and championing a culture of shared values.
There’s nothing revelatory about leadership. What makes it remarkable is our own stories. Getting curious about those stories and creating connections through them inspires us to be the leaders we always wish we had and perhaps never knew we could be.