Richard Yep, CEO of ACA
A s I reflect on the unimaginable past year that included a global pandemic and an increased focus on racial injustice. Much of what we did and expected was about to change radically. In the past year, I've had more conversations about social justice and systemic racism than I could have expected. I am a better person to have these conversations with, and I owe my thanks to those I have spoken to.
In dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, ACA had to make decisions almost instantly to change the way we provide services, products and resources to our members. Our lobbying work for advisors and those they serve needed revision so that our message could continue to be shared with government policy-makers, the media and the public.
I have to express my deep gratitude to the following people for the way in which they have faced multiple crises and found creative solutions despite all the physical and emotional pain that so many have experienced.
I would like to personally thank ACA President Sue Pressman and her colleagues in the Governing Council. The vision, guidance, advice and support of our volunteer leaders at the national level have been key to ACA fulfilling its mission and exceeding many expectations. President Pressman entered a year in which she had to adapt to a very different type of service than any of her 68 predecessors. She accepted the challenge and faced what the profession needed, when it needed it, and carried on in a room we all don't know.
The ACA President and CEO work as a team and must rely on each other to get the best of what they can based on their experience. Dr. Pressman found ways to give speeches to our members, represented the profession through attending many groups around the world, and even had the energy to develop a new mentoring program that will benefit hundreds of aspiring counselors.
Representatives of the ACA Governing Council were prevented from meeting in their traditional manner and had to be prepared for more frequent, shorter-length meetings to be held via Zoom. They took the opportunity, and considering that the entire board has been successful this year, it can be agreed that they have continued to serve the needs of the members. I want to thank those whose conditions will continue into next year. While Dr. Pressman will remain on the board as the immediate past president of ACA next year, others will leave their roles on June 30th. Please thank me for your service:
Heather Trepal, former ACA president
Cirecie West-Olatunji, Treasurer
Mike Walsh, MP
Melanie Drake Wallace, trial observer
Judy Daniels, Special Advisor to the President
Donna Gibson, Representative, Association for Evaluation and Research in Counseling
Carlos Hipolito-Delgado, representative of the Association for Multicultural Advice and Development
Paige Dunlap, representative of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association
Elizabeth O’Brien, representative of the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Consultation
Edil Torres Rivera, Representative, Social Justice Advisor
Paul Peluso, representative of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
Laura Pignato, student representative
These committed leaders were significantly involved in the work of the association in a very challenging time. In addition to those elected or appointed to the board, two other people have come forward to help President Pressman: PhD student Anaid Shaver's assistant and President Mark Harding's assistant. We thank both of them for their service to the President and the ACA.
Another key group of executives are those who have volunteered for committees, task forces, interest groups, departments, regions, and branches. These colleagues worked tirelessly for the profession.
I also want to make sure that we recognize the 60 people that make up the ACA staff. When this association went to work-from-home status on March 12, 2020, no one could have known that it would last that long or that we would have to create projects, services, and an amazing virtual conference while we were sitting at kitchen tables or in the bedrooms. Little did those contacting the ACA call center know that they were speaking to the specialists on our member engagement team using laptops and phones located with these employees at home. Our goal was to work seamlessly from home for safety reasons, and I'm incredibly proud of everything my teammates have done this year on behalf of the profession and our members.
Last but not least, I am grateful to everyone who has the status of an ACA member. You have been amazing what you continue to do for clients and students. Many things can discourage us, but I find myself constantly reinvigorated by what I know you are all doing to make our communities, our nation, and really our world a better place. You are what keeps me going, and for that I am grateful.
As always, I look forward to your comments, questions and thoughts. Call me at 800-347-6647. 231 or email me at [email protected]. You can also follow me on Twitter: @Richyep.
