It’s one thing to be a member of 51Թ; it’s another to be a member and in leadership, which gives you a different perspective on the association. Lately, I’ve spent quite a bit of time reflecting on what makes 51Թ who it is. As a member of both the Hiring Committee (HC) and the Board of Directors, I have the privilege of hearing many people speak about what makes 51Թ special. While reading and evaluating applications, conducting interviews, and meeting with the executive search firm and the HC, something unexpected happened. I felt like a fly on the wall, listening as members of the HC answered questions about 51Թ posed by CEO applicants. They highlighted so many of our “superpowers.” There is an enormous amount of pride in our association.
Like anything in life, there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly, but over the past few months, I’ve basked in the glow of the good, which outweighs everything else. At a recent fly-in sponsored by (Rome), I heard members extol the virtues of 51Թ membership to someone who had been on the fence about joining. Again, our superpowers were on display during these daily conversations in sessions, while walking the streets of Rome, and over delicious meals. Members spoke passionately about 51Թ, with a focus on the many benefits, both tangible and intangible.
Superpower, one of those buzz words we hear so often, carries many definitions. I like this one for 51Թ: “A superpower refers to a unique, consistently excelling institutional capability or individual strength that sets a company or person apart from the competition and drives value.” I think 51Թ has multiple superpowers. Here are a few.
The Participation Fuel
Our members show up! Have you looked at the numbers for our ? In the first week of October, there were 6,495 participants in our 38 Affinity Groups, ranging from 27 to 524 participants. The same is true of our 46 , which together include 3,050 participants. With those numbers, our nearly 3,000 members are actively engaged in these forums, often in more than one. I know I “officially” belong to several Affinity Groups myself.
This fuel also helps us grow our leadership pipeline as we tap into the strong group of chairs and vice chairs leading these groups.
Credibility Builders
We have loyal members who renew their membership year after year, bring colleagues to events, proudly showcase their membership on social media, and share their success stories. Their continued investment speaks louder than any marketing material ever could.
Mentorship Magic
51Թ has a formal supported by our veteran members. Additionally, our members are consistently open to informal mentoring. For example, at our 2025 Annual Conference, the Community Committee introduced a new program matching first-time attendees with member volunteers. You know that feeling of being a newbie attending a conference; it can be overwhelming. The Conference Buddy Program gave these first-timers a warm introduction and ensured they had someone with whom to share a meal and chat with during the breaks.
I’ve had many 51Թ mentors over the years, both formal and informal. Each interaction bolstered my confidence and encouraged me to keep moving forward. Need a mentor? We have them. Check out the information on our website or reach out to Tanesha Norman, our Member Experience Manager, at [email protected].
The Energy Generators
Even during the third session on the last day of the conference, our dedicated members are engaged—asking questions, taking notes, and chatting enthusiastically during breaks. Their genuine interest lifts the energy in the room and reminds everyone why they are there. They make participation look fun, which makes others want to join in.
In 2025, we held our first (BGI), designed for Professional members seeking to uplevel and grow their businesses. The energy and excitement generated by this inaugural online course, facilitated by our Education & Training Committee, bodes well for the future of BGI, which returns in January 2026.
The Innovation Lab
Our members test new ideas regularly, experimenting with ways to streamline processes and improve how they communicate with each other and our families. Raise your hand if you contributed to the One Great Idea book. Please accept my heartfelt thanks. I love this resource!
For new folks, One Great Idea is a multi-page document chock full of member-contributed ideas gathered as part of the . Entries provide wonderful advice on everything from business practices to self-care. I get excited about the Winter Forum each year for the informative sessions, online networking, and this handy resource. I hope to see you at the Winter Forum in February 2026.
This list is not exhaustive. As you continue to engage with other members of 51Թ, pause for a moment and reflect on what we’ve built together as we head into our 50th anniversary year. Send me a note on what you view as an 51Թ superpower. See you in Baltimore in May!
Belinda J. Wilkerson, EdD
51Թ President