PPAI has begun a leadership change at the very top.
Dawn Olds, MAS, has taken on the role of Interim CEO and President – previously held by Dale Denham, MAS+, since 2021 – as noted to members in a letter from PPAI Board Chair Andrew Spellman on July 17.
- A longtime volunteer, Olds served on the PPAI Board from January 2020 to January 2024 and was Board Chair from January 2022 through The PPAI Expo 2023.
Shortly after the PPAI staff was briefed on the announcement Wednesday, PPAI Media sat down with Olds to discuss her new role, her immediate plans and being the first woman to lead PPAI in the organization 121-year history.
PPAI Media: Are you excited to take on this new chapter leading PPAI through a transition?
Olds: Absolutely. It’s super exciting. I’ve worked with the PPAI staff, even before my time on the PPAI Board; volunteer staff and things like that. I’ve always loved the team here.
Being able to help everyone as you go on to the next steps in all the great strategic initiatives we have in place. I’m super excited about it. I love all the people here. It’s like a family.
PPAI Media: I know you had recently retired. Did you have any hesitation when the opportunity came up to be PPAI’s interim CEO and president?
Olds: I had about one second of hesitation. I have a new puppy. Who’s going to give her the love and attention she needs?
In all seriousness, I’ve been retired for five months. I was just at the point where I was starting to feel a lot more relaxed than I normally like to be. Having a creative outlet or an outlet to share what I’ve learned over the years was a welcome opportunity.
When I told my husband about it, he had no hesitation. He was like, “I don’t want you to feel like you have to, but Dawn, I can see that you’re bored. This will be good for you.”
Summer’s not quite over and I really enjoy my outdoor activities, so maybe a moment of hesitation, but if that’s your only hesitation then what’s your big holdup?
PPAI Media: Do you feel that your time on the PPAI Board gives you insight into how PPAI operates?
Olds: I have a lot to learn. This is the opposite side. Being on the Board is always Board-to-Board and you’re looking at strategy and what’s coming next.
This is more about executing strategy and about the individual people. So, while it did give me insight that another CEO might not have, I still have a lot to learn. I’ve been overwhelmed with how helpful everyone has been already.
PPAI Media: What are your immediate goals or plans for PPAI as you take on this role?
Olds: Our No. 1 thing is really making sure the staff knows how valued they are and how important they are to the Association – down to every single person. Making everyone feel comfortable is the most important thing.
Then making sure that we’re on track with all the things that everyone has been working on and finding out what resources or tools or what I can do to help everyone with what they’ve been working on. I’ve been trying to get to little things here and there already.
We’re in the midst of a building renovation that everyone is super excited about. The website has been redesigned. We have an ERP transition and conversion. And the transition on our new membership plan.
It’s a lot of stuff. Getting a feel where we’re red, yellow or green. What assistance does everyone need? Can I be a resource?
It’s really sticking to the same priorities that you all already had.
PPAI Media: At the moment, what is the timeline to hire a permanent president and CEO?
Olds: The timeline will take however long it takes. I’m committed to being here for however long that requires. When we ran the last process of searching for this role, I was the incoming Chair of the PPAI Board. I think from end-to-end that process was targeted at 3-6 months. I assume it’s going to be a similar timeline.
It depends on the situation. Sometimes you have a candidate that needs to give extended notice. I was retired, so I could drop everything. The next person might have current responsibilities that need to be transitioned.
I’m committed to doing whatever we have to do to make sure the Association doesn’t skip a beat.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Written by: Jonny Auping
Published with Permission from PPAI
