Nikki Haton Shanks, MBA, CAE is a Strategist for Association Laboratory. She is responsible for leading client engagements and conducting qualitative and quantitative research specific to client goals. Nikki been involved with associations for over 10 years and is a recognized leader in association management having received Association Forum’s Forty Under 40 Award. She has been active in membership and volunteer engagement for the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, and American Academy of Periodontology. She is a member of the ASAE Healthcare Community Advisory Committee and volunteers with FSAE. She speaks and produces content on association topics related to content strategy, leadership, membership, and events.

Ms. Haton received her MBA from Benedictine University and her BA in International Studies (Spanish & Latin American Studies) from Loyola University of Chicago. She obtained her CAE in 2016

Leah Mercado’s career spans over 20 years, 6 continents and innumerous cultures. The bulk of her career has been linked to events and experiences ranging from 20-person meetings to 7000+ expositions and conferences (in-person and virtual) in the government, corporate and non-profit sectors. In her career, she has managed events for various heads of state around the world - with or without protocol direction. Her learning/education program experience includes partnerships with some of the most trusted learning institutions in the world and the most innovative speakers and artists. She has learned to create influence and forward movement for all audiences - including government clients, entrepreneurs, partners, vendors, and event attendees. Not to mention, all while considering cultural nuance in those negotiations no matter how simple or complex.

In her current position as Vice President of Connections at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Leah creates and builds various points of interaction for 15,000 members to connect and be inspired through learning events, communities and valuable partnerships around the world. She does this with her extensive experience with program and project management, her commitment to thinking bigger and her outgoing personality.