C. David Gammel, FASAE, CAE

Chief Practice Officer

dgammel@mckinley-advisors.com 240.535.4545

As a long-time executive and consultant in the association industry, David has a deep appreciation for the positive impact associations can have in society. As a chief practice officer at McKinley, he applies his experience and passion for progress to ensure our clients elevate that impact and make the transformations necessary to best serve their field or industry.

Before joining the McKinley team, David spent nine years as the executive director of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). During his tenure, he helped set membership and meeting records, which included a 40% growth in meeting attendance. Under David’s leadership the Society became a global leading voice and continues to play a significant role in U.S. and international policy issues related to entomology. Prior to ESA, he worked for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Employee Relocation Council, and even ran his own successful consulting business.

As a recognized thought leader in the association industry, David has served as a board member for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and as an officer for the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives. He also served as a founding member of the Executive Committee of the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM.

As a consultant, his clients have ranged from the world’s leading nonprofit organizations to a start-up later purchased by Google to mature technology companies. He prides himself on his diverse background and credits his interest in associations to the gratification he gains from seeing members receive the unparalleled support they need to accelerate their advancement and do their best work.

David is a frequent industry speaker and has presented to Fortune 500, small business, and nonprofit executives. He is also the author of the books “Maximum Engagement: Moving Members, Donors, and Customers to Ever-increasing Levels of Participation” and “Online and On Mission: Practical Web Strategy for Breakthrough Results.” He has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Wired Magazine on topics including social media, strategy, and the impact of the internet on business.

When he isn’t in the office or presenting to audiences across the world, David can be found spending time with his family, doing CrossFit or engaging in one of his many hobbies from woodworking to painting and photography. David earned a Master of Arts in International Communication from American University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Miami University of Ohio. In 2002, he earned the Certified Association Executive designation from the ASAE, and in 2018 he was named an ASAE Fellow.