Daniel C. Borschke, FASAE, MA, CAE
Principal & Consultant
Dan is an experienced, compassionate association executive, author, executive recruiter, and former board member who has spent his career serving organizations from both sides of the boardroom table.
He has led four trade associations and an international foundation, with deep experience in governance, strategy, communications, advocacy, and organizational leadership. He also served for five years as an Executive Recruiter and Client Partner with Sterling Martin Associates. He brings a steady, practical approach shaped by decades of work guiding organizations through growth, change, and transition.
In 2011, while between executive roles, Dan began taking on select consulting engagements. His unique skills and perspective quickly proved invaluable, and as his work expanded, he formally launched Association Transitions.
Leadership Philosophy
Dan believes associations exist to serve their members and advance a mission—and that leaders are stewards of both. He leads with empathy, taking time to understand what matters most to members, leadership teams, and the organization’s future. From there, he helps identify the right leadership and build clear, actionable strategies to support their mission’s success.
Candidate Relationships
Dan also places strong value on long-term relationships with candidates. He takes a thoughtful, relational approach—staying connected even when a role isn’t the right fit today, because it may be the right fit tomorrow.
Distinguished Association Credentials
Dan is one of a select group of executive search professionals who hold both the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and the prestigious Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (FASAE) credential. This combination reflects decades of leadership experience within the association community and provides clients with a unique understanding of association governance, strategy, operations, and executive leadership.
In addition to his CAE and FASAE credentials, Dan has earned specialized certificates in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, as well as ethical decision-making in the association profession, further strengthening his ability to advise organizations through leadership transitions and organizational change.
Education
Dan earned a BA in History and an MA in Communications from Northeastern Illinois University.
Collaboration with Tuft & Associates
Dan has partnered with Tuft & Associates for more than two and a half years on numerous executive searches, helping organizations identify exceptional leaders who drive organizational success and mission impact. Through this collaboration, he has contributed to successful placements across the association and nonprofit sectors, supporting organizations during critical periods of growth and transition.
Collaboration with Tuft & Associates
Dan has partnered with Tuft & Associates for more than two and a half years on numerous executive searches, helping organizations identify exceptional leaders who drive organizational success and mission impact. Through this collaboration, he has contributed to successful placements across the association and nonprofit sectors, supporting organizations during critical periods of growth and transition.
AUTHOR
Dan is the author of If You Are Going Through Hell—Don’t Stop, Keep Going: A Guide to Transition and Search and 50 Learnings for a Successful Association Executive: A Guide to a Successful Career (2026).
If You Are Going Through Hell— Don’t Stop, Keep Going A Guide to Transition and Search
50 Learnings for a Successful Association Executive: A Guide to a Successful Career
