Vista Cova Speakers

Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF 

A passion for innovation and a genuine curiosity for each individual he works with led Lowell to found Vista Cova, a team of professionals delivering contemporary content to association leaders. Lowell teaches and advises priceless and proven strategies to improve leadership, governance, and membership.

Featured Topics

Leadership

Strategy

Innovation

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Membership

Governance

Areas of Influence
Leadership
Governance
Strategic Planning
Innovation

Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, CPF is a CEO, Speaker, Facilitator, and Strategist.

He is the CEO of Vista Cova, a company that partners with organizations on strategic visioning and planning, creating stronger stakeholder connections, and reimagining value and engagement.  As an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator, Lowell frequently provides dynamic sessions to organizations - getting volunteers, members, and staff involved through experiential learning approaches.

After starting his career in the informal education realm, over the course of more than a decade, Lowell has worked inside associations on membership and value, volunteer leadership establishment and growth, professional development and learning, global alliance building, communications and marketing, online and in-person communities, operations, finance, HR, and staff oversight. After serving as the Chief Operating Officer for a medical association, Lowell founded Vista Cova – returning to his passion of facilitating for and partnering with volunteer leaders, members, and staff.

Lowell currently serves on the ASAE Research Committee and is a past Chair for the overseeing commission for the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. He chaired ASAE’s Task Force on CEO Pathways, and previously served as Chair for ASAE’s Component Relations Council.  He is the creator of a master-level learning series, Through the CEO Lens, and Association Charrette – a co-creation retreat experience. He is the co-Executive Editor and Contributing Author for ASAE’s Component Relations Handbook, 2nd edition, and contributed chapters to the latest versions of Professional Practices of Association Management as well as Membership Essentials. He is a mentor for ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program and recently served as a facilitator for ASAE’s Centennial Recognition Task Force. His work on global efforts for associations includes experience across five continents, hundreds of volunteer groups, and all 50 states in the U.S.

Lowell also volunteers as a platelet donor and social media solicitor for the American Red Cross and is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Brewers Ball organizing committee. Lowell has a B.A. in Sociology from Columbia University and utilizes the knowledge he gained from his M.A. in Education to volunteer and tutor students with learning disabilities. Lowell resides in Maryland where his twin girls and son keep the house full of laughter.

  • "The session was engaging and interactive. It was one of the best sessions I've ever attended, and I will certainly use the knowledge I gained to enhance our association's networking events."

    Conference Attendee

  • "High-impact, dynamic sessions with content relevant to our organization's needs and challenges."

    Meeting Planner

  • "Lowell is exceptional at embracing an organization's mission, creating relationships within the represented industry, and then empowering people to join and participate in the success of the organization."