Background

Christie Tarantino-Dean has worked in association management for over 20 years. She came to IFT from the Association Forum of Chicagoland, which boasts 46,000 association professionals as their members. This work gave her great exposure to the challenges and successes of the more than 1,000 professional societies and trade associations located in Chicago. Prior to that, Christie served as the executive director of the Academy of General Dentistry, which has 35,000 members and 62 chapters. While working as the associate vice president of member relations at the Professional Convention Management Association, she gained extensive experience in convention management. Christie began her association career as membership services director with the Alabama State Bar Association.

IFT Highlights

Christie joined IFT in April of 2014, bringing her wealth of association experience to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Education

BA in political science from Auburn University at Montgomery 

MPA (Master of Public Administration) from Auburn University at Montgomery 

Certified Association Executive (CAE)

Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (FASAE)