Name: Wendi Howard
Position: Executive Director of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI)
Month you started: March 2023
What brought you to Affinity?
Joining Affinity has been more three years in the making. I came across Affinity Strategies (AS) on LinkedIn three years ago, following their journey and liking their social media posts. I appreciated their mission, was impressed it was woman-owned and liked their positive energy. I am a true believer of networking and connecting, so I reached out to Elizabeth Schumacher introducing myself. I told Liz, as well as Sarah White, that when an opportunity at AS opened up that would be a good fit for me I would be interested. After my very first conversation with Liz in 2021 I felt down to my core that I would at some point be part of the AS team and here we are!
How did you get your start in medical association management?
As a mother of four and foster care parent for medically fragile children, I learned to navigate the world of medical specialists and advocate for my foster children’s wellness/needs quickly. If you combine my passion for advocating along with my decades of experience in business management and marketing, working with medical associations is a natural fit. I have experience working with stakeholders, board members and associations. Be it a monthly board meeting or large annual convention, I can lead the charge. I use my positive energy to get everyone “on the bus” and moving forward for a successful outcome.
What are you most excited about in the year ahead with Affinity Strategies?
Supporting and learning from this passionate and innovative team filled with dynamic individuals. These people are DOERS who make things happen and I have the utmost respect for that. I am also looking forward to collaborating with USBJI to assist them in reaching and surpassing their goals.
What inspires you to deliver your best?
Pride in a job well done. Even if no one else knows, I know that I did my best.
What three words would friends use to describe you?
Loyal, positive and altruistic.
What are you listening to right now?
My 13-year-old is obsessed with and excited to see Taylor Swift live in June, so lately it has been a lot of Taylor. My presets on Sirius radio include everything from country to rock. I like it all.
What is something everyone should know about you?
Those close to me jokingly call me “Martha” (Stewart) and “Julie” (as in McCoy from the Love Boat) as I am a party planner happily taking charge of any size gathering. I can throw together a meal for 20 people in the blink of an eye and love to entertain. Serving others is definitely my love language!
What quote do you live by?
The golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
