SFMA CEO, Paula Sliefert, M.A., on August 18 issued the following letter to SFMA members regarding organizational realignment of SFMA:
Dear SFMA Members,
Throughout the past year, the SFMA Board of Directors and staff have been engaged in an extensive strategic planning process focused on one question:
How do we best position SFMA to serve our members and the sports field management profession for the next decade?
Following the anticipated approval of SFMA’s new Strategic Plan by the Board of Directors in September, we are taking the next step in aligning our organization with that vision.
To support the priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan, SFMA Headquarters will transition to a new organizational structure designed to better serve our members, strengthen operational excellence, and position the Association for sustainable growth.
Our organizational structure will consist of five key leadership roles:
- Chief Executive Officer – Vision, governance, advocacy, industry leadership, and SAFE
- Director of Operations & Finance – Organizational excellence and financial stewardship, revenue development and partnerships
- Director of Growth & Engagement – Membership growth and member engagement
- Senior Manager of Education & Events – Professional development and conference excellence
- Manager/Coordinator of Member Services & Administration – Member support and operational coordination across all departments
Today, these positions are represented by:
- Paula Sliefert – Chief Executive Officer
- Leah Craig – Director of Growth & Engagement
- Jennifer McLendon – Senior Manager of Education & Events
To complete this transition, SFMA will immediately begin recruiting for two new positions:
- Director of Operations & Finance
- Manager/Coordinator of Member Services & Administration
These additions represent an investment in our future and in our members. By strengthening our internal capacity, we will be better positioned to deliver on the priorities identified in our Strategic Plan, including:
- Providing faster, more responsive service to members and chapters.
- Delivering exceptional educational programs and conference experiences.
- Expanding professional development and certification opportunities.
- Growing membership while increasing engagement and volunteer participation.
- Building stronger partnerships and diversified revenue to support member programs.
- Strengthening financial stewardship and operational excellence.
- Increasing advocacy for the sports field management profession.
- Creating an organizational structure that is sustainable for years to come.
Organizational change is never easy, but it is often necessary to ensure an association remains strong, relevant, and prepared for the future. Every successful organization reaches moments where it must evolve to meet the changing needs of its members and industry. This is one of those moments for SFMA.
We also want to recognize and sincerely thank the individuals who have served SFMA throughout the years. Their dedication, commitment, and countless contributions have helped build the strong foundation on which we continue to grow. We are grateful for their service and the lasting impact they have made on our Association.
As with any transition, there will be a period of adjustment while we recruit outstanding professionals to join our team. During this time, we respectfully ask for your patience, understanding, and grace as we work to build an organization that is even better equipped to serve you.
Our commitment to our members remains unchanged. We will continue delivering high-quality education, meaningful member engagement, industry advocacy, certification, chapter support, and exceptional events while strengthening the infrastructure that supports everything we do.
We firmly believe these changes will position SFMA to serve you better—not just next year, but for many years to come. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to building the next chapter of SFMA together.
Thank you for your continued confidence, engagement, and support of your Association.
– Paula Sliefert, M.A. – Chief Executive Officer