Meet TSAE’s New Board Members

Mark Allen, CAE

Executive Director
TXCPA Houston

Mark Allen, CAE is living proof that old dogs can learn new tricks – and he’s thrilled to join the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) Board. Mark’s career has quite literally spanned from death to taxes. He began his professional journey leading operations, financial management, marketing, and community outreach for membership organizations representing funeral homeowners and suppliers. From there, he transitioned to serving CPAs and accounting professionals at the Houston Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs. As a longtime Executive Director and seasoned association wrangler, Mark has spent his career implementing innovative strategies to help organizations run more efficiently, engage more effectively, and grow stronger.

Based in Houston, Mark shares his home with his husband, Kevin, and their beloved dog, Gary. When he’s not focused on operational excellence in the association world, he enjoys exploring Houston’s dynamic food scene, tackling DIY projects (with varying degrees of success), and ensuring Gary receives the royal treatment he so richly deserves.

After ignoring his high school guidance counselor’s advice to pursue a career as a locomotive caboose brake operator (true story), Mark found his calling in association management – a field that has given him both invaluable learning experiences and lifelong friendships. Now, he’s eager to apply his expertise and ever-evolving knowledge to help TSAE achieve its strategic goals.

Jancy Darling

President
Darling Promo
Jancy Darling was raised in Austin and graduated from Westlake High School in 1989. She went on to get her Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M and her master’s degree from the University of Texas. Jancy was a member of the Texas A&M Golf Team, which inspired her early career in the golf business, first as a Club General Manager, then as a National Director of Golf Tournament Sales, and ultimately as the owner of Golf Tournament Shop, a supplier of golf tournament promotional items. Jancy’s 20+ year relationship with TSAE began as a volunteer for the TSAE annual golf event.

Jancy is currently the CEO of Darling Promo, a promotional products provider for a wide range of industries, including many associations. Since, 2014, Darling Promo has been privileged to serve as TSAE’s Endorsed Provider for promotional products. Jancy built her small business into a multi-million-dollar company with thirteen employees by always keeping customer service and competitive pricing as her top priorities. Jancy believes relationships and trust are the cornerstones of any successful business. Jancy is excited to serve on the TSAE Board and hopes her entrepreneurial perspective will help TSAE continue to thrive.

Jancy is married to Michael Hammond, who keeps her life interesting by introducing her to his many passions and hobbies including sailing, surfing, skiing, rafting, and white water paddleboarding.

Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM

Executive Director
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

With over 28 years of experience in nonprofit management and customer service, Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM, specializes in strategic alliance, business development, membership, meeting planning, governance and administration, and certification programs. She recently assumed the role of Executive Director for DKG Society International, following her tenure as the President of the Effingham County Chamber in Effingham, Illinois.

Lucinda completed her Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and her Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership & Management at Concordia University Texas. She achieved her Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives and completed her Institute for Organization Management program through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Lucinda is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the Texas Society of Association Executives. She recently served on the ASAE CAE Job Analysis Task Force where she assisted in maintaining the CAE Program’s standards by identifying the current competencies essential for association executives. She has been a member of TSAE for more than 20 years, serving TSAE as a mentor, CAE instructor, speaker, and committee member.

Celebrating 27 years of marriage, Lucinda and her husband, Will, find joy in traveling and cherishing moments with family and friends. While they miss their children, Jared and Mercedes, they are relishing their time as empty nesters.

Michelle Jackson, CAE

Executive Director
Texas PTA

Michelle Jackson, CAE is dedicated to empowering others and creating practical solutions that drive organizational success. She has served as Executive Director of Texas PTA since August 2022, leading a 12-person team that supports approximately 17,000 volunteers at 2,200 campus and district PTAs, with nearly 500,000 members annually. Previously, as Director of Member Services, Michelle transformed processes to enhance efficiency, grow membership, and improve volunteer support.

Michelle’s career spans public education, nonprofit leadership, and strategic partnerships. Before joining Texas PTA, she served as community partnerships director for Round Rock ISD. In addition to her professional work, Michelle has been a longtime volunteer leader, serving in multiple PTA roles as well as on her community’s Little League board. A proud Longhorn, she earned a Bachelor of Journalism in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin. In December, she officially added CAE after her name, earning the Certified Association Executive credential – though she’s still getting used to signing emails that way.

Rachel Naylor

Executive Director
Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance

With over 18 years of experience in education leadership, Rachel Naylor is a passionate and innovative administrator who has dedicated her career to improving school operations, student wellness, and professional development. After more than 20 years as an active member of Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (TAHPERD), she proudly stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2021. Prior to this, she served as Director of Physical Education & Health for Northeast ISD, leading district-wide initiatives, managing large-scale budgets, and supporting hundreds of staff across PK-12 campuses.

A strategic thinker and relationship builder, she has held numerous leadership positions within TAHPERD and on statewide wellness committees, always focused on collaboration, advocacy, and forward momentum. Outside of work, she enjoys sports, traveling, and lake time with her husband, Chad, and their two energetic kids, Ryan and Morgan –who all keep her on her toes.

Kristen Philips, MBA, CAE, IOM

Executive Director
Stringfellow Management Group

Kristen Philips, MBA, CAE, IOM has over 20 years of award-winning professional association management experience and is highly regarded for her results-driven and collaborative approach. She is an Account Executive at Stringfellow Management Group (SMG), an accredited and esteemed Association Management Company.

Kristen is the Executive Director for both the American Society of Consulting Arborists and the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses, and brings a wealth of experience leading associations through strategic oversight, thoughtful guidance, and change management. She gives back to her professional community whenever possible and has served on the TSAE Women’s Summit Advisory Task Force, as a Better Together Mentor, and previously served on ASAE’s AMC Section Council and as an ASAE Conference Education Reviewer. Kristen holds an MBA in management from Frostburg State University, and a BS in business administration from the University of Baltimore, graduating cum laude and summa cum laude respectively. She is a graduate of the Institute of Organization Management and earned her Certified Association Executive credential in 2015. Kristen loves to read, cook, bake, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with her husband and one-eyed rescue chihuahua, Olive!

Lindsay Thompson

President/CEO
Texas Healthcare Trustees

Lindsay Thompson currently serves as President/CEO of Texas Healthcare Trustees and Vice President of Education and Governance Programs for the Texas Hospital Association. Lindsay is a leader in health care education and governance programming, with over a decade of experience in program and curriculum development. In her current position, she leads Texas Healthcare Trustees, a statewide association whose members are Texas hospitals and health systems and the board members who govern those organizations, providing essential governance resources and education. Additionally, she oversees statewide conferences and educational initiatives, including the THA Annual Conference, the Texas Healthcare Trustees’ Healthcare Governance Conference, and the THA Leadership Fellows Program, developing curriculum, facilitating capstone projects, and engaging a network of over 200 alumni.

Lindsay is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds a Project Management Certification. Outside of the office, she is passionate about growing youth sports, serving as an experienced volleyball coach and former recruiting director, supporting over 100 athletes in advancing to collegiate sports. She has served on several internal and external committees and has contributed to panels and presentations on leadership, governance best practices, event strategy, and coaching development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Southwestern University and remains active in professional organizations like TSAE and USA Volleyball.