Meet Our Expert: Stephen Martin

STEPHAN MARTIN
Vice President, Education
Areas of Expertise:
- Instructional design
- Learning technologies
- Association leadership and management
I have always been curious about how things work. How do all the parts come together in a machine? What makes systems run?
That curiosity at a young age grew into a passion for creating innovative learning solutions that address complex organizational needs.
During my career, I have worked across various sectors, including government, nonprofit, and commercial organizations. My roles ranged from managing information technology services to leading large-scale training and development programs. Each position allowed me to see firsthand how individual parts come together to transform organizations and empower individuals.
One of my most rewarding experiences was at the American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C., where I spent a decade as the Managing Director of Member Education Programs. In this role, I implemented a comprehensive member learning strategy that significantly strengthened member value and retention. I was proud to launch AIA’s online learning platform, AIAU, which has grown to deliver more than 300 programs annually to enhance the professional development of AIA’s members.
I remember the day we launched AIAU. The excitement in the office was palpable as we watched the first users log in and start their courses. Seeing the positive feedback from our members was incredibly fulfilling. One member even reached out to share how a course on sustainable design had inspired them to implement new practices in their firm—a testament to the impact we were making.
Since I started at CASE in August 2024, I’ve been in awe of the time and expertise CASE volunteers give to the profession. Your contributions are invaluable to the advancement profession. In many membership organizations, sharing only goes so far; the recipe for the “secret sauce” is kept close to the vest. At CASE, our volunteers not only share the recipe, but offer to help get the ingredients! You are the parts that make the system function. I look forward to working with you as we put the CASE Career Journey Framework into action and propel the profession into the future.
Now that I’ve had a few months to take some things apart and see how they work and interact, we’ll start expanding the reach of our education programs to new parts of the world and online. We’re already launching programs to support all levels of the profession—from those just entering the field to senior leaders with decades of experience. We will also be developing a core curriculum of courses to support the Career Journey Framework.
I am excited to be part of CASE and to support the mission of advancing education to transform lives and society. While I don’t come from the world of advancement (though I did work for several semesters as a student caller for my college’s annual fund), I am learning more every day. The curiosity to see how things work has never faded.
Tags
Article appears in:

March - April 2025
DIGITAL-ONLY ISSUE—Why compassion matters more than ever in talent management.
Plus what universities and schools can learn from one another, how one school rebooted annual giving, neurodiversity in advancement, and more.