As we open nominations for the ASHT 2026 Board of Directors, I find myself reflecting on what board service has meant to me.
When I first stepped into leadership, I understood it as service. What I did not yet fully appreciate was how profoundly that service would shape every dimension of my professional life and many dimensions of my personal life as well.
Board service is not simply governance work. It is stewardship. It is advocacy. It is collective vision-building. During my presidential address, I shared this thought: “Engagement is not attendance. It is ownership. It is the moment you decide that the future of our profession belongs to you, too.” Serving on the Board is one of the most meaningful ways to embody that ownership. The strategic conversations, the difficult decisions, the careful consideration of resources and priorities all deepened my understanding of how our society supports members and advances hand therapy nationally and internationally. That perspective has made me a stronger clinician, a more thoughtful leader in my workplace, and a more strategic thinker overall.
I often say that board service gave me colleagues for a season and friends for a lifetime. The relationships formed through shared leadership are different. When you navigate complex challenges together, when you debate respectfully, when you celebrate milestones and work through obstacles side by side, you build trust. Those relationships have enhanced my professional collaborations, expanded my network in meaningful ways, and enriched my personal life through genuine friendships. The Board table is where professional respect often evolves into lasting connection.
When I introduced my presidential theme of sustainability, I framed it this way: “Sustainability is not just about financial strength. It is about cultivating leaders, nurturing engagement, and building systems that will outlast any one of us.” Leadership development is sustainability in action. Board service stretched me in communication, in strategic planning, in governance literacy, and in leading with both conviction and humility. It challenged me to think long-term while acting decisively in the present. That growth has influenced how I lead in every setting, whether it be the clinic, classroom, committee, or community. And perhaps most importantly, it strengthened my confidence in contributing beyond my immediate sphere of influence.
In my presidential address on engagement, I reminded us: “The strength of ASHT is not in its structure; it is in its members who choose to participate.” Now, as Immediate Past President, I see even more clearly how true that is. Leadership transitions are a vital part of organizational health. New voices ensure relevance. Diverse perspectives ensure resilience. Active members ensure momentum. Board service is not about status. It is about contribution.
If you have ever felt the spark of possibility, that thought that you could help shape the direction of our society, I encourage you to explore that calling. Reflect on what service might give you: a broader lens on our profession; a network of engaged forward-thinking peers; skills that elevate your leadership capacity; relationships that enrich both professional and personal life. Most of all, reflect on what you might give in return.
Serving on the ASHT Board has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. It has amplified my engagement, deepened my commitment to sustainability, and expanded my circle of trusted colleagues and friends. As nominations open, I hope many of you will consider stepping forward or encouraging a colleague whose leadership you admire. Our future is sustained by those willing to engage. And I cannot wait to see who answers that call next.
Kimberly Masker, OTD, OTR/L CHT
Immediate Past President / 2026 Nominations Committee Chair