As summer shifts to autumn, I am reflecting on my first year as AAMVA’s president & CEO. It has been a privilege to serve the association and work with the dedicated AAMVA team. In particular, I have enjoyed the chance to better understand the quality and strength of the association’s leadership. Our International Board is supporting AAMVA as we move through a series of evolutionary changes that will position our community for continued success. It seems appropriate and very timely for this issue of MOVE to focus on the relationship between leaders and mentors as AAMVA moves forward.

Part of leadership is gauging the needs of an organization both now and in the future. This means considering the leaders among AAMVA’s community of stakeholders and working to expand participation and guidance opportunities for these talented professionals. Consistent with its duty and commitment to broaden its community of experts, the board has launched a revised governance structure that will bring more leaders to the table to contribute to chart- ing the direction of AAMVA programs and services. These changes will support the continuation and expansion of our member platforms and services.

A key part of the expansion is establishing new leadership bodies. The reorganization will take some existing bodies and give them a broader strategic scope. Others will be combined and solidified into a single body. The reorganization also responds to jurisdiction input, addressing new and expanding member needs through the creation of an Identity Management Committee and our newest venture, the MVA Customer Experience and Operations Committee.

The new and different committees will mean changing the ways AAMVA’s community leaders participate, expanding opportunities for them to serve and share their subject matter, policy and executive experience.

To effectively support this new strategic direction, we also are evolving AAMVA’s internal leadership. AAMVA is in the process of selecting team members to join our executive leadership team to align with the updated governance structure. The new leadership roles will provide growth opportunities for key AAMVA staff, increase our capability for staff mentorship and development, and expand support for member initiatives.

As a whole, these changes reflect the positive leadership climate pervading the entire AAMVA community. Moving toward our centennial in the next decade, we will continue to grow and evolve, facing rapidly emerging technology and changing jurisdiction needs. This journey will require leadership and collaboration. I will follow the example of our board, empowering smart people to do what they do best, and collaborate with our jurisdiction community so we can achieve more together.

As we look toward the future, AAMVA’s leadership understands its duty to foster future leaders. The stories of leadership in this issue illustrate the value of developing the leaders who follow us. AAMVA’s leadership has sustained a multiyear succession that has allowed the community to stay focused on long-term strategies. Board members have dedicated themselves to continuity and peer-to-peer coaching. The result is an association built for continuity that stays focused on strategic priorities and member values. I, myself, have benefited from numerous mentors through the years. In turn, I strive to pass those lessons to the future generation of leaders.

As our board has repeatedly demonstrated, the best leaders have a heart for service and a dedication to those following in their footsteps. A leader’s most important job is helping others succeed. Ultimately, only when you help someone else recognize and reach their potential are you truly leading.