Smithbucklin Names Stephanie Yanecek and Jeremy Van Ek Co-Presidents of Association Management

CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithbucklin has named Stephanie Yanecek and Jeremy Van Ek co-presidents of Association Management. Together, they will help associations translate their aspirations into outcomes, drawing on Smithbucklin's full range of capabilities to support growth and stronger performance. They will share accountability for association performance and client satisfaction.

Van Ek will lead Smithbucklin's association management centers of excellence, overseeing the expertise, tools, technology and processes needed to deliver consistent, high-quality performance as associations' needs evolve. Yanecek will lead Smithbucklin's core association client teams, working with executive directors and boards to understand their goals, set priorities and bring together the right expertise, resources and insight to deliver results.

"Our association management clients need a partner that understands their ambitions and can bring the right people, expertise and resources together to deliver," said Matt Sanderson, Smithbucklin president and CEO. "Jeremy's strengths in operations, technology and organizational change complement Stephanie's deep association expertise and longstanding client relationships. Together, they will help us anticipate associations' emerging needs and act with agility while preserving the quality and care that define our work."

Yanecek brings deep association experience and expertise in product development, branding, marketing strategy and communications. Most recently, she led Smithbucklin's marketing, content, communications, creative and editorial teams, helping associations strengthen their positioning, deepen member engagement and expand revenue opportunities. She holds a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Loyola University Chicago.

Van Ek brings more than 25 years of experience in strategy, finance and operations across the association, marketing and professional services industries. Most recently, he served as chief operations officer, association management, for Smithbucklin. Previously, he served as chief operating officer at the American Marketing Association and held senior leadership roles at Edelman, Trisect, Arc Worldwide and Frankel. He holds a master's degree from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor's degree from Hope College.

About Smithbucklin

Smithbucklin is a professional services company that helps associations modernize, strengthen and advance to deliver better results for their members and missions. For more than 75 years, Smithbucklin has provided association management and capabilities in meetings and events, sponsorship and exhibit sales, education, marketing and technology. With nearly 650 employees in Chicago and Washington, D.C., Smithbucklin companies include 360 Live Media, The France Foundation, SDI Meetings and Incentives and McKinley Advisors. Learn more about Smithbucklin at www.smithbucklin.com.

SOURCE Smithbucklin