---
title: "How I Got Here: Kim Schardin, CAE"
id: "13444"
type: "post"
slug: "how-i-got-here-kim-schardin-cae"
published_at: "2012-09-25T17:00:04+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-17T17:12:55+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2012/09/25/how-i-got-here-kim-schardin-cae/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2012/09/25/how-i-got-here-kim-schardin-cae.md"
excerpt: "Executive Director, American College of Mohs Surgery, American Society for Mohs Histotechnology, and International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Career Path"
  - "Leadership"
  - "professional growth"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
  - "Early Career"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » How I Got Here: Kim Schardin, CAE

> Money earned in boring jobs spends the same as money earned in fun jobs.

As Kim Schardin, MBA, CAE, washed dishes during lunch in the sixth grade, she wasn’t thinking she’d grow up to be an association executive. But as the current executive director of three dermatology associations, Schardin says her previous jobs (dishwashing included) have transformed her into the leader she is today. Two lessons she’s learned along the way: “Work hard to make the board and members shine, and when implementing change, be sure the janitors agree it’s possible.”

**1980–82:** Dish washer in the school cafeteria

**1983–86:** Local summer-stock theater assistant

**1984–86:** Set up indoor tennis courts for the high school recreation department

**1986–88:** Part-time positions at pizza joints and mall stores during college, as well as a stint as a turndown-service maid at a local hotel

**1988–92:** Bank teller and loan officer

**1992–98:** College admissions-office secretary

**1998–2000:** Receptionist at insurance company call center

**2000–02:** Marketing specialist for a senior-living complex

**2003–:** Membership and meeting manager at Executive Director, Inc., an association management company

**2007–:** Executive director for the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative

**2011–:** Executive director for the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Society for Mohs Histotechnology

[ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

Tags: [#Career Path](https://associationsnow.com/tag/career-path/)
 [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/)
 [#professional growth](https://associationsnow.com/tag/professional-growth/)

**Stay Informed**

[Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/)
, *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day.

## You Might Like

- [VideoASAE’s The ExchangeApril 24, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/24/asaes-the-exchange/)
- [VideoChristine Diedrich Shares Her CAE JourneyApril 25, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/25/christine-diedrich-shares-her-cae-journey/)
- [PodcastBridging the Gap: Career Development in AssociationsApril 24, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/24/bridging-the-gap-career-development-in-associations/)
- [VideoTara Barker Shares Her CAE JourneyOctober 26, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/10/26/tara-barker-shares-her-cae-journey/)

## Comments

**Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/)

[Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2012%2F09%2F25%2Fhow-i-got-here-kim-schardin-cae%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!