---
title: "Executive Summary: Cara Thunder"
id: "16185"
type: "post"
slug: "executive-summary-cara-thunder"
published_at: "2013-03-01T10:30:20+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T19:46:40+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/01/executive-summary-cara-thunder/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/01/executive-summary-cara-thunder.md"
excerpt: "Cara Thunder, the program director of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society of Albuquerque, New Mexico, tells us her goals and daily routine."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Organizational Strategy"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "event planning"
  - "Leadership"
  - "Organizational Structure"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "C-Level"
  - "Executive Team"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Executive Leadership"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Executive Summary: Cara Thunder

#### On my desk right now

Vendor options for a scholarship management software purchase; 2013 program budget work papers; content options for an event including bridging Native American values in Western science, technology, engineering, and math.

#### If I weren’t doing this, I’d …

… be a pirate.

#### What I do when I’m not at work

Travel to see family and friends in New York City and the Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin.

#### My 3 goals for 2013

1. Become a more active listener.
2. Make better choices with self-confidence.
3. Make more time to exercise.

#### Who I’m following on Twitter

Twitter is annoying, but necessary, I guess.

#### The best advice I ever got

Culture eats strategy for breakfast.

(Photograph by Chris Corrie)

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

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

Tags: [#event planning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/event-planning/)
 [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/)
 [#Organizational Structure](https://associationsnow.com/tag/organizational-structure/)

**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

- [ArticleA Last Look at Leadership in 2025December 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/26/a-last-look-at-leadership-in-2025/)
- [VideoChallenge Legacy Mindsets at MMC+TechApril 17, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/04/17/challenge-legacy-mindsets-at-mmctech/)
- [ArticleThe Virtue of Doing LessNovember 7, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/11/07/the-virtue-of-doing-less/)
- [Video2026 Summit Awards DinnerOctober 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/02/2026-summit-awards-dinner/)

## 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%2F2013%2F03%2F01%2Fexecutive-summary-cara-thunder%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!