---
title: "3 Lessons: William D. Pawlucy’s Continuing Education"
id: "16906"
type: "post"
slug: "3-lessons-william-d-pawlucys-continuing-education"
published_at: "2013-04-15T10:00:05+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T20:02:55+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/04/15/3-lessons-william-d-pawlucys-continuing-education/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/04/15/3-lessons-william-d-pawlucys-continuing-education.md"
excerpt: "For William D. Pawlucy, MPA, IOM, CAE, the Chairman and CEO of Association Options in St. Paul, Minnesota, leadership means constant learning."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "arts education"
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Career Path"
  - "Leadership"
  - "professional growth"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Executive Leadership"
---

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 » 3 Lessons: William D. Pawlucy’s Continuing Education

### Learning never ends.

In a five-year period, I was elected president of a state society, earned my master’s degree, and earned my CAE. But I knew I wasn’t done. Today, I’m in my second year as an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and I’ve gained a tremendous amount of education and experience in this position. I’ve kept digging and learning to ensure that I provide value while maximizing my portability in my career.

### You’ll have to fight stereotypes.

In my first executive director position at an association, I worked with older and “wiser” professionals who attacked my credibility because of my age. They didn’t know I had significant business experience in Asia and Europe. You cannot fight or argue the fact that you are a younger professional, but you can arm yourself with education.

### Leadership builds on itself.

Leadership has brought me to where I am today as a successful owner of a company dedicated to addressing nonprofit issues. That work has led me to increasingly complex projects with complex demands. I have gone beyond the corner office to a global office. But my goal has remained the same: Lead with humility and follow with urgency.

(Photo by John Koltner)

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

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