Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives  

1061 American Ln Suite 310, Schaumburg, IL 60173  

CONTACT: Louise Ristau 847.375.4736   |  [email protected]  

(Philadelphia, PA – May 5, 2025) — The Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) is excited to announce that Nhi Aronheim will deliver the closing keynote address at ACCESSE25, occurring June 23-25 at the W Philadelphia Hotel.  

Aronheim is a speaker, mediator, and author of Soles of a Survivor. A former refugee from war-torn Vietnam, she was adopted by a Christian family in the American South. Her powerful journey has been featured in Kentucky Women: Two Centuries of Indomitable Spirit and Vision, on Colorado Public Radio (CPR), and in Harvey Brownstone Interviews. In 2004, she converted to Judaism after meeting and marrying her husband. 

At ACCESSE25, Aronheim will speak on the theme of resilience, weaving together warm, personal stories from her life—as a refugee, STEM professional, and mediator. Her keynote will explore how adversity can be transformed into strength and how individuals can cultivate lasting resilience in both their personal and professional lives. 

ACCESSE is a premier conference designed for CEOs, executive directors, and staff at all levels within STEM-focused associations, research societies, and technical communities. The event offers leadership development, peer-to-peer networking, and practical insights into the management of science, technology, engineering, and math societies. 

For more information, visit www.cesse.org/accesse.  

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About Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives  

The Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), incorporated in 1977, is a professional society of chief executive officers and mid- to senior-level staff members of STEM societies dedicated to leadership excellence. CESSE offers its members a forum for exchanging information about their experiences and a venue for addressing the problems, challenges, and opportunities they face in operating their societies. CESSE provides the go-to source of education, networking, and the sharing of best practices for the staff of STEM societies through the CEO Meeting and ACCESSE annual events. 

For more information, please contact:  

Louise Ristau, CAE  

Executive Director, CESSE  

[email protected]  

847.375.4736