Investing in Future Leaders Through Scholarship Diversity

Entry Details

In recent years, the Connecticut Chapter has strengthened its support for investing in the chapter's future through scholarships that embrace emerging leaders.

The Connecticut Chapter recognized the need to support emerging leaders across specific segments of our professional community. Two recently added scholarships do not require applicants to be association members; instead, they offer an opportunity to invest in our future by supporting club professionals committed and motivated to succeed through advancement within the club industry.

Implementation

In 2023, we introduced the Mark LeMoult Culinary Scholarship, and this year, the Courtney A. Wetzel Women in Club Management Scholarship.
The Culinary Scholarship, named for the long-tenured Executive Chef of the Greenwich Field Club who died in a car accident in 2022, provides an educational opportunity to a candidate with a genuine passion for the culinary arts who is not in an executive chef role.  This opportunity can be through ACA, other culinary-specific institutions, or CMAA.

The Women in Club Management Scholarship honors Courtney Wetzel, CCM, a cherished CMAACT member and past president who passed away from ovarian cancer in November 2025. Funded jointly by Riverside Yacht Club (Courtney’s Club) and CMAACT, this scholarship celebrates Courtney’s ardent support for emerging talent and her passion for mentoring. It is open to aspiring leaders currently working at clubs who qualify as scholarship candidates.

Both the Culinary Scholarship and the Women in Club Management Scholarship require an essay demonstrating alignment with the scholarship namesake's qualities and an interview with the Scholarship Committee. Club leaders appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge high-achieving team members. This introduction to our association motivates the applicants to engage in education and social activities and to appreciate the importance of peer networking at these events.