Calabrese Management provides professional expertise, goal-oriented leadership, organizational structure and quality management services to non-profit trade associations.
What Our Partners Are Saying
At Calabrese Management, we believe the strongest measure of our success is the trust and confidence of those we serve. Our clients are more than partners—they’re leaders, innovators, and changemakers in their fields. On this page, you’ll hear directly from respected professionals who have worked closely with our team over the years. From navigating complex board governance to elevating national organizations with vision and structure, these testimonials highlight the expertise, care, and dedication we bring to every relationship. Discover how Calabrese Management has helped turn challenges into opportunities—and organizations into thriving communities.
Premium LEADERSHIP
“Over 30 years ago, I became involved in sales and management within the playground industry. For 20 of those years, I volunteered and eventually became a board leader (board member, treasurer, president-elect, and president) within the two main organizations representing playground manufacturers and installers. Both organizations are led by Calabrese Management and each organization was in need of core competencies such as: leadership, professionalism, vision, best business practices, marketing, education, financial oversight, legal compliance and certification protocols. Calabrese Management masterfully checked all of those boxes with exemplary work effort and staff. Today, both organizations represent the top players and leaders in this industry and both serve the public at very high levels for children’s safety and play.”
Richard Hawley
Retired VP Sales, Playcore
“My earliest interactions with Calabrese Management began over 15 years ago as a prior board member of a national certifying body for court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries serving incapacitated persons. Calabrese Management has continuously served that organization extraordinarily well during that same time. Through their tested business model, Calabrese Management has consistently provided steady and structured support to the volunteer board and committees in all aspects of their operation. Denise Calabrese has been readily available, and the Board has welcomed and benefited from her experienced and professional direction as well as from her highly competent staff. Today, the organization is solidly established and well-positioned for current and future endeavors, and Calabrese Management has been an integral part of that success.”
John Kordish, LSW, NCG Emeritus
Past President, Board of Trustees
DEVOTED STAFF
“Calabrese Management is a dream team. No matter what our organization may need, they have already thought about it and are ready to execute. Everyone on the staff is personable, available, and skilled at what they do. They make it seem like their only job is to take care of whatever you might need. As a former board member, I don’t know how they do everything for us so seamlessly. We are treated as if our organization is their only responsibility—even with many other organizations under their care.”
Sally Balch Hurme, JD
Retired AARP Attorney
UNMATCHED SERVICE
“For over 15 years, I have had the pleasure of working alongside the team at Calabrese Management through various volunteer leadership roles. Denise and her team of amazingly talented professionals offer a warm, sensible and caring approach working with board members and leadership, creating structure and functionality for a variety of professional organizations. Their work is unrivaled. Fiduciary oversight, professional development and literally—a lot of fun is to be expected when working with Calabrese Management. Highly recommend!”
Lisa Port, CPLD, FAPLD
Certified Professional Landscape Designer, Architect
Banyon Tree Design Studio LLC
“I have had the privilege to work with Calabrese Management and Denise Calabrese for over 10 years. I know her to be an intelligent, caring person who runs an excellent company. I have been on many state and national Board of Directors/Trustees and she and her staff have provided me with the very best in customer service. I have been able to speak with them anytime, including nights and weekends. They have been invaluable to my organizations. I would give them my highest recommendation for association management!”
Sam “Butch” DeFillippo, MA
NPSI Playground Safety Inspector
NPCAI RISC Certified
Managing Partner
“Working with Calabrese Management, with their 25+ years of experience and excellent staff, has been an absolute pleasure. Their expert association management, focus on quality, and approach to membership growth and retention has enabled us to achieve our goals and association’s success. I highly recommend Calabrese Management to any association pursuing exceptional management services!”
David Splane
Regional Manager, Toys and Children’s Products
TÜV SÜD America
“I have been general counsel of an international trade association since its inception and incorporation. Our organization represents play manufacturers and is run by volunteer leadership and committees. Before Calabrese Management took over management services, those services were also run by volunteers. Since hiring Calabrese Management, our organization has grown more than 20-fold and become the premier representative and spokesperson for the play industry, recognized by government and private industry alike for its expertise and commitment to safety. Denise and her dedicated staff become part of your trade association, learning everything about the industry you represent and are ready, able and willing to lead your association to even more productive and meaningful heights. Their involvement and knowledge is so extensive that it’s hard to believe they represent so many other non-profit trade associations, not just yours. In addition, Denise and her staff are just great and fun people to be around. Truly, the best decision our organization ever made was hiring Calabrese Management. You should too, you won’t regret it, ever.”
Milton Chappell, Esq.
General Counsel