Press Room

San Diego, Calif., July 29, 2025 - The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is proud to announce the promotion of Amanda Cass, SHPR, to the role of President & Chief Operating Officer. This leadership transition marks a significant milestone as ACE celebrates its 40th anniversary, underscoring the organization’s commitment to shaping the next several decades of influence and impact in the health and fitness industry. 

“Amanda is a proven and trusted leader whose operational expertise and strategic foresight are exactly what ACE needs as we enter our fifth decade,” said Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM, CEO of ACE. “Her promotion not only reflects her outstanding contributions over more than 20 years with the organization, but it also signals ACE’s readiness to lead with strength, purpose, and innovation well into the future.” 

As Chief Operating Officer, Cass has led ACE’s finance, operations, and human resources functions with clarity and compassion. Under her leadership, ACE has built and sustained a high-performing and award-winning workplace culture, while maintaining operational excellence and nonprofit compliance. She also oversees key human resource functions, including staffing, management development, employee relations, legal compliance, and benefits administration. 

Over the past year, Cass has played a pivotal role in advancing ACE’s long-term strategic vision, including its shift toward delivering more evidence-based, approachable, and engaging educational experiences. Her leadership has helped position ACE as a premier global provider of professional development and certification for health and fitness professionals committed to improving lives through movement and behavior change. 

Cass holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Arizona State University and maintains a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. Her appointment is a key component of ACE’s succession planning and long-term strategy for growth, relevance, and positive social impact. 

As ACE honors 40 years of empowering health and fitness professionals, the organization remains focused on its enduring mission—to get people moving—while investing in the leadership and innovation that will drive its work for decades to come.  

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About the American Council on Exercise (ACE) 

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world. 

With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities.  

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends. Learn more at acefitness.org.