Michael E. Gilbert, MBA, CTBS, is the Manager of Donor Services at Artivion, where he has more than two decades of experience in tissue donation and partner collaboration. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Kennesaw State University, his MBA from Shorter University, and has held the Certified Tissue Banking Specialist designation since 2006.

Michael began his career with Artivion (formerly CryoLife) in 2004 after transitioning from the Fire/EMS field. He started in the Donation Support Center as a Donor Services Coordinator, working closely with recovery partners to evaluate and screen donors.

As a Technical Trainer, Michael led hands-on workshops across the country, helping recovery partners refine cardiovascular tissue recovery techniques. He later served as an Account Manager, where he managed key partner relationships and supported collaboration between organizations.

In his current role, Michael leads Donor Services initiatives, leveraging his deep operational knowledge and field experience to support partners and advance best practices across the industry.

Julie A. B. Bly, M.P.S., is a seasoned association professional with more than two decades of experience turning membership programs into engaged communities. As Director of Membership for the Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics (AATB), a role she has held since 2018, she focuses on membership growth, retention, and engagement, leading initiatives that help strengthen connections and deliver value to members.

Her career reflects a deep commitment to the power of professional communities. Before joining AATB, Julie held roles with the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), where she supported membership and exhibitor programs. Known for her ability to translate goals into meaningful member experiences, she has consistently delivered measurable gains in engagement, retention, and revenue.

Julie holds a Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and an Associate’s degree in Legal Studies from Central Penn Business College. Outside the office, Julie enjoys spending time in the kitchen trying out new recipes, working in her garden, and getting outdoors for camping trips, especially when it means unplugging, touching trees, and relaxing with family and friends.