Association Hub Podcast

Let’s be real, strategy without stories is just a dusty document no one reads. If you want your members to care, connect, and actually show up, you need to tell the right stories. In this episode, we sit down with Brendon Moo, Head of Strategic Engagement and Communications at National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), to unpack how storytelling can flip your strategy from invisible to im...

In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast , we sit down with Amanda Linton, CEO of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) , to explore her remarkable journey from solo bookkeeper to leading a national professional body. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, Amanda brings a fresh and practical perspective on what it takes to lead a modern association. Amanda shares the mindset shi...

In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast, Olena sits down with  Susan Foster, Member Services Manager at the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) , to unpack what it truly means to connect with members, whether in metropolitan London or remote Australia.   With over 20 years of association experience across healthcare, engineering, and education sectors, Susan shares her f...

You can’t miss the orange shirts at a conference and today,you’ll meet the man behind them, Rob Wenger. In this episode, we chat with the Founder and CEO of Higher Logic, someone who’s helped shape the tech landscape for associations and still makes time to get out, meet people, and listen. Based in the US but a regular in Australia, Rob brings an ear for diverse voices and a sharp eye for where o...

In this episode of the  Association Hub Podcast , Olenachats with sponsorship expert Bruce Rosenthal about the future of corporate partnerships in the association space. Drawing on decades of experience, including his time leading a successful transformational sponsorship program duringeconomic downturns, Bruce shares what it takes to create high-value, strategic partnerships that deliver true mem...

What if the only thing standing between you and realinfluence… is that inner voice telling you you’re not ready?   In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest blockersfacing association leaders today: imposter syndrome. You’re leading change, championing a sector, and doing it all on tight budgets and tight timelines, but still questioning whether you’re the right person for the job? You’re n...

What do gala dinner punch-ups, blackout moments on Hamilton Island, and dangerous ideas have in common? They’re all part of the wild and wonderful world of association conferences. And nobody tells those stories better than Andrew Klein . In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast, Olena sits down with one of Australia’s most seasoned professional speakers and MCs. With over 30 years behind th...

Associations are people-powered, and today we meet a leader proving it. Let us introduce you to Angelina Maallini Pillai, CEO of the Association of Consulting Architects. She didn’t train as an architect, yet she’s built a thriving, values-led community by listening deeply, fostering trust, and putting wellbeing and relevance at the centre of her work. In this episode, we explore what it really me...

In this global edition of the Association Hub Podcast, Olena chats with Marcus Leite from WorkerBee. TV , our very first Canadian guest! Marcus brings an international perspective to challenges that are surprisingly universal. From member experience and content strategy to digital engagement and sustainable revenue models, this conversation explores what it takes to stay relevant and how to delive...

Partnerships aren’t just a revenue stream, they’re a critical part of how we deliver impact across an organisation. But too often, we reduce them to packages, logos, and vague promises of “exposure.” This episode is your chance to rethink that. Mike Barouche challenges the traditional approach and shares a more strategic, human-centred model for partnership success.   You’ll learn: Why onboarding...

In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast, Olena sits down with one of the most respected voices in the Australian association sector, John Peacock AM . With a career spanning decades and a legacy that includes founding Associations Forum and later launching Governology, John’s passion for associations was formally recognised when he was awarded an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for hi...

We welcome back Luke Daly, now one year into his role as CEO of the Australian Swim Schools Association for a candid conversation about what it truly takes to step into the top job. Forget the highlight reel. Luke shares the unfiltered version: navigating change, managing limited resources, facing imposter syndrome, and learning to lead while still finding your feet. It's honest, practical, an...

In today’s episode of the Association Hub Podcast , we’re joined by the unstoppable Annie Gibbins. CEO, strategist, speaker, publisher, mentor, and yes, mum of five. With decades in association leadership and a growing reputation as an AI advocate, Annie brings a unique blend of C-suite wisdom, digital savvy, and grounded advice for association professionals navigating rapid change. Olena and Anni...

What does it really mean to put community first in an association? In this episode, Olena chats with Marty Thomas, CEO of the Dental Assistance Professional Association (DAPA) , about reimagining membership through a community-first lens. With a background in commercial enterprise and a passion for volunteer-led organisations, Marty brings a fresh perspective to association leadership. During this...

Let us introduce you to Scott Millar, a generational consultant dedicated to building meaningful pathways between emerging talent and organisations ready to evolve. In this honest conversation, we explore what Gen Z and Gen Alpha truly value — and how Baby Boomers and others can connect with them through learning, leadership, communication, and co-creation. In this episode, you'll hear about:...

In this episode of The Association Hub Podcast , host Olena Lima is joined by association powerhouses Cris Massis and Anna Yerondais - two seasoned leaders with a combined 50+ years of lived experience in the association space. Together, they unpack what modern strategic planning really looks like in 2025.   From shifting member expectations and digital disruption to redefining member value propos...

Gen Z is reshaping the workplace with new expectations, values, and ways of working—and associations need to adapt or risk disengagement. So, how do we bridge the generational gap, foster collaboration, and harness the strengths of this dynamic group? In this episode, we're joined by Janene Wardrop, an expert in workplace management and intergenerational leadership, to explore how associations...

Ever seen an association make headlines for all the wrong reasons? Or struggled to get media attention when you had something important to share? The media can be a powerful tool when used correctly. In this episode, we’re diving into how associations can take control of their media presence — both protecting and promoting their brand—with PR expert Tony Nicholls from Good Talent Media. From crisi...

Financial sustainability isn’t always the most glamorous topic—but it’s one of the most critical for any association’s success. In this episode, Olena Lima sits down with Tim Boyle, CEO of ARCS Australia , to explore how he rebuilt the association’s business model from the ground up.   Taking over in the shadow of the pandemic, with funding streams drying up and outdated revenue models, Tim faced...

If you've worked in the association industry for a while, the chances that you haven’t heard of Wes Lambert are pretty slim. But if you do need an introduction, let’s just say he’s been cooking up some serious change in Australia’s restaurant and café sector. In just 10 months, Wes and his team at the Australian Restaurant and Café Association (ARCA) have managed to shake up the industry, secu...

Branding isn’t just about a fresh logo—it’s about identity, strategy, and connection. And Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) has embraced this philosophy in its bold new rebrand. In this episode, Olena Lima chats with Samantha Hunter , CEO of OTA, to dive into the why, how, and what’s next of their recent transformation. From crafting a brand that truly reflects OTA’s values and vision, to engag...

In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast , wehear from Leanne Boase, CEO of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP), to unpack their journey to winning Small Association of the Year 2024. Leading a small association comes with unique challenges—limited resources, advocacy hurdles, and keeping members engaged—but ACNP has navigated them masterfully. Leanne shares the strategies,...

In this episode, Cecilia Sepp, an association and non-profit management expert and author of Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful , shares how to transform outdated chapter systems into vibrant, member-focused networks. This conversation transcends geographical boundaries, offering insights that applyglobally to associations striving to modernise and deliver greater value to t...

In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast, we’re joined by Sarah Morgan, the Managing Director of Bespoken and creator of the thought-provoking Association CEO Index Report. Sarah shares her journey from journalist to corporate communicator, explaining how her experience working with an association led her to establish her own agency. During our conversation, we explored the key insights from...

How do you create programs that truly serve members, adapt to change, and drive lasting impact? In this episode, Amelia Hodge, CEO of the Australian Property Institute (API), and Sheila Kushe, GM of Corporate Affairs, share how they’re designing innovative, future-ready solutions that support both members and the broader industry. Whether you work in associations, membership organisations, or any...