Associations Thrive

Can an association create deeper member loyalty by focusing not just on solving problems, but on creating experiences that people genuinely care about? In an era where efficiency and technology dominate, perhaps the real opportunity for associations is to bring more humanity, intention, and artistry into every member interaction. In part one of this two-part special on Associations Thrive, host Jo...

How do you help an industry innovate at breakneck speed while ensuring consumer protection, trust, and regulatory compliance? And what role should an association play in bringing competitors, regulators, and innovators together to shape the future of an emerging industry? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council (AFC)...

How does an association grow from 6,000 to 9,000 members without a membership sales team? What can associations learn from an organization whose members actively recruit the next generation on its behalf? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Jeff Morgan, President & CEO of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA). Jeff discusses: How CMAA represents pr...

What if your association's most effective membership recruiters aren't staff at all, but your members themselves? In an era where association professionals have countless options for education, networking, and professional development, how can associations create such a strong sense of belonging that members actively recruit, welcome, and mentor new participants? In this episode of Associations Th...

When your industry is everywhere but almost invisible, how do you tell your story? And how can associations help members navigate tariffs, supply chain pressures, and changing market dynamics? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Emily Bardash, Executive Director of the American Wire Producers Association (AWPA). Emily discusses: How AWPA represents companies that...

What happens when young people never see anyone who looks like them in the careers they dream about pursuing? And how can associations, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations help members build stronger, earlier, and more inclusive talent pipelines in response? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Celeste Warren, Founder of Destination STEM, Inc . Celeste dis...

What if one of the most important contributors to energy efficiency, worker safety, and emissions reduction is also one of the most overlooked? And in an industry facing consolidation and private equity pressure, how can an association help members see the value of community, standards, and education? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Michele Jones, EVP/CEO of t...

What happens when a fintech leader decides that serving the association community means doing far more than processing payments? And in an environment where associations are under pressure to deliver more value with limited resources, how can they create learning and connections that truly help members thrive? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Wade Tetsuka, Pres...

What if one of the most effective ways to strengthen nonprofit leadership is to rethink how board members are recruited, trained, and supported? And in a time when AI is reshaping work and human skills matter more than ever, how can associations and nonprofits help members build the judgment, empathy, and strategic thinking that only real service can develop? In this episode of Associations Thrive...

What does it look like when an organization does more than represent workers and actually builds a community, a career pathway, and a better life? And how can associations help members thrive when workforce shortages, family pressures, and mental health challenges are all converging at once? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Michael Coleman, General President of...

Did you know that a loss of smell or taste can be an early indicator of Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s and other dementias? And in an environment where smell and taste disorders are underdiagnosed, underfunded, and often dismissed, how can an association step in to educate patients, influence research, and push for better care? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Pamela...

What happens when corporate citizenship is no longer a “nice to have,” but a business imperative under scrutiny? And how can associations help members prove value when the environment turns uncertain? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Andrea Wood, President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP). Andrea discusses: How ACCP serve...

How do you rebuild an association that is struggling financially, operationally, and reputationally, and turn it into an organization that members are excited to invest in? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Eric Ellman, President of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA). Eric discusses: How NCRA represents mortgage reporting companies and tenant scr...

How do you rebuild an association when you inherit the top job, lose key staff almost immediately, and have to figure everything out in real time? And in a relationship-driven industry like commercial construction, how can an association help members strengthen connections, prove value, and grow even when the staff team is tiny? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews...

What happens when 50 million people need endocrine care… but there are only about 4,000 practicing endocrinologists to see the complex cases? In an environment where misinformation is everywhere and specialist capacity is limited, how can an association help clinicians and care teams deliver better outcomes at scale without diluting quality? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pine...

What does it take for a 100-year-old, campus-based organization to stay relevant in a world of virtual chapters, AI search tools, and shrinking higher education enrollments? And in an era of time poverty, information overload, and eroding trust, how can associations help young leaders not only serve—but truly thrive? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Bob London,...

What are the “rugs” that your association keeps tripping over but no one talks about? What if there was a common, accessible language to help your staff and board name and move those obstacles? How can an association help members lead with more heart in a fast-moving, AI-driven world? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Sherry Budziak, Founder and CEO, and Kevin O...

What happens when you gather four leaders representing distinct, identity-based association communities? You get a bold conversation about visibility, representation, and creating spaces where people feel they truly belong. In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda sat down with four Association Community Group leaders: Rebecca Achurch , Chair of Association Women Technology Champ...

How do you keep members engaged when the industry is undergoing constant mergers and acquisitions? How can an association stay flexible, strategic, and still build a sense of community? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Leakhena Swett, President of the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA). Leakhena discusses: What liquid terminals are and how critic...

In this special episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda is joined by colleagues from Matrix Group International, Inc.: Dave Hoernig, Vice President of Software Engineering, Jessica Parsley, Director of Project Management, and Alex Pineda, Creative Director. They look back on the trends they’re seeing in the association space. They discuss: How AI dominated 2025, with associations invest...

How do you tackle deforestation and climate change while strengthening local economies? What’s the role of trees in securing food, water, and livelihoods? And what if environmental nonprofits acted more like sales organizations, with scalable, partner-driven models? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Hank Dearden, Executive Director of ForestPlanet. Hank discusse...

How can hospitals in rural and underserved communities innovate, stay open, and thrive amid financial pressures and changing healthcare demands? And how can associations serve as the glue that binds competitors together for a common purpose? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Richard Roberson, President and CEO of the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA). Richa...

What if we treated every cancer diagnosis not just as a medical challenge but as a journey of hope, strength, and transformation? And what role can an organization play in fostering community and empowerment through that journey? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Alissa McKinney, Executive Director of Above + Beyond Cancer. Alissa discusses: Iowa’s alarming canc...

How can your association foster inclusive, empowering spaces that go beyond professional development to create real human connections? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda sat down with three Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC) leaders: Rebecca Achurch , CEO of Achurch Consulting and Secretary-Treasurer, Founder and Incoming Chair of AWTC Gretchen Steenstra , Direct...

What does a small association need to go independent? And what does it take to transform an association into an entrepreneurial, nimble, and innovative organization? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Addy Kujawa, CEO of the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE). Addy discusses: How AAOE supports orthopedic and musculoskeletal practice executives, pr...