The Association Insights Podcast

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Chris Burroughs, President & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), for a candid conversation on leadership, advocacy, and how associations respond when an industry crisis hits. Chris reflects on stepping into the CEO role after nearly 15 years leading government affairs—and why that po...

In this New Year’s solocast episode of Association Insights , host Colleen Gallagher—CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing & Communications—takes a grounded, practical look at the evolving media and PR landscape for associations. With newsrooms shrinking, attention getting harder to earn, and AI reshaping how information is discovered and indexed, Colleen breaks down what’s changed, what hasn’t,...

In this final episode of 2025, host Colleen Gallagher , CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, reflects on a year of learning, listening, and leadership across 53 episodes of The Association Insights Podcast this year. From member value and communications to AI, advocacy, culture, and leadership, this solocast pulls together the most consistent themes that emerged across conversations with association CEOs, co...

A Virtual Roundtable Replay In this holiday-week episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we’re re-airing our December LinkedIn Live roundtable, Member Value Reimagined—How Associations Are Evolving to Meet Modern Expectations . As member expectations continue to evolve, associations are rethinking what value truly means—beyond benefits to belonging, relevance, and impact. Hosted by Colleen G...

In this special year-end episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we’re re-airing the live broadcast of the 2025 Association Insights CommImpact Awards , originally streamed on YouTube. Hosted by Colleen Gallagher , President and CEO and Meghan Henning, Senior PR Strategist of OnWrd & UpWrd, the ceremony celebrated associations across North America whose communications, storytelling, and...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast—and the next installment in our Big Ideas & Trends Series—host Meghan Henning sits down with Stephanie Simpson and Derek Neal, CAE to talk about what a real association turnaround looks like behind the scenes. Stephanie Simpson will conclude her tenure as CEO of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) this month to step into her new...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher kicks off our Big Ideas & Trends Series with a candid conversation about what it really takes for associations to innovate. Colleen is joined by Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting; Jamie Notter, Culture Scientist; and Chrissy Bagby, CAE, PMP, Chief Strategy Officer, American Associat...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Jamie Shibley, Co-Founder & CEO of The Expressory, to talk about how thoughtful appreciation can become a real strategy for retention, sponsorship loyalty, and long-term trust—not just a year-end “nice to have.” Drawing on her roots in her grandfather’s relationship-driven flower shop and years in corpor...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning takes listeners to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a powerful conversation with Ed Silver, Vice President of Business Development at Explore Asheville. With more than 25 years in travel and hospitality—from Flight Centre and American Express Travel to GBTA and Lodging.com—Ed brings a unique blend of tech, business development, a...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Denny Lengkong, President of IntelliData, for a candid, jargon-free conversation about turning association data into decisions. From “Dashboarding 101” to building a culture that breaks down silos, Denny shares practical ways teams of any size can start small, prove value, and scale their analytics—without...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Suzanne Struglinski , seasoned communications and PR practitioner, to talk about what it really takes to plan a successful event when it’s not your full-time job. From coordinating the Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) conference to helping with the all-volunteer Women of the Year Awards with Washington...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Julie McDowell, Director of Strategic Communications & Digital Content, and Becca Battisfore, Senior Content Strategist, at the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for an in-depth look at how a legacy association is modernizing its approach to content, data, and digital engagement. From managing mess...

In this episode of the Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher continues the Member Value Reimagined series with an energizing and candid conversation with Julie Davis , Director of Marketing and Membership, and Ben H. Rome , Director of Communications and Brand, at the American Bus Association (ABA). From strategic tech upgrades to authentic storytelling, Julie and Ben share how ABA...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher continues the Member Value Reimagined series with a conversation that’s both timely and inspiring. Her guest, MJ Shoer , Chief Community Officer at the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) , shares how his organization—formerly the CompTIA Community—is redefining member engagement and impact across the global IT...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we're continuing our Member Value Reimagined series with an eye-opening conversation about one of the most overlooked engagement tools in the association toolkit: audio . Host Meghan Henning sits down with Kevin C. Mitchell, Esq . , CEO of Modio Information Group, to explore how narrated content and branded audio platforms are helping assoc...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we launch our Member Value Reimagined series with a bold and inspiring story from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). Host Meghan Henning sits down with Pat White , Director of Membership, and Nealy Wheat , Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, to explore how ASNT broke the mold—replacing a traditional dues-based mod...

The Association PR Toolkit—Smart, Strategic, and Actually Doable In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, walks through the essential tools every association needs in their PR playbook. From mapping out the right stories to building the right press list—and pitching them to the right people—this is your tactical, honest, and refre...

In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, breaks down one of the most debated tactics in association PR: awareness days. While some call them overdone or ineffective, Colleen makes the case that, done right, awareness days can unlock real visibility, credibility, and media wins —especially for associations. With real client example...

A True Video Partner: Rethinking Storytelling at Your Association In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, O&U CEO and host Colleen Gallagher sits down with C. Dallas Golden, DES, founder and Chief Video Strategist of Pond Ripple Media, for an honest and energizing conversation about the power of authentic storytelling. Dallas has spent the last decade helping associations and nonp...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we’re bringing you a special replay of our summer LinkedIn Live panel: Communicating What Matters—How Associations Can Lead with Strategic Storytelling . Originally hosted by OnWrd & UpWrd CEO Colleen Gallagher, this roundtable features two communications leaders navigating some of the most complex issues facing associations today: Tim Ebne...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Meghan Henning sits down with Marilena Vrana , Vice President of Public Affairs and EU Operations at the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) , to explore what it takes to lead a global association strategy with unity, speed, and impact. From Brussels to Washington, Marilena shares how her team navigates cultural, regulatory, and...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we wrap up our August series on artificial intelligence with a standout example of AI in action. Host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Dave Dellin, Chief Executive Officer of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), to explore how a tech-forward mindset is transforming a legacy association.  From reducing call volume to enhancing 24/7 membe...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we continue our August series on artificial intelligence with a thoughtful conversation about voice, values, and the real-world applications of generative AI. Host Meghan Henning sits down with Preeti Vasishtha, Director of Content and Editor in Chief at the American Academy of Actuaries, to explore how she’s using AI as both an intern and a st...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we kick off our August series on artificial intelligence with a powerful real-world example of how small-staff associations can lead with strategy, innovation—and confidence. Host Meghan Henning sits down with Cathy Lada, D.Sc., CAE, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer at the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE), to explore h...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we wrap up our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a candid conversation about the human side of corporate engagement. Host Meghan Henning sits down with Cindy Simpson, M.Ed., CAE, Corporate Relations Manager at the Urgent Care Association (UCA), who brings decades of experience across membership, meetings, and...