The Association Insights Podcast

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we continue our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a fresh perspective from the higher education space. Host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Leah Lang, Senior Director of Partnerships and Corporate Engagement at EDUCAUSE, to explore how the organization moved beyond transactional sponsorships and built a high-...

In this special encore episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher welcomes back David Whited, Principal of Design Research & Strategy at Highland , to walk us through fresh insights from the newly released 2025 Young Professional Membership Index (YPMI) —dropping the same day this episode airs. Earlier this year, David helped us kick off our Gen Z series with data-bac...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we continue our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a behind-the-scenes look at how one major association is building long-term value through strategic partnerships and innovative fulfillment models. Host Meghan Henning sits down with John Buckley, Senior Director of Business Partnerships and Expo Operations at t...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we kick off our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a powerful conversation featuring Edessa Polzin, PCM, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the American Marketing Association (AMA). Host Meghan Henning sits down with Edessa to explore how AMA is transforming partnerships from transactional to transformationa...

In this short solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher delivers a high-energy dose of practical advice for busy association leaders—one quick-hit insight at a time. With more than a dozen rapid-fire questions, Colleen tackles everything from member engagement and strategic planning to board dynamics, advocacy messaging, and internal communication. If you’ve ever wis...

In this encore episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher welcomes back Dr. Bill Conerly , economist, Forbes contributor, and author of The Flexible Stance: Thriving in a Boom/Bust Economy . Almost two years to the day since his last appearance, Bill returns with a timely update on the economic landscape—and what it means for associations navigating uncertainty in 2025. W...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Leonard Steinhorn, Professor of Communication and Affiliate Professor of History at American University, for a dynamic, deeply relevant conversation on how associations can lead with clarity, ethics, and impact in today’s fragmented media environment. A former broadcast commentator, prolific writer, and awa...

In this solocast episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, dives into one of the most essential, and often most underleveraged, tools in any association’s toolbox: communication. From navigating complex topics to telling stories that resonate, Colleen shares how associations can move beyond the buzzwords and show up with clarity, courage, and st...

In this bonus episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we wrap up our Gen Z Insights Series—spotlighting rising professionals shaping the future of associations from the inside out. This special series is made possible by our partners at Highland . Host Keaveny Hewitt from OnWrd & UpWrd sits down with Alyssa Garcia, Web Project Manager, Master Juggler, and Cat Herder at Matrix Group Inter...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we continue our Gen Z Insights Series—spotlighting rising professionals shaping the future of associations from the inside out. This special series is made possible by our partners at Highland . Host Keaveny Hewitt from OnWrd & UpWrd welcomes two dynamic Gen Z/young Millennial leaders to the mic: Anastacia Barbosa-McBride, Content Marketing...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we continue our Gen Z Insights Series—spotlighting rising professionals shaping the future of associations from the inside out. This special series is made possible by our partners at Highland . Host Keaveny Hewitt from OnWrd & UpWrd sits down with Rachel Grace Leman, Specialist, Program Development at the Association of Corporate Counsel....

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we continue our Gen Z Insights Series—spotlighting rising professionals shaping the future of associations from the inside out. This special series is made possible by our partners at Highland . Host Keaveny Hewitt from OnWrd & UpWrd sits down with Laiya Rollins, Manager of Membership & Workforce Initiatives at LeadingAge Virginia. Laiy...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we kick off our May spotlight series on Gen Z and younger professionals in the association space—powered by our partners at Highland. Our guest is David Whited, Principal of Design Research & Strategy at Highland, an innovation consultancy helping mission-driven organizations uncover member needs and build digital solutions that meet them....

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we sit down with Rob Barnes , CAE, AAiP, CEO and co-founder of Betty —a groundbreaking AI knowledge assistant built specifically for associations. With three decades of association leadership across three countries, Rob brings a global lens and deep passion for community innovation. He shares how Betty is helping associations safeguard institut...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we’re bringing you a special replay of one of our most engaging LinkedIn Live panels: The Future of Association Events . Originally hosted by OnWrd & UpWrd CEO Colleen Gallagher, this roundtable brings together an all-star lineup of association leaders, event strategists, and production experts to explore the biggest shifts shaping events i...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we sit down with Matt Marcial, CAE, CMP, newly named Chief Executive Officer of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). With a deep background in association leadership and a passion for building stronger communities, Matt shares how he’s approaching his first months at the helm of PRSA—and what’s ahead for one of the industry’s most im...

In this special 100th episode of The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher reflects on the lessons, themes, and unforgettable guests that have shaped the show since its launch. From candid career conversations to powerful leadership insights, this milestone episode is both a celebration and a roadmap for the future of associations. Colleen shares the big ideas that have come up tim...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we sit down with Jeanne Metzger, Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Communications at the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP). With more than 25 years of experience across multiple associations, Jeanne shares practical strategies for strengthening value propositions, engaging members, and leading communications...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we close out our March Leadership Series with Annette Gregg, CMM, MBA, CIS, CEO of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). Annette leads SITE’s 3,100 global members across 90 countries and brings deep expertise in business events, leadership, and community building. Annette shares how she’s guided SITE through rapid growth post-pand...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, our March Leadership Series continues with Joanna Pineda, CEO and Chief Troublemaker of Matrix Group . A seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader, Joanna has spent over 25 years helping associations harness digital transformation, enhance member engagement, and drive organizational success. She also hosts the Associations Thrive Podcast , whe...

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast , we continue our March Leadership Series with Anne Reinke , President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) . With a dynamic career spanning government affairs, corporate leadership, and association management, Anne shares her approach to raising industry visibility, building advocacy efforts, and leading through change...

Our March Leadership Series kicks off on The Association Insights Podcast with Brandie Thacker, AAP, CAE, MBA, President & CEO of EPCOR . Brandie’s leadership journey—from communications and marketing to the C-suite—offers valuable lessons for association professionals navigating change, strategy, and member engagement. With nearly two decades in the payments industry, Brandie shares how she t...

In the final episode of our February advocacy series on The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) , to discuss the biggest policy challenges facing the tech industry and how CTA is navigating the evolving political landscape. With over 30 years leading one of the most influential trade asso...

In the latest episode of our February advocacy series on The Association Insights Podcast , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Stéphanie Pochon, European Lobbyist with Forward Global , to explore how U.S. associations can effectively engage in European advocacy. With 20 years of experience influencing over 50 pieces of EU legislation, Stéphanie shares practical insights on navigating Brussels,...

In the latest episode of our advocacy series on The Association Insights Podcast (previously The Association 100 podcast - same great content, fresh new name!), host Colleen Gallagher engages in a compelling conversation with Louise St. Germain, Director of Membership, Marketing, and External Relations at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). With over 24 years of experie...