In this episode, host Justin Burniske (Meta-Dao), sits down with Elizabeth Engel (Spark Consulting), Jamie Notter (Culture Scientist), and Adam Savino (ASIS International) to explore how the Lean Startup methodology can help associations innovate smarter, faster, and with greater impact.

The group discusses how associations can apply Lean principles—like rapid experimentation, the build–measure–learn cycle, and data-driven decision-making—to test new ideas and develop non-dues revenue streams without wasting limited resources. They also dive into the cultural side of innovation: how to create space for change, embrace learning from failure, and move beyond the “loudest voice in the room.”

From overcoming internal resistance to exploring how AI can accelerate learning, this conversation offers practical advice and real-world examples for any association ready to adapt and grow.

🎧 Listen to learn:

• How Lean Startup principles translate to the association world

• Why culture can make or break innovation

• The importance of measuring what truly matters

• Ways AI can enhance experimentation and learning

Inspired by the recently released white paper “Lean at 10” (https://bit.ly/LeanAt10), this episode is a must-listen for association leaders looking to turn smart ideas into sustainable action.

In the final episode of the I want to be a CXO series, how do I get there? series, Gabrielle Elahimjian Sroor (member of ASAE’s Young Professional Advisory Council) sits down with Brianne Wheeler, Founder & CEO of Levitate Marketing, to talk about unconventional career paths, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the association space. 

Brianne shares how diverse experiences shaped her career, why people and networks open unexpected doors, and what it really takes to step into the C-suite—or launch your own business. From lessons on resilience, metrics, and mentorship to candid stories of navigating challenges, this conversation is full of practical takeaways for anyone looking to grow as a leader in associations. 

In this episode, "When One System Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Association Tech for Agility and Growth," we explore a challenge many associations face: relying solely on their AMS to manage everything from member management to communications. As member expectations grow and digital strategies become more complex, a single system often can’t keep up—resulting in workarounds, data silos, and stalled innovation.

Discover how a more flexible, integrated approach to technology can help. We dive into how associations are rethinking their tech stacks by combining specialized platforms that work seamlessly together. This approach doesn’t replace the AMS but expands its impact, delivering greater agility, richer data insights, and a more personalized member experience.

Whether you’re feeling limited by your current system or just curious about what’s next, this episode offers practical insights for building a smarter, more adaptive technology foundation to support growth.

Moderator:

• Vinnu Deshetty, Event ROI Coach

Speakers:

• Reggie Henry, ASAE’s Chief Information & Performance Excellence Officer
• Jeff Horne, Founder & CEO of Wicket
• Ron McGrath, Founder & CEO of HighRoad Solutions

Make sure to follow TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/ 

In this episode of Decoding Membership, host Michael Skiados, MBA, CAE, CEO of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, leads a conversation on what really drives membership retention after renewal. Alongside expert panelists Nathan Chamberlain, CAE, Heather Harris, Ph.D., and Brittany Lancor, the discussion focuses on post-renewal engagement, behavioral signals, and how associations can use data, psychology, and smart design to keep members connected.

Topics include behavioral segmentation, onboarding after renewal, recognizing early signs of disengagement, and using both high-touch and low-touch strategies effectively. This episode offers associations a fresh, actionable perspective on how to move beyond transactional renewals and build deeper member loyalty.

This episode explores video content strategies for associations, including best practices for creating engaging and accessible videos, tools and platforms to simplify production, and how to decide between outsourcing and building an in-house team.

Hosted by Jenny Daigle, MS, Director of Communications, Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), she speaks with Emily O’Connor, Content Production Manager, Society for Neuroscience & Taylor Johnson, Senior Manager of Multimedia, Society for Neuroscience.

Podcast was created by the ASAE Communications Professionals Advisory Council: https://www.asaecenter.org/membership/rosters/communication-section-council

Membership is more than a transaction. It’s an experience shaped by what happens after a member joins and before they decide to stay.

In this episode, host Rhoni Rakos, ASAE Tech Council member and digital strategy consultant, leads a cross-functional conversation with association experts who are rethinking how we design the membership experience. Together, they explore how behavioral cues, design strategy, and member data can help associations build more intentional, trust-driven journeys.

Guests include:

• Michelle Wroblewski, Director of Association Growth and Strategy

• Brittany Lancor, Senior Marketing Manager at PropFuel and incoming Chair of the ASAE Marketing Professionals Advisory Council

• Evan Reid, Senior Director of Analytics and ASAE Tech Council member

This episode is part of Decoding Membership, a three-part podcast series by the ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council. Each episode brings together diverse voices to explore how associations can evolve recruitment, retention, and renewal strategies using behavioral science, data analytics, and cross-departmental collaboration.

In Episode 1 of the Decoding Membership series, we take on the question every association faces: who really owns the challenge of membership retention?

Our panel explores how fragmented teams, confirmation bias, and surface-level engagement metrics often hide the real signals behind why members renew or leave. We break down how organizations can unify retention strategy across membership, marketing, IT, and leadership, using data, behavioral science, and predictive modeling to build stronger renewal pathways.

Generative AI is moving fast, but are associations thinking beyond personal use? In this episode, ASAE Tech Council members Carlos Cardenas and Adam Ayotte-Savino are joined by legal expert Dorothy Deng, Partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, to explore the legal, copyright, contract, and organizational risks associations must consider as AI becomes part of their daily operations.

From human authorship to fair use and contract language, this conversation offers practical insights for association leaders, boards, and staff navigating the AI landscape.

In this third episode of our series on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), we explore how to apply RAG in real-world environments. Host Rhoni Rakos talks with Heather Harris, PhD, and Chris Yoko about ensuring quality, managing risk, protecting proprietary knowledge, and keeping human oversight at the center of AI-powered workflows.

You may already be using RAG without realizing it. Tools like advanced search, AI assistants, and even some enterprise chat platforms use RAG to pull accurate answers from curated content.

The ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council stays on top of emerging technologies and trends that impact the association community. We are here to help you navigate what’s next.

Catch up on the full series:
• Episode 1: What Is RAG? How It Works and Why It Matters
• Episode 2: Designing and Deploying RAG Systems

Together, these episodes offer practical insights for building responsible RAG solutions that enhance knowledge delivery and member value.

Everyone loves a good tech strategy session—but how do we make sure those plans don’t just sit on a shelf? We’re diving into the realities of making strategy happen. Join us for the second installment of Tech Strategy in Action, a series where we dive into exactly that.  

Today we will be discussing how CLIA has implemented their newly imagined website based on an enormous amount of user research, led by our guest Jill Straniero, SVP of Digital Solutions and Managing Director of Global Technology. We will discuss how deep user interviews and audience analysis revealed the need to shift from a department-focused approach to an audience-focused digital strategy. The findings helped streamline twelve websites into two distinct ones. The conversation highlights how user research is not just for usability—it’s a strategic tool for long-term organizational alignment and smarter tech investments 

Hosted by Norma Castrejon, Vice President, Information Technology at the American Osteopathic Association and Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy at Ellipsis Partners.  

Make sure to follow TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/