How can associations remain relevant and valuable in an AI-driven world? How do associations create new knowledge while serving as the second source of truth in a world when search is dominated by AI engines?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Rob Wenger, CEO of Higher Logic. Rob discusses:

• Why people are prioritizing human connections over content at conferences, and how associations can support meaningful, year-round engagement.
• How Higher Logic’s Thrive platform integrates community, mentoring, volunteering, and marketing in a single ecosystem.
• Why virtual connections can be just as valuable as in-person ones, and how community platforms can reach younger and mid-career members who often don’t attend in person events.
• Why it’s a myth that trade associations can’t do online community due to competition, and what the data really shows.
• The existential threat to associations that delayed AI adoption creates, and why the window to act is closing fast.
• How Higher Logic is using AI and big data to automate over 200 types of marketing campaigns that associations often don’t have the resources to do.
• Why associations must become "the second answer engine" for their members when AI tools fall short.
• The role of associations in generating expert, original content that will feed and sustain AI innovation in the future.
• Rob’s journey from CTO to CEO, how he intentionally developed leadership traits over 20 years, and why he came out of retirement to lead Higher Logic again.

References:

• Higher Logic Website
• Higher Logic’s Thrive product
• Higher Logic’s 2024 Association Member Experience Report
• Higher Logic’s 2024 Association Email Benchmark Report

What happens when the people we count on to save lives… stop volunteering? How can associations support vital, yet undervalued, professions in today’s economy?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Alan DeYoung, Executive Director and CEO of the Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA). Alan discusses:

• The persistent challenge that EMS in Wisconsin is not legally mandated, leading to gaps in emergency care access across the state.
• A new state reimbursement program that will make EMS education free for Wisconsinites, removing financial barriers for individuals and employers alike.
• How WEMSA advocates for EMS through legislative efforts, including Alan becoming a registered lobbyist to deepen his influence and connections.
• The role of community-led initiatives, such as HOAs training members as first responders in rural areas.
• Why Alan believes being an outsider to the EMS profession strengthens his unbiased leadership and operational support role.
• How WEMSA uses tech stack reviews and system automation to maximize the impact of their small team.
• The importance of in-person member visits for member engagement, advocacy, member retention, and program development.
• A creative, non-dues revenue initiative to help EMS departments cover more of their costs by recovering patient insurance information that is often not collected in the rush of an EMS call.
• Why associations that implement education or industry-specific programs are more likely to thrive long-term.

References:

• WEMSA Website
• 2022 Associations Thrive interview with Alan DeYoung

How do you honor the legacy of a founding executive and also bring  innovation, structure, and new energy to an organization? How can associations build strong member relationships, especially during leadership transitions?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Dr. Celia Zamora, Executive Director of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT). Celia discusses:

• How ACAPT is a trade association representing over 270 graduate-level physical therapy programs across the U.S.
• How physical therapy as a profession continues to grow due to factors like an aging population and new trends like "pickleball injuries." 
• Celia’s nontraditional path to becoming an association CEO, including her PhD in Applied Linguistics.
• The impact of ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) on her career trajectory.
• How she navigated the transition as ACAPT's second-ever Executive Director, honoring the founding leader’s legacy while introducing structure, processes, and accessibility.
• The listening tour she embarked on with members, including conversations with those who did not renew membership, to improve transparency and communication.
• ACAPT’s upcoming Education Leadership Conference, which marks the beginning of the next decade for the organization under new leadership.
• Plans to expand ACAPT’s global presence and foster international partnerships in physical therapy education.

References:

• ACAPT Website

How do we prevent strategic plans from sitting on a shelf and instead embed them into an organization's DNA? How can associations become true communities of practice where learning and innovation are peer-led?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Mike Moss, President of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). Mike discusses:

• SCUP’s mission as a professional society focused on integrated planning in higher education.
• The difference between strategic planning and integrated planning—ensuring plans are continuously executed, aligned, and adjusted across departments.
• Why SCUP’s members are often responsible for planning, even when it’s not in their job titles.
• SCUP’s new strategic plan that emphasizes becoming a peer-led community of practice rather than an expert-driven organization.
• Major structural changes to governance, including a new set of flexible bylaws and reimagined committees to better support member collaboration.
• The transition of SCUP staff—via retirement and new hires—to reflect the new direction, along with upskilling existing staff.
• Enhancements to their annual conference to foster group-based learning and peer-driven sessions.
• The SCUP Exchange, a digital collaboration platform that empowers members to connect and lead discussions without top-down oversight.
• A new, simplified, and more affordable membership model designed to increase access and participation across campuses.

References:

• SCUP Website

What happens when your mission to support underrepresented communities in academia suddenly comes under political scrutiny? And how can your association stay true to its values while navigating legal and societal change?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Alfonzo Alexander, President and CEO of The PhD Project. Alfonzo discusses:

• How The PhD Project recruits business professionals from diverse backgrounds to pursue PhDs and become business school faculty.
• The organization’s impact in increasing the number of underrepresented faculty from just 250 in 1994 to 1,600 today.
• Why the organization is still vital, as faculty of color make up less than 4% of all business school professors.
• The “mentor effect,” wherein representation among faculty encourages underrepresented students to pursue academic and business careers.
• The shift in application policies to remove demographic requirements in response to investigations under the Trump administration.
• The organization’s efforts to support members through mentorship, community-building, and guidance—not financial aid.
• Continued strength in the PhD pipeline and a highly attended 2025 conference, even amidst institutional pressures.
• New revenue diversification efforts, including partnerships, masterclasses, and showcasing thought leaders from within the PhD Project community.

References:

• The PhD Project Website
• Associations Thrive episode 69 with Blane Ruschak, former President of The PhD Project

How do associations stay resilient in times of personal and professional change? How can they remain a trusted space when trust is in short supply?

In this special episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda reconnects with fellow podcasters Dave Coriale and KiKi L’Italien. Dave and Kiki discuss:

• KiKi's Academy of Leaders Award from ASAE and how this award means so much to her.
• How DelCor is navigating the loss of co-founder Loretta DeLuca while staying grounded in its mission and values.
• The dual experience of grieving and moving forward, and how organizations can honor both emotions.
• The need for intentional leadership during times of transition and challenge.
• Joanna’s upcoming book about associations’ unsung contributions during the pandemic, featuring 25 chapters of inspiring stories.
• Their respective podcast themes: leadership, trust, technology, and relationships.
• The increasing pressure on associations to be safe, trusted places for differing viewpoints.
• How association IT leaders must evolve from order takers to strategic partners.
• The role of trust in the AI era and how associations must double down on protecting member data and trust.
• Personal stories of finding joy amidst challenges, from KiKi’s time with her daughter to Dave’s “walk and talk” calls and Joanna’s “no zero days” mantra in 2025.

References:

• Dave Coriale, DelCor Technology Solutions and host of Reboot IT
• KiKi L’Italien, Association Chat and host of Association Chat

What does responsible AI look like when managing vast amounts of unstructured data? How can associations remain relevant as AI reshapes content discovery and member expectations?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda welcomes back Tori Miller-Liu, President and CEO of the Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM). Tori discusses:

• How AIIM supports practitioners managing unstructured and semi-structured data like emails, contracts, and social posts, particularly in highly regulated industries.
• How AI has long been used in the industry, but the rise of generative AI has accelerated innovation and transformed data processing, governance, and compliance.
• The evolving roles within the profession, and how many AIIM members are now part of AI project teams and responsible for ensuring data accuracy and ethical implementation.
• Why it’s so important to have someone on any AI project team who is responsible for ensuring that data is accurate and data is safeguarded. 
• AIIM’s unique hybrid identity as both a professional society and a trade association, representing both practitioners and vendors.
• How AIIM is addressing changes in content discovery, since traditional search is increasingly being replaced by AI assistants, prompting new strategies for publishing and content visibility.
• The launch of AIIM’s own AI search assistant, named Aiden, and the implications for member experience and marketing.
• How Tori led AIIM through some challenging times by first stabilizing the association, rebuilding community, and making tough financial decisions.
• The association’s recent wins: a successful annual conference, the launch of an AI certificate, growing membership, and new educational offerings like regional events and book clubs.
• How leaders today must adapt to the hybrid world, the AI landscape, and the transformation of association activities, from conferences to certification.

References:

• AIIM Website
• February 2023 Associations Thrive Interview with Tori Miller Liu

What happens to students when they don’t see themselves reflected in the teachers and administrators around them? How can associations foster belonging for members who often feel like the “only one” in their professional environment?

 In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Edgar Palacios, Founder and CEO of the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC). Edgar discusses:

• The founding vision of LEC: to dramatically increase Latino educator representation to better serve Latino students in Kansas City and beyond.
• How Edgar was inspired to start LEC after visiting a school that had 99.9% Latino students and zero educators of color.
• Why representation matters: students experience stronger identity, engagement, and academic performance when they see themselves in their educators.
• The challenges Latino educators face as often the sole representative of their community in a school, taking on unofficial roles like translator, cultural broker, and emotional support provider.
• The alarming gap between student and educator demographics: 25% of K-12 students are Latino, yet only about 2% of teachers are Latino nationally (and closer to 1% in Kansas City).
• LEC’s Expresión program, which helps Latino educators build identity-based storytelling skills to empower themselves and inspire their students.
• LEC’s Futuros initiative, aimed at bringing 50 new Latino educators to Kansas City by 2027 — a significant boost from the current ~300 educators.
• How LEC provides community and mental health affirmation for isolated educators who may be questioning whether they belong in the profession.
• The importance of collecting both quantitative data and qualitative stories to document impact and secure funding.
• Edgar’s strong belief in leaning into joy, identity, and authenticity even amid a challenging political climate.

References:

• LEC Website

What if your leadership style is deeply influenced by your cultural values, but you've never been taught to recognize it? How can an organization unlock hidden leadership potential across an entire community?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Linda Akutagawa, President and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP). Linda discusses:

• How LEAP was founded over 40 years ago to grow and develop leadership among the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities.
• The classic origin story: leaders sitting around a kitchen table, wondering why the same people kept showing up in leadership roles.
• How LEAP’s signature workshop, Understanding and Leading from Your Cultural Values, helps participants recognize how culture shapes leadership styles.
• How Linda’s own journey with LEAP began as a volunteer, and how she intentionally pursued her CEO appointment by insisting on a formal, competitive search.
• The tension in Linda’s leadership style between the value of harmony and the need to engage in difficult conversations.
• LEAP’s cross-sector programs for students, early career professionals, mid-career leaders, and executives in corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors.
• The national (and growing international) reach of LEAP’s leadership programs.
• LEAP’s one-on-one executive coaching model and its impressive roster of Asian American certified coaches.
• LEAP’s annual fundraiser, the Leadership Experience and Celebration, which includes new learning and caucusing opportunities.
• LEAP’s vision to expand globally, bringing its cultural leadership model to diasporas in Australia, Europe, and beyond.

References:

• LEAP Website
• Leadership Experience and Celebration

Are our communities really prepared for modern public safety threats? And what role do accreditation and credentialing play in building resilient fire departments?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Preet Bassi, CEO of the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). Preet discusses:

• The reasons fire departments pursue accreditation: to showcase excellence, correct operational failures, or continuously improve.
• Why CPSE’s model works best for medium to large fire departments — big enough to implement a structured management model but small enough to pivot strategically.
• The challenges faced by rural volunteer fire departments, including lack of resources, equity of service, and training gaps amid increasing environmental and societal threats.
• The growing importance of fire departments defining and meeting "standards of cover" — performance metrics for different emergency scenarios.
• CPSE’s internal commitment to strategic planning: transitioning from a “fix it” plan to their current “grow it” plan, with a people-first focus.
• How CPSE manages and celebrates its volunteers, and contractors, whose contributions amount to 28.5 full-time equivalents annually.
• The launch of the CPSE Center for Innovation, a new subsidiary to support evidence-based decision-making and broaden CPSE’s impact in the field.
• Creation of the CPSE Community Experience to keep departments and credentialed individuals engaged between accreditation cycles.
• The shift in public safety from public administration to public policy — requiring departments to address homelessness, addiction, mental health, and affordable housing.
• Preet’s Sikh heritage and how the value of seva (selfless service) influences both her career and personal life.

References:

• CPSE Website
• What is Seva?