What do you do when your organization’s name is well known, but what you actually do is NOT well known or understood? How do you educate the public and the healthcare community for greater awareness and support?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Silvia Quevedo, Executive Director of Lamaze International. Silvia discusses: 

• That Lamaze is so much more than a breathing technique. Lamaze is a philosophy, education, advocacy, and practices that foster healthy labor, delivery and early parenting.
• The maternal health crisis in the US, especially among women of color and women in rural communities.
• The six healthy birth practices that are supported by the World Health Organization.
• How being an association executive is Silvia’s second career, and how being an executive director for the first time is like drinking from a fire hose.
• Her biggest piece of advice to other association CEOs: listen more and listen to what’s being said and NOT said.
• How Lamaze expanded membership categories so that anyone working with pregnancy and birthing can join.
• How Lamaze is a brand and the organization licenses its name to products, including clothing and toys. The processing for vetting licensees is very thorough.
• Lamaze’s advocacy work includes supporting the Medicaid expansion in states, and support for workforce development programs.
• The member toolkits and resources Lamaze has developed, enabling members to better communicate the organization's mission and services.

References:

• Lamaze International website

What was on the minds of association and nonprofit CEOs in 2024? What themes and trends came through?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda checks back in with Leah Monica, Director of Marketing, and Ray Stankiewicz, Director of Client Solutions at Matrix Group International. They look back on another year of Associations Thrive podcast episodes. They discuss:

• Storytelling for the Industry, and how associations feel a responsibility to tell the story of their members and industries.
• How associations are leveraging multi-month programs that combine education, community building, and mentorship.
• How leaders are adapting to remote and hybrid models in a post-pandemic, hybrid and AI-driven world.
• The looming membership cliff and how many associations face significant member retirements within the next 5-10 years.
• Their favorite tips and insights from a year of Associations Thrive episodes.

How do you train under-represented leaders so they have the skills, experiences and relationships to truly move up in their careers? Read about The Surge Institute’s 12-month program that is truly making an impact!

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Ulric Shannon, ED of the Surge Institute. Ulric discusses:

• How the Surge Institute was created to elevate leaders of color and create transformative change in the K-12 schools in Chicago Public Schools.
• The Surge Fellowship Program, a 12-month program targeting education and youth-serving professionals. 
• How Surge Fellowship participants learn through courses on negotiation, communication, project management, and leadership, while engaging with historical and cultural studies (e.g., readings from Martin Luther King Jr.).
• The Power Surge Program, a shorter version of the regular Fellowship Program; Power Surge is designed for leadership roles like superintendents and chief equity officers.
• The Black Principals Network, a program that supports Black principals across the country through free virtual programs and the Leadership Collaborative fellowship.
• How the Surge Institute's events are both celebratory and strategic, fostering alumni engagement and collective learning.

References:

• The Surge Institute Website
• The Surge Institute’s Progams
• Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
• https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus
• License code: M2POPMBVFCE0RIPZ

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda sat down with fellow association podcasters:

• Dave Coriale, Delcor Technology Solutions and host of Reboot IT
• Kiki L’Italien, Association Chat and host of Association Chat
• Ben Muscolino, Breezio and AMSGeek and host of The Association Podcast
• Dave Will, PropFuel and host of Association Strong

After checking in about what’s been happening in their lives, these five podcasters, who call themselves DC’s Podcast Angels, discuss:

• What’s got them worked up and it’s a big and important list that includes: AMS implementation going way over budget, return to office, time poverty, project timelines, missing seeing our teams, and cell phone addiction.
• How to create connections and culture over Zoom.
• Efficiency vs effectiveness.
• Carving out time to focus on our businesses.
• Being there for the people we care about.
• Incremental change that will help us be better versions of ourselves.

What role can technology play in improving access to mental health and substance use services, particularly in underserved communities? How can the stigma surrounding mental health act as an obstacle for mental health support providers?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Blanca Campos, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association (CBHA). Blanca discusses:

• How CBHA represents community-based mental health and substance use support providers, primarily working with Medicaid-eligible clients of all ages.
• How member agencies are nonprofits contracting with the state of Illinois.
• How the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the demand for behavioral health 
• The historical underfunding of behavioral health systems.
• How agencies face challenges in competitive funding and staffing due to inadequate reimbursement rates.
• The importance of maintaining strong partnerships with the government and stakeholders.
• CBHA’s efforts to address the need for competitive salaries and supporting providers to strengthen the behavioral healthcare workforce.
• How Blanca’s mentor, Marvin Lindsey, exposed her to all facets of CBHA’s operations, including political dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and administrative responsibilities.
• How CBHA’s annual conference is growing alongside the association.
• How CBHA is tackling mental health and substance use stigma and creating a dialogue around them.
• CBHA’s advocacy for mental health parity: viewing mental health as equally important as physical health.
• The importance of leading by example in supporting staff’s mental health by encouraging vacations and mental health breaks, and creating a safe space for employees to express needs without fear of judgment.

References:

• CBHA Website

When your membership is growing, how do you monitor and manage organizational priorities, staff responsibilities, and staff levels of stress and exhaustion?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Tip Tucker Kendall, Executive Director of the National Grants Management Association (NGMA). Tip discusses:

• How NGMA membership has tripled over the past few years to almost 6,000 members!
• How NGMA supports grant managers in navigating post-award compliance, ensuring proper spending of federal grants.
• How the profession often lacks a clear entry pathway, leading new professionals to rely on associations like NGMA for training and support.
• Her leadership journey, transitioning from roles in the travel industry to association management. She became the ED after serving as the Director of Operations and Interim ED.
• Her advice for first-time CEOs, highlighting the importance of risk management, policy development, and fostering trust.
• How CEOs must ensure the board feels empowered to lead and be involved in critical decisions, while trusting the staff to manage daily operations.
• How moving from a “hands-on” operational board to a strategic oversight board requires difficult conversations and trust-building.
• The importance of recognizing when staff is overwhelmed, reassessing priorities, and ensuring projects are managed by those with the passion and capacity to lead.
• The trend of exhaustion among small staff CEOs, and the intense demands of multitasking and limited resource delegation.
• How she maintains energy through a healthy work-life balance. This self-care leads to better work and a better state of mind.

References:

• NGMA Website

How can your organization provide support and resources to a vast community of members in many different situations? How do you build connections between members of different ages, genders, ethnicities, experiences, and backgrounds?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Laurie Kulikosky, CEO of Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD). Laurie discusses:

• How CHADD is the largest U.S. organization for ADHD support, with a mission to empower individuals with ADHD by providing evidence-based resources and advocating for inclusivity and rights.
• How CHADD's resources support millions of Americans with ADHD, including individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and educators.
• How CHADD stands out by focusing on scientifically validated ADHD information. Unlike many online resources, CHADD provides credible, medically reviewed resources, partly funded by a CDC grant.
• How she went from working with an SAT tutoring company to taking roles at the Consumer Technology Association and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons before becoming CHADD’s CEO.
• How her executive coaching helped clarify her career path to CEO and how not everyone needs to aspire to be a CEO, and the importance of other roles in associations.
• How CHADD’s membership spans both the general public and professionals. It functions partly as a nonprofit providing resources on ADHD to people who may not be formal members.
• The impact of her predecessor, a professional interim CEO, who helped stabilize CHADD and set up a foundational roadmap for her role.
• How the current leadership at CHADD has focused on identifying and implementing strategies for growth, especially following the rapid changes brought by the pandemic.
• CHADD’s new program that offers training and resources for companies interested in supporting neurodivergent employees.
• The International Conference on ADHD that CHADD is co-hosting, which brings together professionals, healthcare providers, individuals with ADHD, and their supporters.
• How during ADHD Awareness Month, Chad collaborates with other organizations to amplify ADHD awareness and provide up-to-date resources.
• How CHADD is working with a coalition to create the first adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment guidelines in the U.S.
• How CHADD is preparing for another significant year of growth, aiming to expand support to more adults and offer continuous resources and advocacy.

References:

• ADHD Awareness Month, October 2024
• International Conference on ADHD, In-person November 14-16, 2024 in Anaheim, CA, Virtual March 7-8, 2025
• Free Resources and Support through CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD 
• Become a member of CHADD
• Donate to support CHADD’s work

How do you provide support to children and their families when a child is sick? How do you support your members during a time of significant burnout?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Alison Heron, CEO of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) and the Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC). Alison discusses:

• How child life specialists provide emotional support for children and families in healthcare settings through play therapy and other methods.
• How families are encouraged to ask for a certified child life specialist when their child enters a healthcare setting to ensure proper emotional care.
• How she participated in the ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program, which empowered her to become a CEO and a change agent.
• The importance of having a "personal board of directors" for mentorship and support.
• How the healthcare staffing crisis has led to increased burnout and mental stress among her members.
• How ACLP’s efforts to establish clear pathways for professional growth within hospitals are important for improving compensation and benefits.
• How ACLP provides data, mentorship, toolkits, and specialized training to help members advocate for better working conditions and resources within their institutions.
• ACLP’s Emotional Safety Initiative, which aims to train non-child life specialists, such as nurses and medical assistants, to help children cope with stressful situations.
• ACLP’s goal to have child life specialists work in settings beyond hospitals, such as dental offices, schools, and family courts.

References:

• ACLP Website
• CLCC Webpage

In honor of Filipino-American History Month, Joanna Pineda invites Kenneth Mendez, President & CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, on to the Associations Thrive podcast. Kenny discusses:

• How his family’s struggles with asthma and severe food allergies influenced his career transition into healthcare and his eventual role at AAFA.
• How climate change has worsened allergy seasons, leading to longer and more intense pollen seasons, causing an increase in allergies and asthma cases.
• How he uses business skills developed from corporate roles at Disney and Wall Street to run a mission-driven organization.
• His Filipino heritage and the values his parents instilled in him, such as a focus on education, family, and  loyalty. 
• Why Filipino Americans should consider careers in nonprofits. The culture of giving and service in Filipino communities aligns well with the mission-driven work of nonprofits.
• How Black Americans are disproportionately affected by asthma mortality and emergency room visits. Despite advances in asthma treatments, these disparities have remained unchanged.
• How AAFA’s “Asthma Capitals” research shows that cities in the Northeast and Midwest are particularly affected by poor air quality, making asthma more prevalent.
• AAFA’s HEAL program, which involves partnering with community-based asthma programs to improve asthma outcomes.
• How AAFA advocates for federal and state-level policies, such as funding for the CDC's National Asthma Control Program, and legislation to improve asthma and allergy care in schools and communities.
• AAFA’s role in getting sesame recognized as a major allergen in the U.S.
• AAFA’s free online community, which offers support, medical advice, and access to a network of individuals managing asthma and allergies.

References:

• AAFA Website
• Get Support
• Asthma Capitals

How do you balance being risk-averse with taking calculated risks that could benefit your organization? Can you think of a time when taking a risk in your organization led to unexpected success or a valuable learning experience?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Kate Fryer, CEO of the Endocrine Society. Kate discusses:

• How Kate discovered the association world after working as a copy editor for scientific journals, later pursuing a long-term association career.
• The importance of intentional decision making, and how inattention and inactivity can force you to make the wrong decision, taking choice out of your hands.
• Her experience starting as a CEO during the pandemic, and the effort she made to establish connections with staff and member leaders virtually.
• How Kate knew she was ready for a CEO role after realizing she could anticipate and critically evaluate the decisions of her mentor.
• How the Endocrine Society honestly evaluates their own strengths and weaknesses. Kate says that associations often have a "rose-colored glasses" view of their programs, which leads to some programs having a longer life than really needed..
• How the Endocrine Society is driving non-dues revenue by leveraging its large reserves to fund an innovation fund that invests in for profit ventures in the association and nonprofit space.
• Her advice to first time association CEOs: Your first Board meeting is critical to your success. You want Board members to be confident in their decision to hire you as the chief staff executive.

References:

• The Endocrine Society Website