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 International, whose journey from audio engineer to association tech partner is anything but traditional. Alyssa brings a refreshing blend of creative storytelling, strategic thinking, and deep curiosity to the conversation—offering insights on everything from website design to DEI, mentorship, and what it means to take up space.

🎧 It’s the perfect finale to our Gen Z series—filled with purpose, candor, and big-picture thinking about where associations go from here.

Key Highlights:

From Studio to Strategy: How a music industry background led Alyssa to association tech—and what storytelling and design have in common.

Websites That Work: Why redesigns are about more than navigation—and how intentional digital experiences can signal inclusion, trust, and clarity to members.

Take Up Space: What it’s like to be a woman of color in leadership—and why Alyssa believes young professionals shouldn’t wait to be invited to the table.

Mentorship That Matters: How one CEO's representation and generosity changed Alyssa’s perspective—and what that tells us about the power of seeing yourself in leadership.

Creatives Belong Here: Why associations need to rethink what "professional" looks like—and embrace the diverse talents and perspectives Gen Z brings to the table.

AANHPI Heritage Month Reflections: Alyssa shares what this month means to her as a Filipino American—and why representation, especially in leadership, still matters deeply.

Real Over Rigid: Whether it’s website copy, social media, or advocacy campaigns—authentic storytelling builds trust faster than polish ever could.

🎧 Tune in now for a smart, thoughtful, and inspiring send-off to our Gen Z Insights Series.

Resources:🌐 Learn more about our series partner Highland: www.highlandsolutions.com📊 Explore the Young Professional Membership Index: http://ypmi.reportThe YPMI offers a quick, 15-minute organizational snapshot that helps association leaders identify gaps in young professional engagement and benchmark their performance against peers. It’s free to take—and packed with immediately actionable insights.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Coming Soon:🎙️ In June, we’re shifting focus to Communicating What Matters—a month-long look at how associations are navigating complexity, managing crises, and telling their stories with purpose and impact. From communications strategy to crisis response, we’re diving into what works—and what leaders need now. Don’t miss it.