In this episode, we talk to the co-chairs of VSAE’s Early Career Professionals Task Force, Laiya Rollins, membership and workforce initiatives manager at LeadingAge Virginia, and Lucy Firebaugh, communications and membership specialist for the Association of Consulting Foresters. Join us for a conversation about the importance of young and emerging professionals within VSAE and the association community as a whole, as well as networking, mentorship, and leadership development. 

Show notes

Laiya Rollins is the Membership & Workforce Initiatives Manager at LeadingAge Virginia, the association of not-for-profit aging services organizations serving residents and providers across the senior care continuum. She is responsible for the Association's membership & sponsorship recruitment and services function; including website-database management, and coordinates the Association's workforce initiatives. Laiya is a member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives and serves on their Early Career Professionals Group as a co-chair, the Young NonProfit Professional Network serving on their Leadership Team as well as the American Society Association Executives. She attended Old Dominion University, majoring in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources. Laiya is from Norfolk, Virginia and now resides in the Richmond area with her husband DJ and three young daughters: Elliana, Autumn and Milani.

Lucy Firebaugh is the Communications & Membership Specialist for the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF), a national organization headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is responsible for the overall communications of ACF including developing social media and website content, newsletters, and other various publications. She also handles all membership related inquiries and assists landowners who reach out seeking a professional ACF consulting forester in their area. Lucy is a member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives and serves on their Membership Committee and Early Career Professionals Group. Lucy grew up in Glen Allen, Virginia just outside of Richmond and now resides in Prince George, Virginia with her fiancée Matthew and beagle companion Tyson. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Advertising.

This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, we talk to three recipients of this year's VSAE Award of Excellence. Join us for a conversation with Ray Mattes, CAE, president and CEO of the Retail Alliance; Phyllis Errico, CAE, General Counsel to the Virginia Association of Counties; and Jamie Mitchell with the Virginia Beach CVB. Each of these guests have a lot to say about their career journeys, leadership insights, and the sense of community that VSAE brings.

In this episode, we talk to Christina Lewellen, MBA, CAE, executive director of the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools. Join us for a conversation about Christina's journey through the association space from content creator to executive director, her passions and challenges, and some inspiring advice for emerging leaders. 

Show notes

Christina is a seasoned association executive who has served industries ranging from window manufacturers to court reporters to proposal writers. She brings a data-driven framework to business planning and strategy, having earned her MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives. She was named the Executive Director of ATLIS in 2019, and serves in a variety of ways as an advocate for independent schools and their leadership teams. She and her family live in Virginia and tweets at @christinaATLIS. 

This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, we talk to Rear Admiral Cari Thomas, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. Join us for an engaging conversation wrapped around Cari's personal journey in the military and how it prepared her for the association space, her passion about volunteerism, her leadership advice, and why family is so important to her. 

Show notes

Full transcript here: https://bit.ly/3s9pjmA

Rear Admiral Cari Thomas is pleased to serve as the Chief Executive Officer, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.  Since 1924, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) has provided more than $220 million in financial assistance.  

With a career of service to the United States in both public and private capacities, she also served as the Executive Director the Navy League of the United States, on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Military Services, and on the Board, Navy Mutual Aid Association.  Throughout her life, Mrs. Thomas volunteered for different organizations that help the disadvantaged, veterans, or animals.

Mrs. Thomas served her nation as a career Coast Guardsman for over 32 years as a commissioned officer.  During her career, she commanded units both at sea and ashore.  Rear Admiral Thomas also worked in marketing, financial management, personnel, constituency services and disaster management.  She was named a United States International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ambassador in 2015.

Rear Admiral Thomas has advanced degrees from the Coast Guard Academy, Troy University, and the Naval War College. In 2017, Mrs. Thomas earned a Non-Profit Executive Management Certificate from Georgetown University.  She became a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 2021. 

Cari Thomas’ personal awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Department of Defense Exceptional Public Service Medal, the Department of State Superior Honor Award, and various other personal, unit and campaign awards. She has been married for over 36 years and has an adult daughter and son-in-law.  

Cari welcomes your email. Feel free to email her at [email protected].

This podcast is produced by Association Briefings

In our inaugural episode, we talk to Steven Williams, CAE, association veteran and current president of the Virginia Society of Association Executives. Join us for an engaging conversation wrapped around Steven's career journey in the association space, his passions, his leadership advice, and a few interesting nuggets about Virginia life. 

Show notes

Full transcript here: https://bit.ly/3CPp6f7

Steven Williams, CAE has over 20 years of experience in association management. He has served in many capacities including marketing, public relations, member service, and event planning. Steven is also experienced in project management, graphic design, website development, contract negotiation, and publishing and circulation. In 2022, Steven was named president of the Virginia Society of Association Executives—the association for association professionals. He holds the Certified Association Executive designation and attended Bluefield College where he became interested in communications after interviewing Iran-Contra figure Oliver North for the school paper. Steven is a native of Virginia and is married with two children.

This podcast is produced by Association Briefings

The Virginia Society of Association Executives presents the all-new VSAE ConneXions – an original podcast series focused on the interconnectivity of Virginia’s association community. Join our hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada as they engage in conversations with VSAE members about life, work, and the communities they serve.