Associations Thrive

How do you help an industry innovate at breakneck speed while ensuring consumer protection, trust, and regulatory compliance? And what role should an association play in bringing competitors, regulators, and innovators together to shape the future of an emerging industry?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council (AFC). Phil discusses:How AFC has grown from roughly 25 members to more than 175 members and partners, while maintaining a retention rate above 95%.Why AFC intentionally brings fintech companies and banks together under one roof, creating collaboration rather than competition.How AFC differentiates itself as a standards-based organization that embraces regulation, compliance, and consumer protection.Phil’s career journey from public service, including roles with Chuck Schumer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the New York State Legislature, to banking and association leadership.How Hurricane Sandy exposed the need for innovation in insurance and financial services and helped shape Phil’s professional path.Why Phil believes association leadership is remarkably similar to elected office: both are fundamentally about service, engagement, and impact.How AFC creates “safe spaces” where member CEOs can openly discuss challenges, best practices, and emerging business models.AFC’s advocacy efforts to educate policymakers and regulators on fintech innovations such as Buy Now, Pay Later and Earned Wage Access programs.How AFC’s annual summit maintains an intimate, collaborative atmosphere even as attendance has grown dramatically.References:AFC Website

What if your association's most effective membership recruiters aren't staff at all, but your members themselves?In an era where association professionals have countless options for education, networking, and professional development, how can associations create such a strong sense of belonging that members actively recruit, welcome, and mentor new participants?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews David Walsh, Executive Director of the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE). David discusses:How VSAE serves more than 450 association professionals and industry partners across Virginia, providing education, leadership development, networking, and peer exchange opportunities.How VSAE is expanding its reach throughout Virginia, including launching the Northern Virginia Association Exchange to better serve professionals in the state's largest association market.David's unique association journey, influenced by his mother’s 40-year association career and his progression through membership, marketing, advocacy, and executive leadership roles.How VSAE's annual conference attracted more than 200 registrants and over 50 first-time attendees, the strongest attendance numbers in more than a decade.How volunteer leaders personally reach out to prospective members and conference attendees, creating authentic peer-to-peer invitations rather than relying solely on marketing campaigns.How VSAE's membership committee serves as mentors and ambassadors, ensuring first-time attendees feel welcomed and connected from the moment they arrive.VSAE’s Learning Pathways that help members identify educational content aligned with their career stage, role, and professional goals.How VSAE's Northern Virginia programming combines education, peer exchange, and community-building to create meaningful opportunities for association professionals to learn from one another.References:VSAE WebsiteNorthern Virginia Association Exchange

What happens when young people never see anyone who looks like them in the careers they dream about pursuing? And how can associations, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations help members build stronger, earlier, and more inclusive talent pipelines in response?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Celeste Warren, Founder of Destination STEM, Inc. Celeste discusses:How Destination STEM provides resources, educational awareness events, mentoring, tutoring, and scholarships to students of color and students in need who want to pursue STEM-related degrees and careers.Why representation matters so much, especially for middle school and high school students who are just beginning to imagine what their futures could look like.How Destination STEM uses college students and young professionals as virtual mentors for younger students, creating relatable role models who feel accessible and real.Why Celeste believes STEM pipeline work must start early, long before employers begin looking for talent in the current labor market.How Destination STEM’s family founding story, with Celeste, her daughter, and her son building the organization together, has become part of its unique appeal and authenticity.How the organization is doubling its scholarships and using its annual awards and recognition banquet as both a celebration and a major fundraising vehicle.Celeste’s big vision for Destination STEM: larger-scale conferences, stronger guidance for students, and a bigger role in building the future STEM workforce.References:Destination STEM Website

What happens when a fintech leader decides that serving the association community means doing far more than processing payments? And in an environment where associations are under pressure to deliver more value with limited resources, how can they create learning and connections that truly help members thrive?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Wade Tetsuka, President of U.S. Transactions Corporation (UST) and UST Education. Wade discusses:How UST helps associations accept credit card and ACH payments through AMS, LMS, and event platforms, while also helping reduce fees and improve service.Why payment processing becomes an especially important decision point when associations are changing AMS platforms.How UST Education began as simple peer-to-peer lunch roundtables for association IT directors and grew into a major educational platform.How the pandemic accelerated UST Education’s virtual programming and enabled it to serve association professionals across the country.Why Wade believes companies should connect with the communities they serve in a more meaningful way, and how education became that “sweet spot” for him.Why education is the common thread across Wade’s work, board service, and leadership philosophy, and why he sees it as “the great equalizer in society.”What the AANHPI association community means to Wade, and why representation and visibility matter for future Asian American leaders.References:UST Website

What does it look like when an organization does more than represent workers and actually builds a community, a career pathway, and a better life? And how can associations help members thrive when workforce shortages, family pressures, and mental health challenges are all converging at once?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Michael Coleman, General President of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART). Mike discusses:How SMART represents more than 230,000 sheet metal, rail, transit, and transportation workers across the United States and Canada.How SMART’s culture of mentorship helps members grow professionally and personally, with experienced members guiding apprentices and newer workers.Mike’s own journey from “floundering” young worker to apprentice, supervisor, local leader, international executive, and ultimately General President.Why apprenticeship is such a powerful model: members earn while they learn, build real skills, gain certifications, and avoid student debt.How SMART is growing membership by widening the recruiting pipeline and reaching veterans, underrepresented communities, and women.How programs like Helmets to Hard Hats and SMART Heroes help service members transition into rewarding union careers.How SMART is making the trades more accessible by addressing real-life barriers, including offering childcare stipends and paid maternity leave.How SMART advocates on issues that go beyond union priorities and affect the public at large, including indoor air quality, fire life safety systems, and safer schools and buildings.How the merger with the transportation union expanded SMART’s reach, while fairness, dignity, safety, and good middle-class jobs remain the values that unite all members.References:SMART Union Website

What happens when corporate citizenship is no longer a “nice to have,” but a business imperative under scrutiny? And how can associations help members prove value when the environment turns uncertain?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Andrea Wood, President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP). Andrea discusses:How ACCP serves professionals responsible for corporate social responsibility (CSR), social impact (CSI), and ESG efforts, acting as liaisons between businesses and communities.The critical importance of making the business case, linking CSR to employee recruitment, retention, morale, reputation, and financial performance.How younger workforce expectations are accelerating demand for meaningful corporate community engagement.Why the most effective CSR strategies embrace a shared value approach, simultaneously benefiting the business and the community.How ACCP supports members with practical, ready-to-use toolkits and resources so small teams don’t have to “start from scratch.”ACCP’s evolving engagement strategy: virtual summits, sold-out in-person conferences, regional meetups, and targeted programming for career stages.How ACCP is helping members navigate political and economic scrutiny by doubling down on data, research, and clear communication of impact.The role of associations as extensions of staff for under-resourced members who need insights, benchmarking, and peer support.Andrea’s leadership approach: listening deeply, staying informed on external trends, and rapidly adapting programming to meet the moment.References:ACCP WebsiteMaking The Case

How do you rebuild an association when you inherit the top job, lose key staff almost immediately, and have to figure everything out in real time? And in a relationship-driven industry like commercial construction, how can an association help members strengthen connections, prove value, and grow even when the staff team is tiny?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Gwyn Donohue, CAE, Executive Director of the American Subcontractors Association Metro Washington (ASAMW). Gwyn discusses:How ASAMW represents subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, serving as the “moving parts” behind commercial construction projects.How Gwyn came into her first chief staff executive role in July 2025 and quickly found herself running the organization with almost no transition playbook when a longtime staff member left just five weeks into her job.How ASAMW relied on highly engaged members and committee chairs to preserve institutional knowledge and keep major programs moving.How Gwyn and the team pulled off the organization’s marquee event, the Subby Awards Gala, a 450-person event with a complex awards program and voting processHow Gwyn modernized ASAMW’s tech operations.How ASAMW is growing membership by leaning into LinkedIn, increasing visibility, promoting sponsor recognition, and meeting the construction community where it already is online.Why Gwyn made governance a priority.What 2026 looks like for ASAMW.References:ASAMW Website62nd Annual Subby Awards Gala

What does it take for a 100-year-old, campus-based organization to stay relevant in a world of virtual chapters, AI search tools, and shrinking higher education enrollments?And in an era of time poverty, information overload, and eroding trust, how can associations help young leaders not only serve—but truly thrive?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Bob London, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of Alpha Phi Omega (APO). Bob discusses:How APO develops leadership skills through service on nearly 300 campuses, measuring long-term success by how alumni improve their communities after graduation.Why APO focuses exclusively on leadership, fellowship, and service, and how its partnership model with universities differentiates it from other campus organizations.How APO has endured for 100 years by attracting students who are committed to improving their communities, regardless of political or cultural turbulence.The bold decision to remove “campus-based” from APO’s vision statement, and what that means for the future of the organization.Why time is APO’s biggest barrier to membership, and how the organization helps students manage “time poverty.”How Bob fosters a culture of calendar control and focused work within his staff, encouraging everyone yo protect their “golden hours.”APO’s successful $6.5 million capital campaign, combining cash and planned giving to secure the next 100 years while keeping student membership costs to just $85 for a lifetime.Why foresight thinking is now embedded in APO’s board culture, and how scenario exercises and agenda restructuring have shifted the board’s focus toward long-term plausible futures.The signals Bob is watching closely: disruption in higher education and the explosion of information overload.References:APO WebsiteMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/quiet-flightLicense code: KJRRI6GHC7WKCLDT

What happens when you gather four leaders representing distinct, identity-based association communities? You get a bold conversation about visibility, representation, and creating spaces where people feel they truly belong.In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda sat down with four Association Community Group leaders:Rebecca Achurch, Chair of Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)Kelli Baxter, Vice President of Black Association Executives (BAE)Carlos Cardenas, President of Association LatinosDiana Lee Tucker, Chair of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Association Community They discuss:How each of their organizations was formed out of a need for community and visibility.The power of representation and why identity-specific mentoring matters.Why cultural proximity helps build confidence and unlock leadership potential.Their commitment to allyship and how they've collaborated across groups.The importance of welcoming allies into their communities to foster inclusion.Innovative programs, like peer mentoring and CAE funding, that uplift emerging leaders.Challenges around growth and sustaining energy as founders transition out of leadership.The importance of financial sustainability and succession planning for long-term impact.Their hopes to inspire association CEOs to create similar communities within their industries.Why now is not the time to back away from DEI-focused spaces, despite current headwinds.References:AWTC WebsiteBAE WebsiteAssociation Latinos WebsiteAANHPI Association Community Page

In this special episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda is joined by colleagues from Matrix Group International, Inc.: Dave Hoernig, Vice President of Software Engineering, Jessica Parsley, Director of Project Management, and Alex Pineda, Creative Director. They look back on the trends they’re seeing in the association space. They discuss:How AI dominated 2025, with associations investing heavily in staff training, internal policies, and custom GPTs to boost content production and streamline workflows.The AI tools that helped Matrix Group clients modernize outdated content by converting PDFs to HTML, summarizing large documents, and creating metadata and schema for better discoverability.Why associations wrestled with how much previously gated content to expose for AI indexing, balancing member-only value with public visibility and relevance in AI search results.“About the Industry” storytelling sections of a website becoming a trend, with associations crafting narratives to spotlight the importance of their fields not just to members, but to the public and policymakers.How clients faced tighter budgets in 2025, making incremental updates and data-driven decisions more important than ever.The notable rise of multimedia content, with podcasts and audio read-alouds replacing and supplementing long-form text to meet member preferences and improve accessibility.How personalization is becoming easier with AI and how associations can now deliver customized recommendations for members, modeled after platforms like Netflix or Duolingo.How AI is revolutionizing design and development, with tools that boost creativity, accelerate prototyping, and reduce tedious manual work.How mobile-first and voice-enabled experiences are expected to surge, especially as younger members rely more on phones and smart speakers for web interaction.References:Matrix Group WebsiteSee how TFI tells the story of the industry.We made a few tweaks to the ALDA website in advance of a larger redesign in the future.

How can hospitals in rural and underserved communities innovate, stay open, and thrive amid financial pressures and changing healthcare demands? And how can associations serve as the glue that binds competitors together for a common purpose?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Richard Roberson, President and CEO of the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA). Richard discusses:MHA’s nearly 100-year history of serving a diverse mix of public, private, religious, and rural hospitals across Mississippi.How MHA helps connect members to collaborate on shared challenges.MHA’s powerful advocacy work at the state and federal levels to support hospitals and ensure they are heard by legislators and agency leaders.The launch and impact of IntelliTrue, a health information exchange platform that improves care coordination, reduces readmissions, and helps avoid unnecessary healthcare costs.How IntelliTrue connects hospitals, physicians, FQHCs, insurers, and mental health centers, providing clinical data that enables better patient care.The innovation behind TrueCare, a provider-owned Medicaid health plan formed by MHA members to improve care and reduce friction between hospitals and payers.How TrueCare is governed by a consortium of large and small hospitals and currently serves 100,000 Medicaid recipients.The power of storytelling and how MHA collects stories through affinity groups, hospital visits, and direct community engagement to humanize healthcare policy.Mississippi’s distinction of having the lowest hospital costs in the country: a positive for patients but a challenge for hospital sustainability.Richard’s vision for the next five years: improved patient outcomes through reduced ER visits and better coordination between providers, supported by a stable policy and payment environment.References:MHA WebsiteIntelliTrueTrueCare Website

How can your association foster inclusive, empowering spaces that go beyond professional development to create real human connections?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda sat down with three Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC) leaders:Rebecca Achurch, CEO of Achurch Consulting and Secretary-Treasurer, Founder and Incoming Chair of AWTCGretchen Steenstra, Director of Client Strategy at DelCor Technology Solutions and Past Chair and Founder of AWTCJill Treby, Director of Membership at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and Chair of AWTCThey discuss:The founding and 5-year growth of AWTC as a community for women passionate about technology and leadership in associations.Why “champions” is a verb in AWTC’s name and what it means to be one.The evolution of AWTC’s signature event, Advance, and how it blends networking, learning, and personal development.How the Situation Room format during Advance fosters fast, impactful problem-solving through diverse perspectives.AWTC’s unique, inclusive membership model: free to join, with optional donations, and no barriers to entry.A growing recognition and awards program that celebrates women doing excellent work at all levels, not just lifetime achievers.AWTC’s commitment to access and belonging, including scholarship rates and no-cost virtual programs.The critical role of male allies and volunteers in supporting AWTC’s mission.How local groups (like in Chicago and Denver) are forming organically, expanding AWTC’s reach.Their excitement for 2026: expanded programming, deeper engagement, and a sustainable model that empowers volunteers to lead.References:AWTC WebsiteAWTC on LinkedInAWTC Advance 2025

What happens when schools don’t have enough psychologists to meet student needs? And how can associations help their members thrive in such an environment?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Eric Rossen, Executive Director of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Eric discusses:How NASP represents over 24,000 school psychologists across the U.S., many of whom serve multiple schools due to a national shortage.The difference between school psychologists and school counselors, and why having both creates “force multipliers” for student success.NASP’s advocacy work around federal funding, including the fight to restore grant money that was being used to address workforce shortages.How NASP is addressing the mental health of its members, who often work in isolated environments, under high stress.Eric’s leadership journey from school psychologist to association executive, and how earning his CAE signaled a full embrace of his role as an association professional.His leadership style shift, from “doing” to empowering, and how he intentionally built trust when stepping into the Executive Director role.Why National School Psychology Week is more than recognition of school psychologists: it’s a tool for public awareness and appreciation of a critical profession.NASP’s upcoming 2026 convention in Chicago, expected to be its largest ever, with Dr. Miguel Cardona as the keynote speaker.How NASP is making its convention more expansive and impactful by welcoming affiliated organizations to host events under its umbrella, creating a “bigger tent” for school psychology.References:NASP WebsiteNASP Annual Convention