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 w...
Jul 10, 2025•33 min•Ep. 147
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 prog...
Jul 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 146
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 strategi...
Jun 26, 2025•31 min•Ep. 145
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 o...
Jun 19, 2025•28 min•Ep. 144
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....
Jun 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 143
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, particular...
Jun 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 142
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 La...
May 29, 2025•35 min•Ep. 141
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) commu...
May 22, 2025•28 min•Ep. 140
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 fir...
May 15, 2025•35 min•Ep. 139
What happens when your members are some of the world’s most powerful data-driven companies, and they rely on you to protect their interests, guide policy, and create best practices across vastly different industries? How do you unite and serve these members while remaining agile in a fast-changing digital landscape? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Chris Mohr, President of the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA). Chris discusses: How SIIA rep...
May 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 138
Are associations doing enough to take care of their chief staff executives? What happens to an organization when its leader is burned out? In this special episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda sat down with Lindsay Currie, Adam Levy, and Tara Puckey, the association leaders behind the Sustaining Mental and Physical Health as a Chief Staff Exec survey. They discuss: Why they created a mental and physical health survey for association chief staff executives (CSEs). The stark gap betwe...
May 01, 2025•58 min•Ep. 137
How can a simple giveaway at a trade show create lasting emotional impact and brand loyalty? In an age where digital impressions dominate, can a physical product still create a meaningful connection? In such an environment, how can associations help members understand and elevate the true power and value of their work? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Drew Holmgreen, President and CEO of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Drew discusses: T...
Apr 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 136
How do you create gathering spaces that feel welcoming, engaging, and deeply aligned with your organization’s mission? In a time of rapid change, how can associations foster innovation and maintain their relevance for diverse and evolving member needs? And how do you rebrand a brand that is steeped in history and tradition? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Debra Wilson, President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Debra discusses: The ...
Apr 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 135
What if a medical specialty society could drive groundbreaking research, fuel a global movement, and train the next generation of clinical investigators—all while tripling its membership in just five years? In a world of rapidly evolving cancer care, how can associations champion new modalities and build a community around transformative treatment approaches? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Jena Stack, Executive Director of the Society of Interventional Onco...
Apr 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 134
What does the future of live event venues look like in an era of rapid change and evolving audience expectations? How can associations help their members navigate a shifting events landscape? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Trevor Mitchell, President and CEO of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). Trevor discusses: How IAVM represents over 8,000 professionals worldwide who manage venues such as arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, co...
Apr 03, 2025•37 min•Ep. 133
What happens to your trash and recycling after it leaves the curb? How can associations rebuild trust with members, sponsors, and stakeholders? And what does it take to launch a brand-new conference? In this episode of Associations Thrive , host Joanna Pineda interviews Amy Lestition Burke, CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Amy discusses: SWANA’s mission to advance from waste management to resource management and how the organization represents municipalities, private ...
Mar 27, 2025•40 min•Ep. 132
What does it take to become a homebrewer? Is it complicated, expensive, or time-consuming? How can an association thrive by making a bold move towards independence? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Julia Herz, Executive Director of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). Julia discusses: How the American Homebrewers Association has been representing homebrewers since 1978 and played a crucial role in birthing the craft beer movement. The association’s mem...
Mar 20, 2025•24 min•Ep. 131
What does it take to lead an association that represents thousands of architects in one of the largest economies in the world? How do you balance tradition with innovation in an industry that values tradition and longstanding practices? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Jennifer Briggs, EVP & CEO, of the Texas Society of Architects (TxA). Jennifer discusses: How TxA represents 8,000 architects across Texas, making it the third-largest component of the Amer...
Mar 13, 2025•32 min•Ep. 130
How do we ensure that healthcare is accessible, effective, efficient, and affordable for all? How can a professional society shape global health policy while advancing scientific research? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Rob Abbott, CEO of ISPOR. Rob discusses: ISPOR’s role as the professional society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), with a global reach spanning over 100 countries and 20,000 members. How ISPOR is a multi-stakeholder society...
Mar 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 129
What role do state archives play in preserving history, ensuring government accountability, and providing vital records for the public? How can an association shift from an exclusive membership model to an inclusive, trade-based organization? In this episode of Associations Thrive , host Joanna Pineda interviews Joy Banks, Executive Director of the Council of State Archivists (CoSA). Joy discusses: What CoSA is and how it supports state and territorial government archives across the country. The...
Feb 27, 2025•30 min•Ep. 128
How does a community health center support its patients beyond medical care? In times of crisis, communities rely on trusted institutions to provide essential services. But how can an association or nonprofit ensure they are prepared to meet the vast and varied needs of their members? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Eloisa Perard, President and CEO of Gracelight Community Health. Eloisa discusses: How Gracelight is a federally qualified community health cent...
Feb 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 127
How can we ensure that behavioral health is fully integrated into overall healthcare? How can associations lead the way in advocating for better mental health and substance use disorder policies? In this episode of Associations Thrive , host Joanna Pineda interviews Debbie Witchey, CEO of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW). Debbie discusses: How ABHW represents health plans that provide behavioral health and substance use disorder benefits to over 200 million Americans. Th...
Feb 13, 2025•26 min•Ep. 126
How does an industry association create a tradeshow that transforms the industry? What does it take to balance the needs of large corporations and small family businesses within the same membership? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Larry Graham, former president of the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Larry discusses: How NCA represents about 500 candy companies, as well as brokers, machinery companies, and ingredient suppliers. The association’s his...
Feb 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 125
International conferences are back and they’re bigger and better than ever! What do conferences and tradeshows of the future look like? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Sven Bossu, CEO, of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC). Sven discusses: How AIPC represents 200 convention centers across 60 countries. AIPC’s membership growth in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, which is driven by economic expansion and changing market dynamics. Sve...
Jan 23, 2025•37 min•Ep. 124
The food service industry offers unparalleled opportunities for people looking for a creative, hands on career that doesn’t necessarily require a college degree. Learn how one nonprofit is promoting careers in food service through vocational training AND helping to address workforce shortages in the field. In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Catherine De Orio, Executive Director of the Foundation for Culinary Arts (F4CA). Catherine discusses: Her journey, transi...
Jan 16, 2025•33 min•Ep. 123
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...
Jan 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 122
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 ind...
Jan 02, 2025•24 min•Ep. 121
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 Fe...
Dec 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 120
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 th...
Dec 12, 2024•59 min•Ep. 119
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 ...
Dec 05, 2024•26 min•Ep. 118
