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Welcome to Association Transformation, a transatlantic conversation advancing the impact and evolution of non-profit organizations. We're always seeking diversity of thought and new examples of innovation in action. That and a commitment to mission driven organizations spurred this collaboration between the teams at Brewer Pratt Solutions and Elevated. Together with our special guests, each episode we take a deep dive into the issues, topics, challenges and opportunities facing the association community. Between us we’ve been there, done it, got the t-shirt: membership, mergers, boards and leadership, advocacy, and education - nothing is off limits. Any subject that effects non-profits, their survival or their success is up for discussion.
173 Episodes
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Send us a text Susan Avery, CAE, CEO of the Performance Plastics Association, joins us to expose why trade associations have become the "forgotten format" in association management. With 28 years spanning both sides of the association world, Susan reveals critical differences between serving companies versus individuals that most "best practices" completely miss. We discuss how the trade association CEO role has shifted from mission-driven to entrepreneurial, why governance models that work f...
Send us a text What happens when seasoned industry leaders become first-time association CEOs? In this episode, we sit down with Sandy Moore (Pet Advocacy Network) and Melissa Loner (National Society of Compliance Professionals), two executives who’ve made the bold leap from the private sector into nonprofit leadership. From boardroom dynamics to member engagement, advocacy strategy to financial stewardship, they unpack the challenges, surprises, and superpowers that come from leading an asso...
Send us a text Trust is under attack; from misinformation, disinformation, and even unchecked AI “truths.” In this powerful new episode of Association Transformation, Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain revisit their white paper Restoring Trust in Expertise and discuss how associations can become the custodians of credibility that our fractured world needs. With ASAE’s new Trust in Associations campaign making headlines, the duo explores what it means to practice radical transparency, ver...
Send us a text What if you could build an association from scratch? No inherited bylaws, no legacy structures, no forever committees, just purpose and potential. In this episode, Elisa and Andrew welcome Matt Ott, Executive Director of the Outsourced Professionals Association, to explore what it means to create a new kind of membership organization for a changing world of work. From fractional executives and freelancers to advocacy for independent professionals, the conversation dives into me...
Send us a text Dying for Relevance, Zombie Members, Toxic Boards & Other Association Nightmares From members who vanish into thin air, to boards behaving monstrously, to the creeping dread of dying for relevance, this year’s fright fest uncovers the real terrors haunting associations. 👻🧟♀️ Whether it’s zombie members shuffling along, toxic leaders spreading their curse, or the sector itself gasping for life, the horrors are all too real. Tune in if you dare as Association Transforma...
Send us a text What really drives leadership decisions? Data, ethics, or a good hard look in the mirror? 🤔 In our latest episode, we dive into the Institute of Leadership’s new Leading into the Future report and wrestle with change fatigue, the “talent tightrope,” and whether “business as usual” is really dead (spoiler: it’s not. We still need to keep the lights on💡). We even debate the perils of “keeping up with the tech Joneses” and forced innovation burnout. Plenty of laughs, a few eye-rol...
Send us a text In Episode 157 of Association Transformation, co-hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain tackle one of the most uncomfortable, but increasingly urgent, realities in association life: the mistreatment of volunteers and staff by volunteers, board members, and even peers. From midnight phone calls and casual abuse to gossip, blurred boundaries, and outright boardroom bullying, this candid conversation unpacks why such behavior persists and what leaders can do about it. With pract...
Send us a text Is your digital content reaching everyone? In Episode 156 of Association Transformation, Elisa Pratt goes solo to tackle a vital and often overlooked conversation on digital accessibility and ADA Section 508 compliance, with special guests Elisa Cohen and Prudhvi Mandava of Schatz Strategy Group. Together, we unpack how compliance is more than a legal requirement but a strategic advantage for associations and nonprofits. From avoiding common digital barriers to embedding inclus...
Send us a text In Episode 155 of Association Transformation, co-hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain welcome Mark Athitakis, Contributing Editor at Associations Now, the flagship digital publication of ASAE. Mark pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the stories, sharing: ✅ How he translates complex topics like governance, membership, technology, and events into accessible insights for association leaders ✅ The tension between print versus digital and what associations risk losing ...
Send us a text Join us for Episode 154 of Association Transformation, where co-hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain sit down with Beth Eagle, Chief Finance & Operations Officer at the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), to unpack what it really takes to juggle CFO and COO responsibilities in today’s association landscape. Beth shares candid insights on: ✅ Balancing financial stewardship with operational strategy ✅ Revenue diversification beyond dues—including trade shows and acquisi...
Send us a text Recorded live from their Autumn 2025 leadership retreat, Elisa and Andrew tackle a big question: are membership dues dead? They unpack the flaws of the annual renewal model, the pull of subscription-style approaches, and the tension between value, belonging, and revenue. In the context of declining memberships and contemporary economic realities, they argue for bold scenario planning toward 2030 and beyond, plus share plans for a new white paper and even a “fake association” ca...
Send us a text In this special episode of Association Transformation, Andrew and Elisa reflect on their very first Governance as Leadership Retreat. Over two days, CEOs, board chairs, and senior leaders came together to dig deep into the realities of governance: the horror stories, the successes, and the uncomfortable truths about what really drives board performance. We unpack the recurring themes: why relationships matter more than structures, how ego undermines purpose, the challenge of ac...
Send us a text Welcome back!! In this episode Elisa and Andrew sit down with guest Jane Zaretskie, CAE to unpack the essential strategies behind real, lasting membership growth. Forget the flashy trends, Jane takes us back to the foundations of recruitment and retention with practical insights from her award-winning work and recent transition to an AMC environment. From simplifying the join process to prioritizing data integrity and real value for all (not just new) members, we explore what t...
Send us a text 🎉 150 episodes and still surviving! In our milestone episode, Surviving Nonprofits, we’re joined by Survivor winner and nonprofit leader Ethan Zohn to talk scaling global impact, building better boards, and leading through challenge and change. From grassroots to governance, this episode brings the best of what Association Transformation has delivered for 150 episodes: real talk, tough questions, and transformational ideas for association and nonprofit leaders. 🎙️ Tune in, cele...
Send us a text 🎧 The Credibility Crisis: Can Associations Rebuild Trust in a Post-Truth World? 📄 New White Paper Alert: Restoring Trust in Expertise In a world drowning in misinformation, eroding trust, and self-declared "experts," can membership organizations reclaim their role as guardians of truth and professional integrity? In our latest episode of Association Transformation, we unveil our new white paper and explore the historical, societal, and strategic role associations must play to r...
Send us a text Join us for a hot mid-year conversation as we take the temperature on where associations really stand in 2025. We dive into the reality of AI adoption—why the gap is widening between early adopters and everyone else, and how technical discussions are keeping members from getting started with AI basics. We also tackle the mounting pressure on associations to constantly innovate and the artificial narrative that "everyone else is doing amazing things." Plus, we discuss the ongoin...
Send us a text Why do associations struggle with something as fundamental as branding? In this eye-opening episode of Association Transformation, hosts Andrew Chamberlain and Elisa Pratt welcome Tom Silva, Principal of Silver Brand and author of "The Challenge of Association Branding," to unpack the unique obstacles facing membership organizations. From volunteer governance structures that create decision-making bottlenecks to the multi-dimensional member experience that goes far beyond funct...
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when 400+ volunteers spread across 44 committees becomes an organizational nightmare? Our latest Association Transformation episode features Angela Davis, CEO of the Society for Pediatric Radiology, who tackled this exact challenge head-on. Join hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain as they dive into Angela's strategic approach to governance transformation—and why medical associations present unique challenges when it comes to committee restructuri...
Send us a text What if the best leaders aren't born but made? 🤔 Join hosts Andrew Chamberlain and Elisa Pratt as they dive deep with authentic leadership expert Jennifer Jensen, author of "Developing Authentic Leaders." 🔍 Key takeaways: → Why 90% of leaders suppress their "hidden treasures" at work → How to spot invisible leadership potential in your volunteers → The truth about imposter syndrome (spoiler: even experts feel it!) → Moving beyond personality tests to real self-awareness Perfect...
Send us a text Join Andrew and Elisa as they preview the Association Transformation Governance & Leadership Executive Retreat, happening September 3-4, 2025 in Berkshire, UK! After five years of collaboration and extensive consultation with association leaders, they're launching this groundbreaking retreat designed specifically for CEOs, executive directors, and board chairs who want to move beyond reactive crisis management to proactive leadership excellence. This isn't your typical exec...
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