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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.
161 Episodes
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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...
Send us a text Fresh off the heels of ASAE's 2025 MMC+Tech Conference in Washington, D.C., Elisa is back with stories, insights, and a few spicy takes. From packed-out sessions on member behaviour (shout out to Rachel Mace) to memorable conference elements and delicious macarons. Elisa and Andrew dive into what resonated—and what didn't. Is AI really a hot topic anymore or just the “now normal”? Did we get enough of the original M and M? Elisa shares her first-timer impressions of MMC+Tech, o...
Send us a text In this energizing episode of Association Transformation, we welcome Rachel Mace, Director of Customer Experience at Association Analytics—and just four houses down the street! From her upcoming solo session at ASAE’s MMC Conference to her bold take on how associations misuse surveys, Rachel brings a fresh and practical perspective on engaging members through their actions, not just their answers. Discover why “You Asked, We Listened” should be more than a tagline, how communit...
Send us a text In this candid conversation, hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain challenge the relentless pursuit of new ideas and constant change in association management. They explore how organizations often chase innovative strategies without implementing existing solutions, leading to instability rather than growth. The hosts propose that in today's turbulent environment, associations might benefit more from stability and consolidation than continuous transformation. They advocate fo...
Send us a text It's more than just a month! Elisa and Andrew discuss moving beyond traditional volunteer appreciation to sustainable volunteer management. In this episode of Association Transformation, they explore the unique challenges of membership organizations' reliance on volunteers, introducing a three-part approach: elevating volunteers as experts, celebrating their contributions, and providing meaningful rewards. They critique the "pay to volunteer" mindset while advocating for micro-...
Send us a text What happens when the person at the head of the table doesn’t feel like they belong there? In this episode of Association Transformation, we welcome back Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation, for a candid conversation about imposter syndrome at the highest levels of leadership. From “faking it” in boardrooms to building confidence through curiosity, Simon shares real stories, lessons learned, and why vulnerability might just be a leader’s greatest stre...
Send us a text In this revolutionary episode, host Elisa Pratt uncovers how Nicole Crabtree orchestrates UST's impressive educational ecosystem. Nicole reveals the project management magic behind delivering 200 free events annually, explaining how Asana automation eliminates decision fatigue and maintains consistency. Listeners will learn why panel discussions featuring association professionals create the most engagement, how strategic interaction is "baked in" to virtual formats, and why We...
Send us a text What does effective, humble and self-aware leadership look like? Join hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain as they welcome Ellen Daniels, CEO of the British Compressed Gases Association and 2025 WiTA Powerlist honoree. Ellen, who became CEO at just 29, shares candid insights on creating a leadership culture built on humility and self-awareness. From making confident decisions under pressure to fostering open feedback, she discusses how authentic leadership transforms organi...
Send us a text Stop hiding your AI usage "under the desk" and learn practical implementation strategies that won't sacrifice authentic member connections. Andrew and Elisa are joined by Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z. who shares how to identify your existing AI power users, organize an effective "AI Day" for your team, and navigate the flood of new tools without getting overwhelmed. Whether you're struggling with AI policies or wondering which chatbot features actually deliver value, this Ass...
Send us a text Just released! In Episode 135 of Association Transformation, hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain sit down with Carter Lyons from LeadingAge Virginia for a refreshingly honest conversation about what we're getting wrong in member engagement. More than "40 under 40" lists and special young professional groups, Carter challenges us to see members as individuals first, not by any one demographic they fall into. Drawing from her experience in aging services, she offers a compel...
Send us a text In this candid conversation sparked by a governance-related nightmare, Elisa and Andrew dive into the challenges of board confidentiality and organizational culture. From unpacking the true meaning of the Chatham House rule to exploring why board members might "play nice" in meetings but undermine decisions behind the scenes, this episode offers crucial insights for association leaders. Join them as they discuss the delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality, the...
Send us a text Join Andrew and Elisa as they explore how associations can harness the power of industry research to drive member value and organizational growth. Analyzing the latest industry reports, they highlight opportunities for associations to differentiate themselves through quality data analytics. The conversation provides practical insights on investing in market research, understanding member needs, and building sustainable revenue streams through thought leadership. Whether you're ...
Send us a text This week we welcome back Gordon Glenister, CEO of Membership World, reflecting on the outcomes of their recent AI Hackathon. AI is rapidly evolving, as is its potential for how we maximise its use in association management, and whilst the opportunities are seemingly limitless, there are definitely many lessons to learn from the immersive experience of the Hackathon, including the comparative performance of the various tools, their varying levels of maturity, the increasing sig...
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