Author: Colleen Gallagher

This author has written 151 articles
Read more about the article Building Stronger Association Teams: Wellbeing, Leadership, and Sustainable Performance

Building Stronger Association Teams: Wellbeing, Leadership, and Sustainable Performance

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Johanna Roodt, Founder, Wellbeing Consultant & Coach, Leladijo Consulting, for a timely conversation on what it really takes to build healthy, high-performing association teams. From burnout and communication breakdowns to leadership habits and practical wellbeing strategies, Johanna brings both lived experience and actionable insight—drawing from her work leading association teams and supporting professionals across high-pressure environments like events. If you’re leading a small but mighty team, navigating constant demands, or thinking about how to better support your staff without adding more complexity, this episode is packed with practical, real-world takeaways.

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Read more about the article Turning Succession Into a Celebration: A People-First Leadership Transition

Turning Succession Into a Celebration: A People-First Leadership Transition

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, sits down with Melissa Loner, MBA, QAS, Chief Executive Officer of the National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP), one of the 2025 Association Insights Comm Impact Award winners. NSCP was recognized for its thoughtful, transparent internal communications strategy during the leadership transition from longtime Executive Director Lisa Crossley to Melissa’s leadership. From early board and member communications to a symbolic passing-of-the-baton moment at the organization’s national conference, the transition reflected what a mission-driven, people-first approach to change can look like. In this conversation, Melissa unpacks what made the transition work, why transparency matters so much in association leadership, and what other organizations can learn from NSCP’s award-winning approach.

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Read more about the article Communications Leadership in Associations: Lessons, Patterns, and What It Takes to Become the Go-To Voice

Communications Leadership in Associations: Lessons, Patterns, and What It Takes to Become the Go-To Voice

In this solocast episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, takes a step back to reflect on the evolving role of communications leadership in associations. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working alongside associations across healthcare, transportation, finance, workforce development, and professional services, Colleen shares the leadership lessons, patterns, and strategies that separate organizations that simply communicate from those that become the trusted voice in their industry. Whether you're leading communications, marketing, advocacy, or membership engagement, this episode offers practical insights on how associations can strengthen trust, shape conversations, and position themselves as go-to sources of expertise.

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Read more about the article Leading Through Transition: Stewardship, Stability, and Global Momentum

Leading Through Transition: Stewardship, Stability, and Global Momentum

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher welcomes back Louise St. Germain, Interim Executive Director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) for a powerful conversation on leadership during transition, global scale, and what it truly takes to maintain stability while building momentum. After more than a decade in senior leadership at the ISTH—and over two decades in global health communications, advocacy, and crisis response—Louise has stepped into the organization’s top leadership role during a pivotal period. With 7,500 members across 120 countries and major milestones ahead—including the 2026 Congress in Paris—she shares what it means to lead with humility, curiosity, and clarity. Whether you’re navigating executive succession, scaling global impact, or supporting teams through change, this episode offers grounded insight for association leaders at every level.

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Read more about the article From Reporter to Resource: What Associations Get Wrong About Media

From Reporter to Resource: What Associations Get Wrong About Media

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with OnWrd & UpWrd’s Account Director, Roger Hughlett, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on media, messaging, and what associations need to understand about today’s newsroom realities. With more than two decades of experience spanning journalism, editorial leadership, association communications, and corporate strategy—including senior roles at CompTIA and the Wireless Infrastructure Association—Roger has seen communications from every angle: reporter, editor, in-house leader, and now agency partner.

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Read more about the article Leading with Credibility, Story, and Scale: How Small Teams Can Take Awareness Global

Leading with Credibility, Story, and Scale: How Small Teams Can Take Awareness Global

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host OnWrd & UpWrd’s Meghan Henning sits down with Amy Leitman, JD, President of NTM Info & Research (NTMir) for a powerful conversation about advocacy, awareness, and what it takes for a small nonprofit to execute a truly global media campaign. Amy shares the deeply personal origin story that shaped her work in rare disease education and support—and how a patient-driven mission can scale into meaningful impact over time. The conversation also digs into the behind-the-scenes strategy of building a breakthrough, fully bilingual media campaign that earned an Association Insights CommImpact Award for Excellence in Media Relations. If you work at an association or nonprofit with a small team, limited budget, and a big mission—this episode is packed with practical insight on how to scale impact without losing credibility or trust.

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Read more about the article Leading With Trust in a Polarized Public Health Moment

Leading With Trust in a Polarized Public Health Moment

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning of OnWrd & UpWrd sits down with Julie Hirschhorn, Manager of Public Relations at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), for a timely conversation on trust, tone, and leadership in healthcare communications. As vaccines have become increasingly politicized, AAFP leaned into its most powerful asset: family physicians as trusted, local voices. Julie unpacks how AAFP’s National Immunization Awareness Month campaign reframed the conversation around vaccines—leading with empathy, evidence, and credibility—while navigating misinformation, fear, and polarization. The campaign earned AAFP an Association Insights CommImpact Award for its bold, compassionate approach. If your association is grappling with polarizing issues, fragile public trust, or high-stakes communications, this episode offers practical insight into how to lead with clarity and purpose.

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