Podcast

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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Read more about the article Leading Through Regulatory Change: ACRP’s Blueprint for Trust and Education

Leading Through Regulatory Change: ACRP’s Blueprint for Trust and Education

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Lisa Townsend, Director of Marketing & Communications at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), to unpack what it looks like when an association doesn’t just react to industry change—but leads through it. As the global clinical research industry prepared for significant updates to the ICH E6 guidelines, ACRP recognized the moment for what it was: not just a regulatory update, but a critical inflection point for education, trust, and leadership. Lisa shares how her team transformed that complexity into a coordinated, member-driven communications and learning ecosystem—earning an Association Insights CommImpact Award and empowering tens of thousands of professionals worldwide. Whether your association is navigating regulatory change, industry disruption, or shifting member expectations, this episode offers practical insights on how communications, collaboration, and agility can turn uncertainty into leadership.

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Read more about the article Future-Proofing Marketing: What Associations Need to Know Now

Future-Proofing Marketing: What Associations Need to Know Now

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Jen O’Brien, Director of Research and Innovation at the American Marketing Association (AMA), to unpack the newly released Future Trends in Marketing Report—and what it means for association marketers navigating rapid change. With AI reshaping how work gets done, how audiences discover brands, and how trust is built, this conversation moves beyond hype to focus on practical, long-term implications. Jen shares how AMA approached foresight-driven research, why a 5–10 year lens matters right now, and how associations can better support professionals through disruption, skill shifts, and evolving career paths. Whether you lead marketing, communications, membership, or strategy, this episode offers clear insight into what’s changing—and how associations can stay relevant, trusted, and future-ready.

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Read more about the article Marketing Fundamentals That Still Matter: Trust, Touchpoints, and What Associations Should Focus on for 2026

Marketing Fundamentals That Still Matter: Trust, Touchpoints, and What Associations Should Focus on for 2026

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Katy Doss, Founder & CEO of Script Marketing, for a practical conversation on the marketing basics associations can’t afford to skip—especially as attention gets harder to earn and teams are stretched thin. While Katy’s work centers on marketing for outdoor service businesses, her approach translates directly to association challenges: building trust, staying visible without overdoing it, and creating consistent member engagement that actually drives action. If you’re a marketing team of one (or close to it), trying to prioritize channels, improve credibility, or plan smarter for 2026, this episode is full of grounded insight.

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