Read more about the article Scaling Impact: How Small Teams Can Build Big Programs

Scaling Impact: How Small Teams Can Build Big Programs

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, recorded on the show floor at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis, O&U’s Meghan Henning sits down with Gail R. Kulp, M.Ed., CAE, Executive Director of the Sea Tow Foundation, to talk about scaling programs, empowering partners and creating meaningful impact with a small team. The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program has grown to more than 1,500 loaner stations nationwide, and Gail shares the systems behind that growth – from making participation easy to using data and reporting to continually strengthen the program.

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Read more about the article Building a Stronger Association: Lessons in Growth, Culture, and Leadership

Building a Stronger Association: Lessons in Growth, Culture, and Leadership

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, to explore what it takes to build sustainable growth in today's association landscape. Since becoming CEO in 2022, Phil has led USA Fencing through significant membership, club, and revenue growth while positioning the organization for the opportunities surrounding the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. But as Phil explains, lasting success isn't built around one marquee moment—it's built through member listening, strong local communities, creative partnerships, and a culture of trust. Whether you're focused on growing membership, diversifying revenue, or strengthening member engagement, this episode is full of practical ideas association leaders can put to work.

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Read more about the article From Data Rich to Insight Driven: Building Smarter Association Strategies

From Data Rich to Insight Driven: Building Smarter Association Strategies

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher welcomes Denny Lengkong, President of IntelliData, back to the podcast to explore one of the biggest challenges facing associations today: turning mountains of data into meaningful decisions. While many organizations have more data than ever before, few are fully leveraging it to drive strategy. Denny shares practical advice on how association leaders can move beyond reporting, ask better questions, prepare their organizations for AI, and build a data culture that supports smarter decision-making—not just more dashboards. Whether you're just beginning your data journey or looking to make AI work more effectively for your organization, this episode offers practical, actionable insights for association leaders at every stage.

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Read more about the article Fighting Misinformation with Trust: How Associations Can Leverage Influencer Marketing

Fighting Misinformation with Trust: How Associations Can Leverage Influencer Marketing

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Candice Warltier, CEO & Founding Partner of CS-Effect, to explore how associations can use trusted voices to combat misinformation, educate new audiences, and strengthen their credibility in an increasingly noisy digital landscape. Drawing from CS-Effect's award-winning work with the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), Candice shares how a strategic influencer campaign helped counter myths about root canals by partnering with respected physicians, pediatricians, and healthcare content creators—not to promote products, but to deliver science-based education people could trust. Whether you're leading communications, marketing, membership, or advocacy, this episode offers practical insights into how associations can thoughtfully incorporate influencer marketing to expand their reach, build trust, and engage the next generation.

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Read more about the article WWPR Panel: How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling

WWPR Panel: How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling

In this special episode of the Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher shares a live panel discussion from Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) on how associations can use strategic storytelling to build trust, strengthen member engagement, and drive organizational results. Joining Colleen are: Courtney Rhodes, Head of News Media Relations, U.S. Travel Association; Jeanne Metzger, Vice President, Membership, Marketing & Analytics, Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA); and Alexandra Bradley, Director of Communications & Marketing, American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). Together, they share practical strategies for helping associations move beyond promoting programs to becoming trusted, strategic voices during times of uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting member expectations. Whether you lead communications, marketing, membership, or strategy, this episode offers actionable ideas for building trust, creating stories that resonate, and positioning communications as a driver of organizational success.

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Read more about the article Trust, Change, and the Future of Association Leadership

Trust, Change, and the Future of Association Leadership

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Meghan Henning sits down with Tara Puckey, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CMP, President & CEO of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), for a thoughtful conversation on trust, leadership, organizational culture, and the evolving information landscape. Drawing on her unique background in both journalism and association leadership, Tara explores why trust has become one of the defining challenges of our time—and what association leaders can do to build resilient organizations in an era of rapid technological change, increasing polarization, and rising expectations around transparency and wellbeing. Whether you're leading through uncertainty, strengthening organizational culture, or preparing your association for what's next, this episode offers timely insights into the leadership skills today's association executives need most.

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Read more about the article Leading a Global Association: Data, Innovation, and Member Value in a Changing Energy Landscape

Leading a Global Association: Data, Innovation, and Member Value in a Changing Energy Landscape

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Stuart Broadley, CEO of the Energy Industries Council (EIC), for a conversation about leading one of the world's largest trade associations serving the energy supply chain. Representing more than 950 member companies across 120+ countries, EIC has built its reputation by helping organizations navigate global markets through market intelligence, advocacy, networking, and strategic insights. Whether you're leading a global association, thinking about member value, or looking for new ways to innovate, this episode offers practical lessons on leadership, strategy, and building an organization that stays relevant through disruption.

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