In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher welcomes back Preeti Vasishtha, AAiP, Director of Content and Editor-in-Chief at the American Academy of Actuaries, for a conversation about leadership, navigating change and knowing when to let go.
More than a year after her first appearance, Preeti shares how her role has evolved from revamping a flagship publication to shaping a broader content strategy – and what she’s learned about bringing people along, making difficult decisions and redefining her own contributions as a leader.
Key Highlights
Change With Purpose: Why understanding an organization’s history, processes and member needs should come before making changes, and why tradition alone isn’t a reason to keep doing things the same way.
Bring People Along: How building a shared understanding of the problem, inviting different perspectives and creating ownership can help teams embrace change.
Collaboration vs. Decision-Making: Why giving people a voice doesn’t mean every decision needs to be made by committee –and how leaders can balance listening with moving forward.
Learning to Let Go: How moving into senior leadership requires shifting from measuring what you personally produce to the impact you help your team and organization achieve.
Rethinking AI Through a Leadership Lens: Why Preeti is asking not just what AI can do, but when it should be used – and what we risk losing when we outsource too much of our thinking.
It’s OK Not to Have Every Answer: Why becoming comfortable saying “I don’t know yet” can be a sign of stronger, more thoughtful leadership.
🎧 Tune in for an honest, practical conversation about leading through change, trusting your judgment and growing into leadership without feeling like you have to do it all yourself.
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Coming Soon: More conversations with association executives, innovators and industry experts sharing fresh perspectives, practical strategies and ideas shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned!
