Leading Through Crisis, Advocacy, and Change: Inside TIA’s Fight Against Freight Fraud

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Chris Burroughs, President & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, for a candid conversation on leadership, advocacy, and how associations respond when an industry crisis hits. Chris reflects on stepping into the CEO role after nearly 15 years leading government affairs—and why that policy background translates into enterprise leadership, strategy, and member value. The discussion then turns to the logistics industry’s most urgent challenge: freight fraud—now more sophisticated, more organized, and more damaging than ever. If you lead an association team facing fast-moving risk, this episode offers practical insight into how to mobilize, communicate, and move the needle.

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State of Media & PR for Associations: What Matters Most Heading Into 2026

In this New Year’s solocast episode of Association Insights, host Colleen Gallagher—CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing & Communications—takes a grounded, practical look at the evolving media and PR landscape for associations. With newsrooms shrinking, attention getting harder to earn, and AI reshaping how information is discovered and indexed, Colleen breaks down what’s changed, what hasn’t, and where associations have the clearest opportunity to build credibility and influence in 2026—through relationships, speed, and authentic storytelling.

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Member Value Reimagined: How Associations Are Evolving to Meet Modern Expectations

In this holiday-week episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we’re re-airing our December LinkedIn Live roundtable, Member Value Reimagined—How Associations Are Evolving to Meet Modern Expectations. As member expectations continue to evolve, associations are rethinking what value truly means—beyond benefits to belonging, relevance, and impact. Hosted by Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd and publisher of Association Insights, this candid conversation features Stephanie Denvir of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Kerri McGovern of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and Brian Peters of The Adhesive & Sealant Council, sharing how they’re adapting engagement, personalization, and retention strategies heading into 2026. Whether you lead membership, communications, marketing, or strategy, this episode offers real-world insights you can apply heading into the new year.

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Transforming in Real Time: How AMLE Rebuilt Trust, Focus, and the Future of Middle Level Education

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast—and the next installment in our Big Ideas & Trends Series—host Meghan Henning sits down with Stephanie Simpson and Derek Neal, CAE to talk about what a real association turnaround looks like behind the scenes. Stephanie Simpson will conclude her tenure as CEO of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) this month to step into her new role as CEO of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Derek Neal serves as AMLE’s Chief Operating Officer. Together, they share how a legacy organization serving 10–15-year-olds and the educators who love them moved from years of financial losses and stagnation to renewed clarity, growth, and relevance. 🎧 Whether you’re facing your own version of a turnaround or simply rethinking your strategy for 2026, this conversation offers honest, practical perspective on leading change with mission—and people—at the center.

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Lean at 10: Culture, Risk, and Smarter Innovation for Associations

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher kicks off our Big Ideas & Trends Series with a candid conversation about what it really takes for associations to innovate. Colleen is joined by Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting; Jamie Notter, Culture Scientist; and Chrissy Bagby, CAE, PMP, Chief Strategy Officer, American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). They unpack the new white paper Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch and share how Lean Startup thinking, paired with culture change, can help associations test ideas, reduce risk, and stop “we’ve always done it this way” from running the show.

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Beyond Swag: Strategic Gifting and Emotional Loyalty for Associations

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Jamie Shibley, Co-Founder & CEO of The Expressory, to talk about how thoughtful appreciation can become a real strategy for retention, sponsorship loyalty, and long-term trust—not just a year-end “nice to have.” Drawing on her roots in her grandfather’s relationship-driven flower shop and years in corporate and e-commerce, Jamie shares how associations can use simple, intentional touchpoints to make members, sponsors, and donors feel genuinely seen. Whether you’re behind on holiday planning, rethinking how you thank sponsors and donors, or looking for new ways to support member renewals in 2026, this conversation will help you move beyond generic swag to meaningful, strategic engagement.

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