membership

Read more about the article Keeping Associations Indispensable: Lessons in Advocacy, Member Value and Leadership

Keeping Associations Indispensable: Lessons in Advocacy, Member Value and Leadership

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, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Patricia (Patti) Montague, FASAE, CAE, CEO of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), to explore how associations can remain relevant, strengthen advocacy and deliver meaningful member value through decades of change. Drawing on more than 13 years as CEO and a career spanning multiple leadership roles at SNA, Patti shares lessons from leading an association of 50,000 members, making difficult decisions about legacy programs and advocating for the resources school nutrition professionals need to serve millions of children every day.

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Read more about the article Belonging Beyond Benefits: Building a Stronger Member Connection

Belonging Beyond Benefits: Building a Stronger Member Connection

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, we continue our special fall series with Highland, exploring how associations can better attract, engage and retain younger professionals. Host Colleen Gallagher and special co-host David Whited, Principal of Research & Strategy at Highland, sit down with Ryan Vanderbilt, Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Communications at the American Psychiatric Association (APA), to explore what it really means for members to feel they belong—and how associations can foster meaningful connections throughout their careers. From APA's new strategic plan to research-driven experiments with mentorship, micro-volunteering and member communities, Ryan shares how APA is moving beyond traditional benefits to become a more relevant and supportive professional home.

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

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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Read more about the article Driving Member Engagement Through Personalized Connections: A Conversation with Carla Lochiatto of ASIS International

Driving Member Engagement Through Personalized Connections: A Conversation with Carla Lochiatto of ASIS International

Association professionals can learn a great deal from ASIS International’s approach, particularly in terms of how they’ve embraced personalization, leveraged member expertise, and created an authentic community experience that leads to both individual and organizational success.

Continue ReadingDriving Member Engagement Through Personalized Connections: A Conversation with Carla Lochiatto of ASIS International