Welcome to THE PODCAST

What happens when the person at the head of the table doesn’t feel like they belong there? In this episode of Association Transformation, we welcome back Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation, for a candid conversation about imposter syndrome at the highest levels of leadership. From “faking it” in boardrooms to building confidence through curiosity, Simon shares real stories, lessons learned, and why vulnerability might just be a leader’s greatest strength. Whether you're an association exec, a board member, or just someone who's ever questioned, “Am I good enough for this?”, this episode is for you.

What does effective, humble and self-aware leadership look like? Join hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain as they welcome Ellen Daniels, CEO of the British Compressed Gases Association and 2025 WiTA Powerlist honoree. Ellen, who became CEO at just 29, shares candid insights on creating a leadership culture built on humility and self-awareness. From making confident decisions under pressure to fostering open feedback, she discusses how authentic leadership transforms organizations. Whether you're navigating difficult personalities, growing your team, or seeking to develop your own leadership style, Ellen offers practical wisdom on balancing confidence with humility. Discover how modern association leadership has evolved and what truly matters when leading today's complex organizations.

Just released! In Episode 135 of Association Transformation, hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain sit down with Carter Lyons from LeadingAge Virginia for a refreshingly honest conversation about what we're getting wrong in member engagement. Forget the tired "40 under 40" lists and special young professional groups—Carter challenges us to see members as individuals first, not just birth years on a spreadsheet. Drawing from her experience in aging services, she offers a compelling perspective: "There's no magic when you turn 41 that suddenly means you know everything." The trio explores how authentic connections create stronger communities than demographic checkboxes ever could, and why passionate members become your best recruitment ambassadors without even trying. If you're tired of treating different generations like "aliens" (Andrew's word, not mine!), this episode will transform how you think about building truly inclusive member experiences.

Join Andrew and Elisa as they explore how associations can harness the power of industry research to drive member value and organizational growth. Analyzing the latest industry reports, they highlight opportunities for associations to differentiate themselves through quality data analytics. The conversation provides practical insights on investing in market research, understanding member needs, and building sustainable revenue streams through thought leadership. Whether you're considering a new research initiative or looking to enhance your existing data strategy, this episode offers valuable perspectives on making research a cornerstone of your association's value proposition in 2025.

In this engaging episode, Elisa is joined by guest co-host Kevin Couling, who returns to the pod to give us his insider's perspective on climate action and what it means for associations. He breaks down the recent COP29 climate conference, highlighting practical ways associations can take meaningful action regardless of global politics. Kevin offers valuable insights on how organizations can approach climate change as a business risk rather than a political issue and shares actionable steps for association leaders who want to become more climate-literate. Whether your members are ahead of or behind on climate initiatives, this episode provides clear guidance on how associations can create safe spaces for collaboration and drive positive change. Don't miss this accessible conversation that demystifies climate action for association professionals.