Association Chat
Association Chat is a podcast dedicated to exploring the world of professional associations and member-based organizations. Host KiKi L'Italien engages with industry leaders, association executives, and innovative thinkers to discuss emerging trends, best practices, and challenges facing the association community. From membership engagement strategies to digital transformation, this podcast offers valuable insights for anyone working in or interested in the association sector. Join the conversation and connect with a community of association professionals who are shaping the future of member-based organizations. You can sign up for the Association Chat newsletter, magazine, and other resources at www.AssociationChat.com.
Episodes
When it comes to nonprofits and associations, the underlying message from this podcast is crystal clear: let’s embrace the end of pointless busy work and move toward measuring how the work we do directly impacts mission. 🎯
**And spoiler alert – it’s not easy to do**
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These days, the role of a CEO extends far beyond manag...
In this special episode of the Association Chat Podcast, we hear from a group that helped solidify a new future for women in nonprofit tech as we speak with some of the founders of the Association of Women Technology Champions.
Learn more about AWTC: https://awtc.tech/
This week on Association Chat, host KiKi L’Italien sits down with Dana Freker Doody, owner of Inktide Solutions, and Shameka Jennings, principal and chief events officer of EventsNoire, to discuss outsourcing as a means of saving resources and preserving a strong culture and morale at associations and nonprofits. This interview explores what smart, effective outsourcing looks like in 2025 — from event strategy ...
How do we create a sense of belonging in a world that feels more disconnected than ever? For thousands of years, spiritual traditions have employed time-tested principles to bring people together, strengthen identities, and cultivate loyalty. But how can today’s associations and nonprofits apply these lessons to deepen connections and inspire lasting engagement? In this episode of Association Chat, host KiKi L’...
Sales, growth strategies, and taking calculated risks — it’s not just for those seeking a traditional quarterly profit in the business world. In this episode of the Association Chat Podcast, host KiKi L’Italien sits down with a serial entrepreneur in the association space, Lucas McCann, to talk all about it.
Currently, Lucas is at the helm of Core Adventures, a family of brands dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for ass...
Join Association Chat's KiKi L'Italien for a candid conversation exploring how associations can overcome the current challenges of keeping members engaged in our digital-first world. Mats Persson from Umbraco and Jake Toohey from Adage will discuss practical approaches to personalization that go far beyond the basics.
- Learn more about Umbraco: https://umbraco.com/
- More about Adage: https://adagetech.com/
❤️ FOLLOW Assoc...
As we learn in this interview, it’s time to stop letting artificial intelligence overwhelm your association staff. Host KiKi L’Italien visits with Dan Chuparkoff, CEO of Reinvention Labs, to talk about AI and The Future of Work in this Association Chat Podcast episode. Analysis paralysis is real, and as Dan reminds us: sometimes it is best to keep things simple and start small when aiming to keep pace with the explosion in technolo...
Association Chat Podcast host KiKi L'Italien goes one-on-one with Devon Montgomery Pasha, an expert on events and programming who wants to revolutionize how associations capture audience hearts and minds. As Chief Experience Officer at DMP Creative, her SPARK method has rescued countless events from the curse of mediocrity. In an era where member attention is your scarcest resource, the difference between forgettable conferences an...
As associations and nonprofits face explosive rates of cyberattacks, one thing is clear: human error is almost always the root cause. 😟
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In a time when leadership feels more stressful than ever, what if the secret to thriving was as simple as joy? In this episode of Association Chat, host KiKi L’Italien sits down with The Party Scientist himself, Jacques W. Martique, to explore how science-backed joy can transform the way we lead and build community.
Jacques has rocked festival stages, corporate offices, and global events wi...
With political tensions high, associations and nonprofits face tough choices about where and how they host events.
Enter SocialOffset, a groundbreaking initiative co-founded by Dr. Elena Gerstmann that empowers conference attendees to offset the economic impact of destination boycotts—without sacrificing meaningful participation.
In this episode of Association Chat, ho...
Lori Anderson, the president and CEO of the International Sign Association (ISA), is our distinguished guest this week on Association Chat. In January, she was named Association Executive of the Year and recently celebrated her 20th anniversary leading ISA. However, when she took over, things were a bit more unstable. In this interview, we’ll discuss change management, stabilizing chaos, and how to be comfortable in your own skin a...
Join host KiKi L’Italien on the Association Chat Podcast as she sits down with Rick Harris, CEO of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP), to explore how associations can discover new revenue opportunities through creative strategies and innovation.
With over a decade of experience leading APMP and a reputation as a nonprofit gr...
Join host KiKi L'Italien for a riveting conversation with PR powerhouse Adele Gambardella. In today's politically charged climate, when should associations take a stand—and how can they do it effectively?
Dubbed "the expert to call in a crisis" by The Wall Street Journal, Gambardella brings over 20 years of high-stakes PR experience to this timely discussion. Her client roster includes President Biden, billionaire Ted Leonsis, and ...
In this episode of Association Chat, we’re talking with James King, President of the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF), to explore the vital role CPAF plays in supporting first responders.
CPAF fosters wellness, camaraderie, and resilience among law enforcement and firefighter athletes and as you will learn in today’s episode there is nothing on earth quite like the games we disc...
What exactly is the state of associations in the opening days of President Trump’s second term? As the political climate shifts dramatically, Association Chat Magazine Editor-in-Chief and Association Chat Podcast Host KiKi L’Italien is joined by ASAE President & CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, and Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, ASAE’s Chief Public Policy and Governance Officer for this discussion, which has unprecedented consequences f...
In this episode of Association Chat, KiKi L’Italien sits down with Amy Lestition Burke, Executive Director and CEO of SWANA, to uncover the extraordinary leadership required to guide an association through two devastating hurricanes and a critical annual conference. As Amy shares her experiences, listeners will gain insight into how SWANA supports its members during crises, the lessons learned from disaster recovery, and the pivota...
In this episode of Association Chat, host KiKi L’Italien welcomes David Allison, founder of the Valuegraphics Project and best-selling author of The Death of Demographics.
Together, they explore how associations can uncover and leverage shared human values to bridge divides and foster stronger connections. From finding common ground in loyalty, personal responsibility, and independence to addressing internal politics and divisive ...
Fresh off the heels of the US Presidential Election, they explore how values—not demographics—drive behavior and decision-making, even in the association space. From origin stories in the advertising world to actionable insights on bridging divides, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at how associations can better connect with their members by focusing on what truly matters.
In this timely episode of Association Chat, Ki...
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