Better By Association

Challenges and Opportunities: A Conversation with Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP

In this episode, we talk to Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, executive director and CEO of American Mensa and the Mensa Foundation and board, and current Chair for the Texas Society of Association Executives’ Board of Directors. He joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for an engaging conversation focused on association challenges, curiosities, diversity, equity and inclusion, being authentic, and his drive to lead TSAE.
 
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Association Innovation: A Conversation with Christopher Williston, VI, CAE

In this episode, we talk to Christopher Williston, VI, CAE, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, about innovating your association. He joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for a fun conversation that defines innovation, and includes how IBAT is innovating, what it takes for an organization - regardless of size - can innovate, and how to convince your leaders and staff that innovation is needed. He also talks about his career and life journey in the association space and what it was like working with his dad.

The Art of Mentoring for Associations: A Conversation with Alex Richardson

In this episode, we talk to Alex Richardson, CEO and co-founder of Thet Art of Mentoring. He joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for an engaging conversation wrapped around, what else – mentorship! They chat about the importance of mentorship in the association space, taking advantage of untapped expertise, setting up a formal mentorship program, qualities of a good mentor (and mentee), and the value of belonging to an association.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
Show notes
Alex Richardson is the CEO, co-founder and tech enabler behind Art ofMentoring, a HR technology company that designs strategic mentoringprograms for corporates, associations and government departments inAustralasia and North America.
Alex co-founded of Art of Mentoring alongside his mother, global mentoringexpert, Melissa Richardson in 2013. The combination of Alex’s deepunderstanding of technology and Melissa’s mentoring mastery presented anopportunity to leverage technology to mobilise strategic mentoring programsand help associations attract, develop and retain their members.
Whilst mentoring has been an important part of Alex’s life, he also has apassion for music that runs deeps, which saw Alex study sound engineeringand go on to produce albums throughout Australia, Africa and Brazil. Agile,adaptive, and technologically creative, Alex has been instrumental (pardon thepun) in the development of mentoring technology from the ground up. His nousfor establishing long-standing relationships with partners and clients, haspropelled Art of Mentoring into the HR Tech sector, and he’s not slowing down.
Alex has built some of the world’s largest mentoring programs across a varietyof sectors such as Government, Defense, Membership Associations andCorporates in countries all around the world. He specializes in programs thatcreate transformational mentoring relationships, shift culture and solvecomplex problems. Under his leadership, Art of Mentoring will continue to pushthe boundaries of unlocking the potential of powerful relationships enabled bytechnology.

Value of Membership: A Conversation with Cathi Hight

In this episode, we talk to Cathi Hight, president of Hight Performance Group, and membership guru. She joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for an engaging conversation about taking care of members throughout the member journey, attracting the next generation of members, the importance of telling your organization's story, membership marketing, and four core ways your members will engage with your association. 
This episode is sponsored by Visit College Station.  
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
 
Show notes
Cathi Hight has more than 25 years’ experience in the association industry. She ispassionate about helping member-based organizations evolve and thrive.Considered as a Membership Guru, Cathi is the developer of The MemberRetention Kit and A New Approach to Tiered Membership. She helpsassociations meet the changing expectations of members and to effectivelycommunicate the value of membership.
Cathi’s top five StrengthFinder® talents are Strategic, Maximizer, Significance,Focus and Deliberate and she leverages these talents to facilitate scenario andstrategic planning, develop foresight for boards of directors, and implement strategic recruitment and retention initiatives for associations of all size and industry.
Cathi is a frequent speaker for national and regional associations, including the Great Ideas event for ASAE (American Society of Association Executives), Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) conventions, and state conferences. She has been an instructor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (association management certification program) since 2004. Cathi is a member of ASAE, ACCE and TSAE (Texas Society of Association Executives).
Cathi has a diverse career experience serving in leadership roles for association, manufacturing, finance, training and development, and nonprofit sectors. She was a Motorola University Instructor for six sigma, cycle time reduction and benchmarking. Her multi-industry background allows her to share best practices as a speaker, trainer, consultant, and author. Cathi holds a B.S. in Human Development from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Event Planning + Knowing Your Audience: A Conversation with Annette Hicks, CMP

In this episode, we talk to Annette Hicks, CMP, vice president of meetings & events for the Texas Food & Fuel Association. She joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for a timely conversation about the future of association event planning, cutting costs, creating amazing RFPs, the importance of mentorship, and advice for young professionals starting in the hospitality industry. Oh, and we learn a valuable lesson: Don't mess with people's bacon!
This episode is sponsored by Visit Corpus Christi.  
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
 

Strengthening Women Leadership in Association Management: A Conversation with Mollie Pillman + Dana Kirkhart

In this episode, we talk to Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, senior vice president of member engagement for the American College of Emergency Physicians, and Dana Kirkhart, CEM, director of client services for Freeman. They join our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for an engaging conversation wrapped around key takeaways from TSAE's recent Women's Summit and the importance of future events geared towards women, leading during challenging times, doing more with less, the power of mentorship, and getting involved in the association community. Oh, and we throw in a little wine talk to keep things going!
This episode is sponsored by Visit Galveston.  
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
Show Notes
Mollie Pillman has over fifteen years of professional experience in creating and communicating member and customer value. She is a passionate, resourceful leader who enjoys setting strategic direction, solving complex problems through innovation, and working collaboratively to achieve measurable results. Mollie is the current SVP of Member Engagement at the American College of Emergency Physicians, where she is responsible for the strategic assessment, development and implementation of programs designed to create a professional home for emergency medicine physicians. Her previous roles included SVP of Member Services at the American Osteopathic Association, Chief Membership Officer at the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Senior Director of Strategy & Transformation at the American Health Information Management Association, and additional operational leadership and project management positions.Mollie holds an M.B.A. from DePaul University specializing in Leadership and Change Management, an M.S. in Health Systems Management from Rush University, a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt certification, and is a Certified Association Executive. She is committed to lifelong learning and to serving as a mentor to future leaders.
 
Dana Kirkhart started her events industry career in 2007 as the Expo Operations Manager for the Texas Restaurant Association. In 2010 she went to work for CDS Events for a year before they were acquired by Freeman in 2011. Currently the Director of Client Solutions at Freeman, she supports the San Antonio, Austin and Houston Market. Her volunteer involvement in the industry is significant, serving in almost every capacity for IAEE-CTC, including as Chair of the organization twice. Her awards and honors include the Certification in Exhibition Management designation and the IAEE Merit Award, both in 2016, as well as the IAEE Central Texas Chapter Chairman's Award in 2019. Dana was most recently named the 2023 Southwest Showcase Industry Professional of the Year.
 
 

A Leader’s Perspective: A Conversation with Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM

In our inaugural episode, we talk to Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM, president and CEO of the Texas Society of CPAs and current Chair for the Texas Society of Association Executives’ Board of Directors. She joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for an engaging conversation wrapped around strategic planning, industry challenges, leadership advice, work-life balance, and the future of associations. 
 
Show notes
Jodi Ann Ray joined Texas Society of CPAs in 2016 and serves as President & CEO. She has over 25 years of experience in association management. Before joining TXCPA she served as Vice President of an international association as well as CEO of several chambers of commerce in Connecticut, North Carolina and Texas where much of her work focused on government affairs, economic development, and community development.
She is a graduate of Fairfield University and received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and her IOM designation (Institute for Organization Management) from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of ASAE, TSAE and DFWAE She serves as a Board member of the CPA Society of Executives Association (CPA/SEA) and as the current chair of the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE). Jodi Ann was recognized at the Dallas Fort Worth Association Executives (DFWAE) Executive of the Year in 2020. In her professional capacity she also serves as a member of the AICPA Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) committee. She lives inNorth Texas with her husband Joey and their five children.
 
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

TSAE’s Better By Association Trailer

The Texas Society of Association Executives presents the all-new Better By Association – an original podcast series where we chat with professionals in the TSAE community. Join our hosts Steven Stout, CAE, and Katy Markert as they engage in conversations with TSAE members about career journeys, leadership, networking, and the importance of belonging to an organization.