Better By Association

The Evolving Meetings & Events Experience: A Conversation with Aaron Wolowiec

In this episode, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert welcome Aaron Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, CMP, founder and president of Event Garde, to explore what’s shaping the future of meetings and events. Aaron shares how he unexpectedly found his path in the industry and offers valuable insights into the lasting effects of the pandemic, shifting attendee expectations, and the increasing costs of AV, food, and beverage. The conversation dives into building authentic participant relationships, embracing AI for personalized experiences, and improving accessibility. Aaron also discusses the vital role of safety management plans, the power of mentorship, and the importance of wellness in an ever-demanding profession. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned event pro, this episode delivers practical tips and big-picture trends to keep you ahead of the curve.
This episode is sponsored by Visit Austin.
 
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Strengthening the CEO-Volunteer Leader Relationship: A Conversation with Avi Olitzky

In this episode, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert welcome Avi Olitzky, president and principal consultant of Olitzky Consulting Group, to explore the unique and often complex relationship between association CEOs and volunteer leaders. Avi shares insights on the role of emotional intelligence, strategic planning, and shared purpose in building strong CEO-volunteer partnerships. The discussion covers best practices, common misconceptions, and strategies for maintaining effective collaboration, even as leadership changes. Tune in for expert guidance on fostering productive, long-term relationships between association executives and volunteer leaders
This episode is sponsored by Darling Promo.
 Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Building Trust and Confidence in Yourself: A Conversation with Marli Williams

In this special episode, recorded live at the TSAE Women's Summit, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert sit down with confidence-building expert Marli Williams to explore the power of self-trust and personal transformation. Marli shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, strengthening confidence in both individuals and teams, and practical strategies like curating a "support wall" and recognizing personal strengths. She highlights the importance of self-awareness and mindset in professional growth and offers guidance on leveraging professional associations to build a strong, supportive community.
This episode is sponsored by the enSYNC Corporation.
 Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
Show notes
Marli Williams is on a mission to inspire, motivate, and elevate individuals and organizations to unleash and unlock their full potential to become the confident and authentic leaders and changemakers they are meant to be.
Whether you're a corporate executive, a budding entrepreneur, or just a regular person who wants to live life to the fullest, her interactive keynote presentations are designed to energize, motivate, and inspire you to take your life and leadership to the next level.
For more information, visit Marli's website at https://www.marliwilliams.com.

The Power of Relationships: A Conversation with Ryan Byrd, CAE

In this episode, Ryan Byrd, CAE, director, managed chapters at the American College of Emergency Physicians, joins hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert. Ryan shares her journey into association management, her passion for building strong member relationships, and the key to understanding what truly motivates members. The discussion dives into the role of marketing in recruitment, effective engagement strategies, and the challenges and rewards of working in associations. Plus, Ryan offers valuable advice for industry newcomers and highlights the importance of work-life balance
This episode is sponsored by eLearningDOC.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Advocacy Essentials: Preparing for the 2025 Legislative Session

In our season 2 finale, Dr. Michelle Smith joins hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert to explore strategies for associations ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Smith highlights the critical need for associations to engage with newly elected legislators, craft clear messaging strategies, and mobilize grassroots advocates. She also shares insights on navigating advocacy challenges, such as aligning internal priorities, leveraging storytelling, and using creative approaches to communicate effectively with decision-makers.
 
This episode is sponsored by Higher Logic.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
 
Show notes
Dr. Michelle Smith is a leading advocacy and legislative expert who has dedicated her career to advancing public policy and empowering communities to engage with their elected officials. Before founding Smith Advocacy in 2024, Dr Smith served as the executive director of Raise Your Hand Texas, a statewide advocacy organization focused on improving public education for over five million Texas students.
Dr. Smith also worked with HillCo Partners for eight years, focusing on public education issues such as public school finance and school choice, as well as facilities funding, government transparency, and elections. During her tenure at HillCo Partners, Dr. Smith also served as the executive director of the Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC) for five years.
She adeptly combines and connects advocacy expertise, a deep knowledge of Texas politics, and practical experience to offer innovative approaches to today’s advocacy and policy challenges. Her work in and around the Texas Capitol garnered accolades and awards, including recognition as Capitol Inside’s Top 100 Hired Guns lobby list (2017, 2019) and Friend of the Year by Friends of Texas Public Schools (2018).

Leading the Charge: Funding, Engagement, and Advocacy with Shirley Robinson

In this episode, Shirley Robinson, CAE, executive director of the Texas Library Association (TLA), joins hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert to share her inspiring journey in the association world and advocacy efforts of Texas associations. From her early ambition of becoming an optometrist to discovering her passion for nonprofit work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Shirley reflects on the experiences and lessons that led her to leadership at TLA. Shirley discusses the critical skills needed to be a successful executive director, including budgeting, public speaking, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She also dives into the impactful work TLA is doing to support libraries across Texas, tackling issues like censorship, securing funding, and improving broadband access in rural communities. With a membership of over 6,000, TLA is dedicated to strategic planning, engaging volunteers, and legislative advocacy to champion the essential role of libraries. This episode offers a fascinating look at leadership, advocacy, and the future of library services in Texas.
This episode is sponsored by Sweeney Associates.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Transfer of Power: A Conversation with Nita Scott and Lucinda Hart

In this episode, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert are joined by Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM, and Nita Scott, CAE, MSE, from Delta Kappa Gamma International Association. They discuss the unique leadership transition between a retiring CEO and the incoming one, highlighting the importance of clear communication and strategic planning for a seamless change. The conversation underscores the need to set egos aside and focus on the organization's long-term success. This episode was recorded live at TSAE’s New Ideas Conference in The Woodlands.
This episode is sponsored by the Chazin & Company.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
 
Show notes
Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM
With over 28 years of experience in nonprofit management and customer service,Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM, specializes in strategic alliance, business development, membership, meeting planning, governance & administration, and certification programs. She recently assumed the role of Executive Director for DKG Society International, following her tenure as the President of the Effingham County Chamber in Effingham, Illinois.
Hart is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the TexasSociety of Association Executives. She recently served on the ASAE CAE Job Analysis Task Force where she assisted in maintaining the CAE Program's standards by identifying the current competencies essential for association executives. She has been a member of TSAE for more than 20 years, serving the TSAE as a mentor, CAE instructor, speaker, and committee member.
 
Nita R. Scott, CAE
With a Bachelor of Business Administration (marketing and management) and a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership, Nita R. Scott, CAE, has long promoted using data as a tool to enable organizational leadership in marketing and building membership. Scott, as a Certified Association Executive (CAE), provides organizational leaders with insight regarding best practices for non-profit association governance. Recently retired as Executive Director, Scott joined DKG Society International Headquarters in August of 2011 – serving first as membership director and then as executive director.
Scott is currently a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE). In addition to attending conferences and seminars, she has worked with TSAE as a volunteer mentor for TSAE Leadership, panelist for Learn@Lunch sessions, instructor for CAE Study Courses, and has served on task forces for conference planning and for the association magazine. Scott is currently serving on the Governance Task Force after serving a three-year term as a member of the TSAE Board of Directors and chairing one of the board’s four strategic initiatives twice during her tenure.

A Shift in Member Engagement: A Conversation with Sarah Sladek

In this episode, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert are joined by Sarah Sladek, founder and CEO of XYZ University, renowned author, and keynote speaker at this year's New Ideas Conference. Sarah dives into the evolving landscape of member engagement, emphasizing the need for associations to adapt to shifting demographics. She discusses the emotional connection members have with organizations and the critical focus on retention over recruitment. Sarah also highlights the importance of aligning organizational values with members and maintaining a member-first approach to drive meaningful change. This episode was recorded live at TSAE’s New Ideas Conference in The Woodlands.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.
 
Show notes
Sarah Sladek has been referred to as a social equity expert and recognized as both a Global Leader in Strategy and a Talent Economy Influencer. Organizations worldwide have relied on her insights to plan their futures, foster cultures of relevance and belonging, and realize growth. Leaders who seek Sarah’s expertise tend to want a different outlook for their organizations, but they aren’t sure how to make it happen. They feel stuck. Overwhelmed by change, turnover, conflict, and decline. Sarah has the solutions to these challenges and more.
Since 2002, she has dedicated her career to understanding the concepts of engagement and belonging and answering these core questions:
Why are organizations experiencing more turnover, disengagement,
and decline than ever before?
Why are younger generations less likely to feel like they belong?
Is sustainable change possible?
Sarah studies belonging through the lens of social change and generational influences, alongside trends and shifts in organizational cultures, workforce development, consumerism, and economics.
She refers to this comprehensive approach as Next Gen Intelligence. Using this approach, Sarah has successfully turned organizations around, bringing them to a place of increased relationship-building and revenue generation. Sarah is the founder and CEO of XYZ University, a training and consulting firm advising organizations worldwide. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, MemberShift: Why Members Leave and the Strategies Proven to Bring Them Back, hit the market in late 2023 and received the Silver Nonfiction Book Award. In addition, Sarah is a web show host, podcaster, member of Forbes Business Council, and contributing writer for Boardroom magazine. She was recently named to the global list of Women Who Advance Associations, and she’s prominently featured in the Jobs of Tomorrow docuseries currently streaming on Tubi. Her expertise has been prominently featured in international media, and she has keynoted events throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Balancing Act: Leadership, Growth, and the Human Side of Association Management with Paulina Van Eeden Hill, CAE

In this episode, Paulina Van Eeden Hill, CAE, chief operating officer at Strategic Association Management, executive director of the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented, and 2024-2025 board chair of the Texas Society for Association Executives, joins hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert. Paulina shares her insights on balancing responsibilities, personal growth, and blending both scientific and artistic approaches to leadership. The conversation covers the role of Association Management Companies, how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) has shaped her organization, the importance of continuous learning, taking on new challenges, and the human side of association management.
This episode is sponsored by eLearningDOC.
Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Building Success from the Ground Up: A Conversation with Tracy Tomson, CAE

In this episode, Tracy Tomson, CAE, former executive director and CEO of the Restaurant Facilities Management Association and Distinguished Life Member of TSAE, joins hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert. Tracy shares her fascinating career journey, detailing her transition from the radio industry to association management. She discusses the transferable skills that contributed to her success and emphasizes the value of learning from failure. The conversation also explores essential leadership qualities, the importance of fostering a positive team culture, and the critical role of engagement with organizations like TSAE.
This episode is sponsored by the Chazin & Company.
 Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.