Bringing over two decades of experience in serving association members, Leakhena Swett joins the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast this week for a conversation with our host, Lucas McCann. Leakhena is the newly appointed President of the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) and shares her fascinating career journey with us in today’s episode. Starting as a temp at the Irrigation Association, she navigated through various roles, ultimately finding her passion in association management. During the interview, Leakhena reflects on her ascent within ILTA, from building their membership department to eventually taking on the role of interim president and, finally, president. She emphasizes the importance of relationship-building through meaningful member interactions and active listening and shares the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. About this Podcast Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine. Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

The Six Degrees of Associations Podcast is honored to host a timely discussion on the art of marketing, communications, and advertising in the world of associations and beyond this week, featuring our guest American Marketing Association (AMA) CEO Bennie F. Johnson. As marketing continues to change at a rapid pace, certain enduring qualities have never been more important. As we learn in today’s chat, returning to the fundamentals of marketing is crucially important as the proliferation of A.I. in our field continues to grow. AI tools can enhance efficiency, provide insights, and automate tasks, but they do not replace the need for core marketing strategies. Bennie joins our show to discuss his organization’s ongoing efforts to keep marketers nationwide updated, connected, and educated on the latest trends and drastic changes in audience engagement that seem to happen at the drop of a hat. Founded in 1937, the AMA is the world's largest community-based marketing association. According to their official mission, the AMA strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, serving as an essential community for marketers. Learn More: https://www.ama.org/ About This Podcast Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine. Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

Associations are complex by nature. This week on our Six Degrees of Associations Podcast, we are joined by David Gammel, who provides insight into how his prolific consulting experience has helped him become an effective executive while navigating the many layers of an association. David currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. His journey into associations began unexpectedly after moving to Washington, D.C. After several years as a consultant, he transitioned back to association leadership, bringing with him a deep understanding of strategic alignment and execution. His consulting background taught him to diagnose issues quickly, understand organizational dynamics, and work effectively with stakeholders. This experience helps him navigate the complexities of association management, ensuring that different perspectives align towards common goals. In this interview, David also shares insights on effectively working with consultants, and the importance of storytelling and communication in leadership roles. According to David, even budgets can be seen as narratives that need to be communicated effectively to various stakeholders such as board members, staff, and the general membership. About this Podcast Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine. Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/