Blog & Podcast
A thought leader in the association space, Elisa is an unconventional and influential strategic specialist. Have you read her recent blog? Laugh or cry, she doesn’t pull any punches with her honest and insightful look at the association and nonprofit environments. Check out her musings below and ping her with a topic you’d like her to tackle.
More of a podcast person? Do you prefer to listen to your innovation and 501c news? Launched in July 2020, Association Transformation was conceived as a direct response to the membership sector’s need for information, dialogue, guidance, and support during an unprecedented period of disruption and uncertainty. Recognizing the inherently global nature of the membership sector, the podcast is intended to advance the impact and evolution of nonprofit organizations. Join co-hosts Elisa Pratt (CEO of Brewer Pratt Solutions) and Andrew Chamberlain (Chief Development Officer of Elevated) for different perspectives, innovative topics, and a little fun!
Need a fresh perspective? Blog or podcast, we've got it!
Elisa's developed curriculum, delivered webinars, keynotes and session presentations for AssociationTrends.com and AssociationSuccess.com,
the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Nplace.org, the Institute of Association Leadership (IAL), the Virtual Association Network (VAN), and many others.
Recent Blog Posts
Association Transformation Podcast
Episode 179
'Tis the Enrollment Season: Insurance Options for Associations of All Sizes
In Episode 179 of Association Transformation, Elisa sits down with Brian Haney, CAE, SVP and Association & Non-Profit Specialist at Relation Insurance Services, to talk through health insurance for associations as 2027 renewals land. Brian’s first message: you probably have more options than you think.
They get into small group plans, PEOs and level funding, why your headquarters state decides your market, how much your board needs to see, and Brian’s 90-60-45-30 timeline for a calmer open enrollcment. Elisa also asks whether a one-person staff can use a PEO. Brian hasn’t seen it happen, since a lot of PEOs have minimum headcounts. If you lead a small-staff association or nonprofit and you’re building a 2027 budget, start here.
Episode 178
Your board says "we should go global." Now what?
In Episode 178 of Association Transformation, Elisa sits down with Brian Weiss (SVP of Society Programs at the American Chemical Society, with PMI, RMA, AMA, and NCMA behind him) for the globalization conversation most associations skip straight past. A few of the highlights:
Do the non-business case before the business case. Why is the board really asking? You can’t meet an expectation nobody’s named.
Your readiness assessment isn’t a go/no-go. It’s the calibration tool you’ll keep coming back to for the next five years as the board turns over.
You don’t need a big balance sheet. Partners, AMCs, and sister associations are all doors in.
The single biggest thing Brian’s seen trip expansions up: HQ won’t let go. Centralized brand, localized delivery, that tension makes or breaks it.
If globalization is on your board agenda (or about to be) watch or listen before anyone spends a dollar.
Episode 177
Cybersecurity is a Leadership Issue
You know we love alliterations, but not as much as we love the intricacies of the volunteer-staff partnership within associations. Elisa and Andrew dive in with Amy Biedenharn, Director of Client Experience with Innovatis Group, to discuss the dynamics, challenges, and strategies involved in fostering a positive and productive collaboration. This sometimes complex relationship between member-leaders and paid staff can have a great impact and can also present poisonous pitfalls (sorry, we’ll stop). Drawing from diverse experiences, we explore the significance of setting clear expectations, establishing boundaries, and providing training for both volunteers and staff, and we emphasize the ongoing commitment required to navigate and nurture this essential aspect of association management.
Whitepapers
