Building Responsible AI: Innovation, Leadership, and the One-Pizza Team with Jamie Atchison

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome Jamie Atchison, MSMIT, Senior Director of Innovation and Strategy at the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). Jamie shares her unique journey from public health programming into technology leadership, highlighting how she bridges business needs and digital innovation within her organization.We explore ASPPH’s groundbreaking AI chatbot, built in just eight weeks, and the intentional, human-centered approach behind it. Jamie dives into how associations can responsibly adopt AI, the importance of curated and trusted content, and how vertical AI models can combat misinformation in complex fields like public health.The conversation also covers leadership philosophy, including servant leadership, psychological safety, and building high-performing “one-pizza teams” that can move quickly without losing alignment. Jamie offers a forward-looking perspective on how AI and agentic AI will reshape associations, emphasizing augmentation over replacement and the need for strong critical thinking in an AI-driven world.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:01 Rapid Fire Questions02:00 Jamie’s Career Journey and Path into Technology05:00 Transition from Program Work to Digital Innovation Leadership07:00 Building High-Performing “One-Pizza Teams”09:00 Inside the AI Chatbot Project (8-Week Build)12:00 Team Structure, AWS Partnership, and Knowledge Transfer13:00 From Problem to Solution: Why a Chatbot?14:30 Responsible and Ethical AI in Public Health17:00 Guardrails, Curated Content, and Vertical AI Models18:00 Data Considerations and Content Strategy20:00 Member Feedback and Adoption of AI Tools21:30 Human-Centered Design vs. Over-Reliance on AI23:00 Broader AI Strategy and Task Force Initiatives26:00 Building a Digital Innovation Team in Associations29:00 Bridging Business Strategy and Technology Execution32:00 Future Trends: AI, Agentic AI, and Workforce Impact36:00 Servant Leadership and Building Trust in Teams39:00 Culture, Collaboration, and Crisis Response in Tech Teams40:00 AWTC Recognition and Team Success42:00 Aligning Personal Values with Organizational Mission44:00 Where to Learn More About ASPPH’s AI Initiatives

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome Dana Kohli, Vice President of Client Solutions at DelCor Technology Solutions and recent AWTC award winner, for a conversation about leadership, partnerships, and the evolving role of technology in associations.Dana shares her career journey from music educator to association technology leader, and how her people-first approach has shaped her work helping organizations solve complex challenges. The conversation explores emerging trends in the association space, including data strategy, CEO involvement in technology decisions, system selection evolution, and the growing importance of change management.We also dive into the human side of technology, from building authentic partnerships to asking tough questions and creating space for meaningful collaboration. Dana shares insights on daily wins, leadership moments, and why the most successful technology initiatives always come back to people.Throughout the conversation, we reflect on how associations are balancing innovation with practicality, navigating security and automation challenges, and embracing what Dana calls “good old-fashioned leadership” in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome Erica Salm Rench, Chief Marketing Officer at Sidecar, to explore how associations can move beyond AI buzzwords and into meaningful adoption. Erica shares her career journey from digital marketing to leading AI-driven innovation in the association space, along with the experiences that shaped her approach to technology, community, and leadership.We dive into practical strategies for AI adoption, including building a culture of experimentation, creating internal learning cohorts, and identifying workflows ripe for automation. Erica also discusses the growing role of agents, the balance between personalization and privacy, and how associations can use data more effectively to improve member engagement.Throughout the conversation, Erica highlights the importance of collaboration, curiosity, and continuous learning as associations navigate rapid technological change. She also shares insights from her work at Sidecar, emerging trends in AI, and what leaders should focus on today to prepare their organizations for the future.

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome Ravi Rooprai, Director of IT and PMO at the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Ravi shares his unique journey from molecular microbiology and pharmaceutical consulting into association technology leadership, bringing a scientific mindset to digital transformation and innovation.The conversation explores how MDRT is modernizing association technology by decoupling legacy systems, building scalable data ecosystems, and experimenting with AI-driven personalization. Ravi explains how his team approaches technology through experimentation, feasibility studies, and agile thinking to improve member experiences and operational efficiency.We also dive into MDRT’s cutting-edge meeting technology, including large-scale multilingual interpretation powered by AI and the infrastructure required to support thousands of attendees simultaneously streaming translated sessions. Ravi discusses how associations can better leverage data, personalization, and experimentation to drive engagement, retention, and measurable member value.From building a culture of innovation to applying e-commerce thinking to membership value, this episode offers practical insights for association leaders navigating digital transformation.00:01:00 Introduction to Ravi Rooprai and MDRT00:01:30 Rapid Fire Questions00:02:40 Ravi’s Career Journey from Science to Association Technology00:04:30 Lessons from Industry Applied to Associations00:05:30 Using ROI and Value Metrics in Association Technology Decisions00:07:00 Measuring Member Lifetime Value00:08:30 The Value of MDRT Membership for Financial Professionals00:10:30 Reworking Legacy AMS Systems Through Decoupled Data Architecture00:12:00 Building a Modern Data Ecosystem Around Legacy Platforms00:13:30 Scaling Membership Systems to Handle Peak Demand00:14:45 Managing 60–70K Membership Applications During Renewal Season00:16:00 Leveraging AI and Technology at Large Global Conferences00:17:00 Simultaneous Translation and Multilingual Meeting Experiences00:18:30 Solving Conference Connectivity and Infrastructure Challenges00:20:00 Improving the Member Experience Through Technology00:21:00 Favorite Tools: AI, Copilot, and Power Apps00:23:30 Empowering Staff to Experiment with Technology00:24:30 Personalization and Data-Driven Engagement00:26:00 Using Engagement Data to Shape Event Programming00:28:00 The Future of Digital Transformation in Associations00:29:00 Applying a Scientific Mindset to Technology Innovation00:31:00 Building a Culture of Experimentation and Safe Failure00:33:00 Feasibility Studies and Agile Technology Testing00:35:00 Applying E-commerce Thinking to Membership Value00:37:00 The Future of AI and Meeting Technology at MDRT00:39:00 Rethinking the Conference Experience00:40:00 Closing Thoughts 

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Mike Moyer, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Mike shares his journey from wrestling coach to leading the NWCA, detailing the organization's mission to develop transformational coaches and advocate for wrestler safety through groundbreaking initiatives such as the creation of a weight management system. We delve into NWCA's innovative strategies, including coaching development programs and the Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN), which connects wrestlers with career opportunities. Mike also highlights the challenges and triumphs of expanding wrestling programs nationwide and the critical role of technology in achieving their goals.

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome industry veteran Liam O'Malley from Path LMS by Momentive. Liam shares his extensive journey in the association market, highlighting key experiences from the American Bar Association to his current role at Momentum. The discussion covers the evolving landscape of online learning, microlearning strategies, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Liam also introduces the exciting launch of Momentive IQ, a tool designed to centralize data and integrate various association technologies. Tune in to hear insights on managing nano markets and the future of AI in associations.

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome newly minted Executive Director of Women in Revenue, Dr. Ginna Santy. Ginna shares her journey from academia to founding a women-focused co-working business and ultimately leading Women in Revenue. We discuss her passion for elevating women's roles in revenue-generating positions and discuss the importance of designing for inclusivity. Ginna emphasizes the importance of creating value for women in professional spaces and describes Women in Revenue's community-building efforts. 

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome Laura Sparks, Director of Marketing and Communications at the American Society of Appraisers. We dive into Laura’s journey into the association space, exploring her eclectic background and approach to marketing and leadership. We also discuss the importance of member engagement, the integration of AI in association marketing, and the critical role of content quality. Laura highlights the significance of marketing’s seat at the table and the need for collaborative planning to enhance member experiences and drive growth. Additionally, we explore volunteer engagement strategies and the value of feedback in refining marketing efforts. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:37 Rapid Fire Questions 02:23 Laura's Journey into Associations 05:40 Marketing and Sales Synergy 05:56 Content Marketing and AI 08:59 Tagging and Data Management 15:50 Member Experience and Feedback 26:01 The Role of Marketing in Associations 27:58 Marketing vs. Promotion: Understanding the Difference 29:55 The Importance of Marketing's Seat at the Table31:02 Gender Dynamics in Marketing 32:29 Engaging Volunteers Effectively 35:28 Marketing Volunteer Opportunities 38:16 The Challenges of Committee Work 43:49 Planning and Ideation in Marketing 50:24 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Association Podcast! We reflect on the evolution of topics and themes over the past five years, discuss our key takeaways, and acknowledge many of our influential guests. We cover themes like leadership and governance, digital strategy, data and analytics, culture, marketing and brand, community and engagement, education and learning, DEI, association strategy, and the impact of AI. You'll hear our personal anecdotes, audience insights, and future predictions.

On this episode of The Association Podcast, we welcome repeat guest Jeff De Cagna, AIMP, FRSA, FASAE, and Executive Advisor at Foresight First LLC,  for a deep dive into the challenges and considerations involving AI and association boards. We discuss the Future of Association Boards (FAB) Report, which De Cagna curated and edited, touching on the importance of creating a better future for association boards. Jeff stresses the need for ethical reflection in adopting AI, the concept of stewardship over traditional leadership, and fostering humanity within organizational purposes. The conversation also covers practical approaches for boards, board readiness, and actions association leaders can take to effectively navigate the evolving landscape.FAB Report