Boardroom Association Podcast

In Part II of the Boardroom Association Podcast's 2026 opening episode, host Naomi Smith explores what events are revealing about association leadership this year in places where strategy becomes visible: association events. Joined by Ariane Brusselmans, Senior Nonprofit Executive and Director of Conferences at the International AIDS Society, and Professor Peter Van Daele, Secretary General of the International Union of Radio Science, the conversation examines: §  Why events are becoming one of the earliest indicators of leadership strength §  What's changing in event design §  Why impact and legacy are moving from "add-on" to planning criterion This episode is a grounded, operational look at how leadership decisions are tested in real time, and what association leaders should be watching closely this year. Produced by Boardroom Magazine, in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE).

If you lead an association in 2026, the question isn't whether things are changing – it's which changes actually matter. In this first episode of the Boardroom Association Podcast for 2026, host Naomi Smith brings together members of the Boardroom Advisory Board to discuss the shifts and decisions shaping association leadership in the year ahead. Joined by Susan de Bièvre, Senior Association Management Consultant and Managing Director of NATA, and Carlos Lee, Director General of EPIC – the European Photonics Industry Consortium, this conversation explores: How geopolitical risk and polarisation are reshaping boardroom decision-making The difference between using AI and being genuinely AI-enabled Whether event-centric revenue models are still sustainable How boards should rethink member journeys, impact, and legacy in 2026 This is Part I of a two-part episode examining the realities association boards must navigate this year and the moves leaders should consider next. Produced by Boardroom Magazine, in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE).

Making DEI Matter: From Principle to Practice At one of the world's largest oncology congresses this year — amid the science, research, and policy discussions — a Pride side-event took place. It was a small but powerful reminder that visibility and representation matter, even in the most traditional spaces. That moment opens this episode of the Boardroom Association Podcast, where host Naomi Smith explores how associations, large and small, can turn diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into action—especially in today's climate, where inclusion is increasingly under scrutiny. Featuring Charley Stoney, CEO of the European Association of Communication Agencies (EACA) and Alex Filicevas, Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition This episode concludes The Systems Behind the Strategy: Leading with What Matters, a three-part series from Boardroom Association Magazine, produced in collaboration with ESAE and powered by Congrex Switzerland.

What really goes on behind the scenes of your association's flagship events? In this episode of the Boardroom Association Podcast, host Naomi Smith lifts the curtain on congresses, conferences, and summits—the moments that leaders attend and celebrate, but rarely see in full. From the marathon planning to last-minute problem-solving, events are more than logistics—they're strategic tools for visibility, influence, and community building. Featured in this episode: Fanny Senez, Head of Events at the European Cancer Organisation – on why congresses are the peak of an association's year and how to balance vision with execution. Noureddine M'ghari, Congress & Events Manager at EAACI – on the risks and rewards of leader involvement, and the strategies that keep events resilient and relevant. This episode is part of The Systems Behind the Strategy: Leading with What Matters, a three-part podcast series from Boardroom Magazine, produced in collaboration with ESAE and powered by Congrex Switzerland

Kicking off Season 2 of the Boardroom Association Podcast, this episode dives into the layered world of governance—not as a dry checklist, but as a living system that shapes trust, purpose, and performance.  Simone De Ioanna, Executive Director of the European Psychiatric Association, brings a human lens to governance—revealing it as something deeply layered and full of potential.  Beatrice Richez-Baum, Director General at ecoDa, takes us into governance's structural core—sharing why leaders must review governance regularly and see it as a strategic enabler, not a constraint.  This episode is part of The Systems Behind the Strategy: Leading with What Matters, a three-part podcast series from Boardroom Magazine, hosted by Naom Smith, produced in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives, and powered by Congrex Switzerland. 

In The Superpower of Empathy, host Naomi Smith explores how association leaders are turning the often-overlooked quality of empathy into a strategic force—for both their teams and their members. Martina deSole, Director of ENOLL, opens up about facing burnout within her team early in her leadership—and how empathy and structured mental health policies helped rebuild trust and resilience. Birgit Poniatowski, Executive Director of the International AIDS Society, shares how long-term community engagement and active listening are central to the IAS's global impact. Also featuring leadership strategist Ole Petter Anfinsen, who explains why failing to truly listen is a fast track to disengagement and organisational decline. This episode is the final episode of Unlocking the Art of Exceptional Leadership, a three-part podcast series from Boardroom Magazine, produced in collaboration with ESAE, and powered by Congrex Switzerland.

In this episode of Leading Through Change – Adaptability & Innovation, host Naomi Smith speaks with association leaders who didn't just weather disruption—they used it as a springboard for transformation. Dianna Steinbach, Senior Vice President at IMA, shares how the association pivoted when a major revenue stream collapsed. Typhaine Beauperin, CEO of FERMA, reflects on how a shift from sponsorship to partnerships gave her organisation the resilience it needed to thrive during the pandemic. Also featured is Steph Davidson from the National MS Society, who outlines a practical, four-step framework for embedding innovation into your leadership approach—from vision-setting to post-change planning. This episode is part of Unlocking the Art of Exceptional Leadership, a three-part podcast series from Boardroom Magazine, produced in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE) and powered by Congrex Switzerland.

Welcome to Unlocking the Art of Exceptional Leadership, a three-part series exploring the qualities that define impactful leaders. On this first episode, host Naomi Smith speaks with two association leaders who've shaped their organisations through bold vision and purpose-driven leadership. She first talks to Paolo Falcioni, Director General of APPLiA, who shares how a daring rebranding effort—pitched aboard a rocking boat in Stockholm—redefined his association's identity and purpose. Then, in conversation with Rosa Armesto Plaja, Director General of FESE, they explore how self-awareness is the cornerstone of authentic leadership. The Boardroom Association Podcast is a podcast from Boardroom Magazine, produced in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE), and powered by Congrex Switzerland.

Welcome to the Boardroom Podcast, a new initiative exploring the people, ideas, and stories shaping the future of associations.  We're very happy to bring you in-depth discussions on the latest trends impacting the association world, from leadership to strategy  to member engagement and beyond. Produced in collaboration with our partner, the European Society of Association Executives, this is your go-to resource for navigating the evolving landscape of associations. If you have a story idea, please contact us—we'd love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]. Whether it's an inspiring leader, a groundbreaking initiative, or a trend reshaping your world, your input can shape the conversations that matter most to our community.