4 Letter from the Editor As I write this on a chilly January evening, my household is in delightful chaos. The Chiefs and Eagles are headed to the Super Bowl again, and as someone who grew up in Chiefs Kingdom but married into an Eagles family, I’m already bracing for another “house divided” Super Bowl. (At least Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show will give us a brief moment of unity!) But beyond my personal football drama, 2025 is already proving to be a year of profound challenges and opportunities for our association community. The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have us watching closely, particularly as we think about ASAE Annual later this year. Meanwhile, seismic shifts in federal DEI policy and nonprofit taxation have many of us asking: How do we protect our organizations while staying true to our missions? This issue of Association Chat Magazine tackles these questions head-on. Rhonda Payne’s “Winners Keep Score” provides a masterful framework for navigating DEI initiatives in an increasingly complex landscape. Her PRESS framework offers practical guidance for association leaders wrestling with how to maintain momentum on inclusion efforts while adapting to changing circumstances. Lori Anderson’s journey, beautifully captured in our cover story, reminds us that transformational leadership often requires both vulnerability and vision. Her emphasis on human connection and storytelling as leadership tools feels particularly relevant as we navigate this year’s challenges. Speaking of transformation, Elizabeth Peuster’s “Ditch the Annual Plan” challenges us to rethink professional development in an AI-powered world. Her practical approach to “controlled curiosity” offers a fresh perspective on keeping our teams—and ourselves—ahead of the curve. We’re also proud to feature practical guidance on building more inclusive volunteer programs and a clear-eyed look at common association mistakes to avoid. These pieces reflect our commitment to providing both strategic insight and tactical solutions. As we move deeper into 2025, I’m reminded of something Lori Anderson says in our cover story: “Your to-do list will still be there when you die.” In times of rapid change and uncertainty, perhaps the most important thing we can do is pause, take those metaphorical “power naps,” and ensure we’re leading with both purpose and humanity. Whether you’re celebrating or commiserating with me about the Super Bowl outcome (by the time you read this, we’ll know!), I hope this issue provides both inspiration and practical tools for the journey ahead. Here’s to making 2025 a year of meaningful progress, together. KiKi L’Italien Editor-In-Chief, Association Chat Magazine associationchat.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KiKi L’Italien [email protected] PUBLISHING Big Red M 571-814-3443 [email protected] Design & Layout Juliette Miratsky Advertising & Sponsorships [email protected] ASSOCIATION CHAT PODCAST (available on) Apple Spotify Amazon Music LIKE/FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/ @AssociationChat https://www.linkedin.com/ company/associationchat https://www.facebook.com/ groups/associationchat2 Copyright © 2025 Association Chat. All rights reserved. This material may be reprinted only with the expressed written permission of Association Chat.
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