In this special holiday bonus episode of Better By Association, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert sit down with Juan Bendana, motivational speaker, confidence expert, and opening keynote speaker for the 2025 New Ideas Annual Conference. Together, they unwrap the power of embracing uncertainty, strengthening trust, and leading with authenticity—timely reminders as we close out the year and look ahead to new beginnings. Juan draws on his work with high-performing teams to share how curiosity, energy management, and individual motivation can spark meaningful growth. The episode ends with a warm reflection on the importance of community and connection within associations, especially during seasons of change and celebration.

This episode is sponsored by Association Briefings.

Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, recorded live at TSAE’s New Ideas Annual Conference in San Antonio, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert sit down with Christian Malesic, MBA, CAE, CMP, IOM, an eight-time CEO with more than 28 years of leadership experience. Christian shares his remarkable path from Air Force officer to association executive, highlighting the strategies and mindset that have guided his success in organizational turnarounds. He discusses the critical role of strong governance, financial discipline, and relationship-building in driving meaningful change, while also reflecting on his passion for nonprofit work and lifelong learning. Packed with practical insights and real-world experience, this conversation offers valuable guidance for both emerging and seasoned association leaders.

Better by Association is produced by Association Briefings.

Show Notes

Christian D. Malesic, MBA, CAE, CMP, IOM is an eight-time CEO with over 28 years of experience. He motivates audiences as a speaker, trainer, & lecturer and moves needles as a Turnaround CEO, consultant, and recognized expert in Association Management.

His peers continue to recognize his servant’s heart with numerous national and state awards from various organizations for many and varied industry accomplishments. Most notably, he was heralded in 2012 as the nation’s Best New Executive Officer and is the 2024 Dallas / Fort Worth Association (DFWAE) Executive of the Year and the 2025 CAE of the Year.

With over two dozen nationally published “business-best-practices” articles to his name, Christian is also a resourceful & accomplished executive. He has served on 22 different local, regional, and national Boards himself.

He received his MBA with distinguished honors from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania plus three bachelor’s degrees in: Electrical Engineering & Government from Lehigh University and Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing from Elizabethtown College.

Christian is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and is a graduate of the prestigious Institute for Organizational Management (IOM), the most highly respected program nationwide for Association Management. He is a current member in good standing of the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) and the Dallas / Fort Worth Society of Association Executives (DFWAE).

In this episode, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert welcome Dr. Tracey Wilen, the closing keynote speaker at this year's New Ideas Annual Conference in San Antonio. Dr. Wilen shares her unconventional path from the world of fashion magazines to leadership roles in technology and manufacturing, highlighting how resilience, curiosity, and adaptability shaped her career. The conversation explores the major forces reshaping today’s workplace — rapid technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and global instability — and what professionals need in order to stay relevant. Dr. Wilen discusses the value of continuous learning, the mindset shifts required to navigate change, and how AI can serve as a powerful collaborator rather than a threat. They also talk about the importance of networking, the evolving skills landscape, and the vital role associations play in equipping their members for the future of work.

Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.