In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, sits down with Melissa Loner, MBA, QAS, Chief Executive Officer of the National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP), one of the 2025 Association Insights Comm Impact Award winners.

NSCP was recognized for its thoughtful, transparent internal communications strategy during the leadership transition from longtime Executive Director Lisa Crossley to Melissa’s leadership. From early board and member communications to a symbolic passing-of-the-baton moment at the organization’s national conference, the transition reflected what a mission-driven, people-first approach to change can look like.

🎧 In this conversation, Melissa unpacks what made the transition work, why transparency matters so much in association leadership, and what other organizations can learn from NSCP’s award-winning approach.

Key Highlights

Why NSCP’s mission resonates so deeply: Melissa shares how NSCP supports compliance professionals across the financial services industry through education, advocacy, and connection, while creating a trusted community for professionals navigating complex regulatory environments.

Reframing succession as a celebration: Rather than treating leadership change as something quiet or uncertain, NSCP intentionally positioned this transition as a celebration of Lisa Crossley’s legacy and the organization’s next chapter.

How thoughtful sequencing built trust: Melissa explains why board alignment, member communication, and phased announcements were so important to making the transition feel smooth, reassuring, and grounded in continuity.

Why transparency and over-communication matter: Melissa reflects on the role honest, clear communication plays in membership organizations, where trust and continuity are essential.

What internal succession really looks like: Coming from within the organization offered deep knowledge and credibility, but Melissa also shares the surprises, risks, and learning curves that came with stepping into the CEO role.

Lessons for other association leaders: From staying open to learning to not letting fear of mistakes create paralysis, Melissa offers practical insight for leaders planning succession and navigating change.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, communications, and how associations can handle transition with clarity, trust, and purpose.

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Coming Soon: We’re continuing to feature association professionals sharing top trends, leadership insights, and strategies shaping the future of the association space. Stay tuned.

In this solocast episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, takes a step back to reflect on the evolving role of communications leadership in associations.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working alongside associations across healthcare, transportation, finance, workforce development, and professional services, Colleen shares the leadership lessons, patterns, and strategies that separate organizations that simply communicate from those that become the trusted voice in their industry.

Whether you're leading communications, marketing, advocacy, or membership engagement, this episode offers practical insights on how associations can strengthen trust, shape conversations, and position themselves as go-to sources of expertise.

Key Highlights

Seven Lessons in Communications LeadershipColleen reflects on key lessons from her career working with associations—from the central role of trust and authenticity to the importance of strategic focus, crisis preparedness, and leadership judgment in an increasingly complex media environment.

Navigating Politicized and Complex IssuesAs industries face increased public scrutiny and political pressure, associations are being called on to provide credible perspectives while maintaining trust with stakeholders.

The Rising Importance of the CEO VoiceFrom thought leadership to media interviews and LinkedIn visibility, executive leadership is playing a growing role in shaping how associations communicate with members, media, and policymakers.

Why Member Stories Matter More Than EverThe most powerful communications asset associations have may be their own members. When organizations elevate real-world stories and experiences, they humanize complex issues and bring industry challenges to life.

Becoming the Go-To Voice in an IndustryColleen breaks down six factors that help associations become trusted sources for journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders—from proactive messaging and consistent narratives to research, executive visibility, and strong media relationships.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful look at what it really takes for associations to build credibility, shape conversations, and lead with authority in today’s rapidly evolving communications environment.

Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Coming Soon: We’re continuing the conversation with association professionals and industry leaders sharing the trends, insights, and real-world strategies shaping the future of associations.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes exploring communications, leadership, member engagement, and the evolving role associations play in helping industries navigate change.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher welcomes back Louise St. Germain, Interim Executive Director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) for a powerful conversation on leadership during transition, global scale, and what it truly takes to maintain stability while building momentum.

After more than a decade in senior leadership at the ISTH—and over two decades in global health communications, advocacy, and crisis response—Louise has stepped into the organization’s top leadership role during a pivotal period. With 7,500 members across 120 countries and major milestones ahead—including the 2026 Congress in Paris—she shares what it means to lead with humility, curiosity, and clarity.

🎧 Whether you’re navigating executive succession, scaling global impact, or supporting teams through change, this episode offers grounded insight for association leaders at every level.

Key Highlights

Continuity Lives in People, Not the Org Chart: Rather than focusing solely on structure during leadership transitions, Louise emphasizes investing in relationships, culture, and mentorship. Succession planning, she reminds us, is a strategic responsibility—not a crisis response.

Leading at a Truly Global Scale: With members across 120 countries, the ISTH operates in a deeply multicultural environment. Louise shares why humility and lifelong curiosity are critical—and why global leadership requires listening before assuming your frame of reference is universal.

Crisis Communications as Executive Leadership Training: Louise’s background in crisis and advocacy communications has sharpened her ability to lead with clarity under pressure—knowing what you know, being honest about what you don’t, and creating enough calm and consistency for teams to stay oriented during uncertainty.

Building Sustainable Leadership Pipelines: For associations planning executive succession, Louise offers clear advice: plan earlier than you think you need to, invest continuously in leadership development, and build cultures of mentorship that create internal pathways for growth.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, energizing conversation on stewardship, stability, global collaboration, and how association leaders can guide organizations confidently through moments of change.

Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Coming Soon

We’re continuing to sit down with association professionals across sectors to share candid perspectives on top trends, emerging challenges, and the strategies leaders are using to move their organizations forward. Stay tuned for what’s next.