Association Transformation
Association Transformation
Brewer Pratt Solutions & Elevated
Welcome to Association Transformation, a transatlantic conversation advancing the impact and evolution of non-profit organizations. We're always seeking diversity of thought and new examples of innovation in action. That and a commitment to mission driven organizations spurred this collaboration between the teams at Brewer Pratt Solutions and Elevated. Together with our special guests, each episode we take a deep dive into the issues, topics, challenges and opportunities facing the association community. Between us we’ve been there, done it, got the t-shirt: membership, mergers, boards and leadership, advocacy, and education - nothing is off limits. Any subject that effects non-profits, their survival or their success is up for discussion. 
Recovery is Not Success: The Case for Anti-Fragile Associations
Send us Fan Mail What if the goal isn’t to bounce back… but to move forward stronger? In this latest episode of Association Transformation, co-hosts Elisa Pratt (Brewer Pratt Solutions) and Andrew Chamberlain (Elevated) unpack a bold idea: 👉 Stability isn’t success—and recovery may actually be holding associations back. Recorded (literally) from the road as Elisa drives home from the Pennsylvania Society of Association Executives conference, this conversation challenges leaders to rethink res...
Mar 23
16 min
🎙️ Navigating the Ethics Minefield
Send us Fan Mail March is National Ethics Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to talk about something every association faces, but few discuss honestly: ethics in leadership. In the newest episode of Association Transformation, co-hosts Elisa Pratt of Brewer Pratt Solutions and Andrew Chamberlain of Elevated unpack what ethical governance really looks like inside associations. Not just policies. Not just conflict-of-interest forms. And definitely not a once-a-year board training ...
Mar 16
33 min
Let's explore the new MXC!!
Send a text 🚨 Breaking news in the membership world. A new professional certification for membership leaders has just launched and we got the inside scoop first. In the newest episode of Association Transformation, co-hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain sit down with Sarah Sladek to discuss the launch of the Membership Excellence Certification (MXC). This conversation goes beyond the announcement. We dig into: 🔹 Why membership leadership deserves its own professional credential 🔹 What as...
Mar 8
33 min
🎙️ The Upside Down of Dues: Pricing vs. Perception
Send a text Membership dues feel maxed out. But the financial pressure on associations keeps rising. In the latest episode of Association Transformation, co-hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain sit down with Dr. Michael Carr-Tatonetti, CPP, CAE, Certified Pricing Professional and CEO of Pricing for Associations, to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface. This conversation explores: ▪️ Why dues increases are hitting resistance ▪️ How perception — not math — drives pricing succe...
Feb 22
33 min
Is the juice worth the squeeze? 🍊
Send a text In the latest episode of the Association Transformation Podcast, Elisa Pratt of Brewer Pratt Solutions and Andrew Chamberlain of Elevated tackle a tough question for association and nonprofit leaders: 👉 Are foundations advancing mission and impact, or quietly draining time, money, and focus? They dig into why foundations get created, why they’re so hard to unwind, and how leaders can honestly assess whether a foundation is truly adding value—or becoming a distraction. This episode...
Feb 8
28 min
Fighting for Members but Undervaluing Association Staff
Send a text What happens when associations aggressively advocate for their members, while quietly shortchanging the professionals who make that advocacy possible? In Episode 167, Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain unpack a timely and uncomfortable case from the UK that exposes a deeper, sector-wide challenge: how perceived value, power, and authority shape decisions about association staff compensation, governance, and respect. Using the current British Medical Association staff dispute as a ...
Jan 25
43 min
Rethinking Association Events
Send us a text Tired of expensive conferences with ten competing tracks, swag bags that collect dust, and exhibitors standing awkwardly behind tables? So is Gordon Glenister. In this episode, the CEO of Membership World joins Andrew and Elisa to share his upcoming UK road show—a bold experiment in intimate, regional events designed around one question: How do we actually engage members in an increasingly noisy world? Gordon breaks down what he's doing differently: → Four locations bringing co...
Jan 19
25 min
The Year of Courageous Associations: Letting Go, Leaning In, and Leading Forward
Send us a text As associations head into 2026, the pressure to prove relevance, sharpen focus, and deliver measurable member value has never been greater. In Episode 165 of Association Transformation, Andrew Chamberlain and Elisa Pratt are joined by Grant Carpenter of Raybourn Group International for a candid conversation about what association leaders must stop doing, start doing, and seriously rethink. From moving beyond pre-COVID benchmarks and sunsetting “sacred cow” programs, to redefini...
Jan 12
31 min
400 Resumes Later: Real Talk on Landing Your Next Association Role
Send us a text In this special holiday episode of Association Transformation, host Elisa Pratt is joined by Brewer Pratt Solutions' Client Solutions Coordinator Jess Bellamy for a candid conversation about the current job market in the association space. Fresh from completing an employee search that received over 400 applications, they pull back the curtain on the hiring process and share practical, no-nonsense tips for job seekers. From crafting effective cover letters to perfecting yo...
Jan 4
20 min
The Real Challenges Facing Trade Association CEOs
Send us a text Susan Avery, CAE, CEO of the Performance Plastics Association, joins us to expose why trade associations have become the "forgotten format" in association management. With 28 years spanning both sides of the association world, Susan reveals critical differences between serving companies versus individuals that most "best practices" completely miss. We discuss how the trade association CEO role has shifted from mission-driven to entrepreneurial, why governance models that work f...
Nov 23, 2025
30 min
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