6 Degrees of Associations: Presented by Core Adventures Core Adventures

Bringing over two decades of experience in serving association members, Leakhena Swett joins the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast this week for a conversation with our host, Lucas McCann.

Leakhena is the newly appointed President of the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) and shares her fascinating career journey with us in today’s episode. Starting as a temp at the Irrigation Association, she navigated through various roles, ultimately finding her passion in association management.

During the interview, Leakhena reflects on her ascent within ILTA, from building their membership department to eventually taking on the role of interim president and, finally, president. She emphasizes the importance of relationship-building through meaningful member interactions and active listening and shares the valuable lessons she has learned along the way.


About this Podcast
Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine.

Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

The Six Degrees of Associations Podcast is honored to host a timely discussion on the art of marketing, communications, and advertising in the world of associations and beyond this week, featuring our guest American Marketing Association (AMA) CEO Bennie F. Johnson.

As marketing continues to change at a rapid pace, certain enduring qualities have never been more important. As we learn in today’s chat, returning to the fundamentals of marketing is crucially important as the proliferation of A.I. in our field continues to grow.

AI tools can enhance efficiency, provide insights, and automate tasks, but they do not replace the need for core marketing strategies.

Bennie joins our show to discuss his organization’s ongoing efforts to keep marketers nationwide updated, connected, and educated on the latest trends and drastic changes in audience engagement that seem to happen at the drop of a hat.

Founded in 1937, the AMA is the world's largest community-based marketing association. According to their official mission, the AMA strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, serving as an essential community for marketers.

Learn More: https://www.ama.org/

About This Podcast
Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine.

Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

Associations are complex by nature. This week on our Six Degrees of Associations Podcast, we are joined by David Gammel, who provides insight into how his prolific consulting experience has helped him become an effective executive while navigating the many layers of an association.

David currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

His journey into associations began unexpectedly after moving to Washington, D.C. After several years as a consultant, he transitioned back to association leadership, bringing with him a deep understanding of strategic alignment and execution.

His consulting background taught him to diagnose issues quickly, understand organizational dynamics, and work effectively with stakeholders.

This experience helps him navigate the complexities of association management, ensuring that different perspectives align towards common goals. In this interview, David also shares insights on effectively working with consultants, and the importance of storytelling and communication in leadership roles. According to David, even budgets can be seen as narratives that need to be communicated effectively to various stakeholders such as board members, staff, and the general membership.

About this Podcast
Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine.

Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

In this week’s episode of the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast, we’re talking with KiKi L'Italien, the Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement with Big Red M and Editor-in-Chief of Association Chat. She is an accomplished community builder and speaker on the topics of technology, community, and trust.



Much of today’s discussion explores the metaphor of associations being like a 'small town' and emphasizes the necessity of trust as the core component of working directly within an association or serving it as a vendor.



She is a passionate advocate for advancing the association community as a whole, with a track record of innovation and pushing boundaries through her work with Association Chat and beyond.



With anecdotes and insights on today’s chat, she discusses the love-hate relationship many folks working for associations possesses, while highlighting the immense potential and responsibility they hold.



From the evolution of Association Chat from a tweet chat to a multimedia platform, KiKi delves into its role as a community hub. Other topics explored at length within today’s interview include:




The future of Association Chat and how it serves folks working in associations.
What vendors need to understand about associations if they want to service this industry successfully.
The challenges of technology adoption in associations.



Learn More: https://associationchat.com/



About this Podcast

Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine.



Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

We are joined by Cheretta A. Clerkley MBA, CASE, CME, Executive Director of Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) on this week’s edition of the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast. Cheretta leads us in an insightful conversation about her journey through the world of associations and the transformative power of effective communication and strategic planning.

From her early career in local government to her role as an executive director, she shares her experiences navigating the complex landscape of associations and discusses her transition from marketing and communications roles to leadership, highlighting the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped her career path.

One of the key themes of the discussion is the importance of finding one's voice and using it to drive change. Cheretta also explores the challenges of change management and the value of storytelling in crafting compelling stories to lead organizational growth. Through her passion for communication, strategic planning, and mentorship, Cheretta embodies the spirit of leadership and innovation in the association space and beyond.

About this Podcast
Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine.

Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/

Celia Chomón Zamora, PhD, CAE, Director of Professional Learning and Certification at ACTFL, is our guest on this week’s episode of the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast. In addition to her CAE certification, she is a DELP Scholar. She earned her doctorate in Spanish Applied Linguistics from Georgetown University. She is a dedicated lifelong learner, educator, and advocate of languages and language education.

Dr. Zamora joins our show to share her journey from a competitive high schooler to a passionate advocate for language education. With a background in linguistics and a dedication to lifelong learning, she found her calling in associations, driven by a desire to empower others. Embracing a leadership style rooted in empathy, transparency, and a growth mindset, she mentors young leaders, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Through her inspiring story, she emphasizes the importance of communication and authenticity in leadership, shaping a future where everyone has equitable access to language education.

About this Podcast
Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Core Adventures, is a weekly podcast dedicated to real-world professional development knowledge for individuals working within all facets of associations. Folks wear many hats in an association, and our podcast keeps up with the shifting demands of today’s nonprofit workforce by interviewing today’s most influential people in the association universe, including consultants, to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and how the future will shape out. If you are an 'association lifer' like we are, make Six Degrees of Associations part of your Wednesday morning routine.

Learn more: https://coreadventures.com/