Association 101

Set Your Team—and Your Career—Up for Success in the Association World

The association sector has a distinct culture, language, and way of doing business. For professionals new to the field—whether they’re recent graduates or career-changers—it can feel like stepping into a whole new world.

Association 101 is the perfect launchpad. This engaging, high-impact program equips newcomers with the foundational knowledge, insights, and confidence they need to thrive in their roles from day one.

For employers, it’s a smart investment in your talent—help your new hires hit the ground running, boost engagement and retention, and foster a sense of belonging early on.
For professionals, it’s your chance to quickly get up to speed, gain clarity on how associations operate, and connect with a cohort of peers who are navigating the same journey.

Set the stage for long-term success—join us at Association 101.

✏️ Why This Course? 

• Accelerate onboarding and boost confidence – Gain a clear understanding of how associations function, so you can contribute with clarity and purpose from the start.

• Build your professional network early – Connect with fellow newcomers and begin forming relationships that can support your growth throughout your association career.

• Enhance engagement and retention – For employers, it’s a proactive step to increase job satisfaction and loyalty by helping new hires feel prepared, included, and valued.

📚 Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the nature, scope, and unique characteristics of associations.

• Identify strategies and resources to support your career development within the association sector.

• Explain the roles and working dynamics between association staff, volunteers, and members.

• Build meaningful connections with peers new to the industry to expand your professional network.

• Apply your learning toward professional certification by earning 5.67 CAE credits.

👥Who Should Attend?

• Early-career professionals entering the association sector

• Career changers transitioning from other industries into association roles

• New hires in membership, marketing, education, meetings, operations, or any department

• Interns or fellows working in association environments

• Managers looking to onboard team members with a strong foundation in association fundamentals

💡 This is a can’t-miss opportunity to fast-track your success in the association world with insider insights, practical tools, and connections that will serve you for years to come.

🎤 Speakers

MAY 21, 2026
	ROBIN CHAN Robin Chan is an Operations Manager at the Association Management Center and serves the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM). In this role, she oversees association operations and leads the planning and execution of SAHM’s annual meeting, membership initiatives, and governance and awards programs. Her work focuses on strengthening organizational infrastructure, improving member experience, and supporting mission-driven growth. Robin brings more than a decade of experience in association and nonprofit management, with expertise in event strategy, operational excellence, volunteer engagement, and process improvement. She is 2024 ASAE John H. Graham Fund ReadyMe Scholarship recipient and 2025 Association Forum Forty Under 40 honoree. Robin is passionate about equity-centered association work, collaboration, and building sustainable organizations that support both members and volunteer leaders. She earned her BA in Urban & Public Affairs from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
	ANDREA SCHMIDL Andrea Schmidl is a nonprofit management professional with a decade of progressive leadership experience in operations, technology, and organizational strategy. Currently serving as Senior Director of Operations & Technology at the Strategic Management Society (SMS), Andrea plays a key role in shaping and executing long-term operational plans, optimizing systems infrastructure, and supporting governance and board relations. Since joining SMS in 2016, Andrea has progressed through multiple roles, driving key initiatives and participating in all program areas of the organization. Her technology work includes the implementation of an integrated technology ecosystem, leading vendor relationships, and ensuring systems remain current with industry trends. Andrea is experienced in nonprofit governance, including board coordination, leadership onboarding, and election processes. She has also led hiring, onboarding, and mentorship efforts for staff, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and History from Loyola University Chicago. She has been recognized as an Association Forum Forty Under 40 honoree, an Association Forum Emerging Leader, and received the AWTC Technology Champion Award.

🎤 Speakers

OCTOBER 22, 2026
	NIKKI PALLUZZI, CAE Nikki Palluzzi, CAE, is a seasoned association professional with 20 years of experience. She has led membership departments in several associations, and spent 10 years of her career working at Smithbucklin, leading operations and leadership programming for several technology user groups. She launched a DEI initiative at the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors in 2017, and counts that as one of her most meaningful professional experiences. Nikki is most recently serving as the Sr. Director of Membership at the Illinois CPA Society, where her focus is on leading membership experiences for members and outreach to students, young professionals, and women CPAs. Nikki's passion is for communities, and she lives into that through her professional work, as an active Forum volunteer, and by serving on her local school fundraising board and as a volunteer coach.
	JULIE BELLOLI, CAE Julie Belloli is the Chief Experience Officer for HR Source, an employers’ association providing human resources support to more than 1,200 member organizations. She represents HR Source in the business community through industry conference exhibits, sponsorships, and networking opportunities. Julie leads the member engagement efforts of the association, manages the event planning process for two annual conferences, leads the volunteer HR Source Advisory Council and serves as the community manager for HR Exchange, the association’s online member community. As a member of the senior leadership team, Julie is closely involved in HR Source’s strategic planning initiatives. Julie is active in the association community and earned her Certified Association Executive designation in August 2020. She serves on Association Forum’s CAE Working Group and Welcoming Environment Committee. Julie was recognized by Association Forum as a Forty Under 40 honoree in 2014 and by the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce as a Regional 30 Under 40 honoree in 2020.

🎤 Speakers

FEBRUARY 25-26, 2027
	Hazel Oreluk Hazel is a seasoned association research and analytics professional with nearly two decades of experience working inside complex member driven associations. She specializes in helping associations translate data into strategic, board relevant decisions – grounded in a deep understanding of governance, committees, policy environments, and member needs. She currently serves as Director of Research at the American College of Healthcare Executives, and previously held senior research and analytics roles at the American Medical Association, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Across these organizations, Hazel partnered closely with volunteer leaders and cross functional staff to support research, grants, healthcare policy, practice management, and registry initiatives. Her expertise includes survey design, applied statistics, and marketing analytics, with a strong emphasis on practical applications for associations. Hazel is licensed for IRB approved behavioral and social research studies and holds multiple analytics certifications, including Qualtrics Research Core and SPSS for Marketing Analytics.
	TaCarra Bowden Tacarra has deep experience working within complex professional associations and healthcare organizations, translating data into decisions that support governance, operations, and strategy. She is known for helping leaders move from insight to action—bridging technical analytics with real world organizational priorities. Tacarra spent more than a decade working at membership‑based healthcare associations, including as Director of Informatics at the Illinois Health & Hospital Association and Lead Healthcare Statistical Analyst at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.   Across her career, Tacarra has partnered closely with executive leaders, cross‑functional teams, and volunteer stakeholders to support clinical analytics, informatics, and large‑scale data initiatives. Her work spans managing complex analytics portfolios, guiding organizations through data platform transitions, and driving accountability and execution across enterprise initiatives. While highly fluent in advanced analytics tools and methodologies, Tacarra’s strength lies in her ability to translate complex inputs into clear, actionable insights that improve outcomes, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment—particularly in environments that require collaboration, consensus‑building, and practical application.