Making DEI Matter: From Principle to Practice
Boardroom Association Podcast
Making DEI Matter: From Principle to Practice At one of the world’s largest oncology congresses this year — amid the science, research, and policy discussions — a Pride side-event took place. It was a small but powerful reminder that visibility and representation matter, even in the most traditional spaces. That moment opens this episode of the Boardroom Association Podcast, where host Naomi Smith explores how associations, large and small, can turn diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into action—especially in today’s climate, where inclusion is increasingly under scrutiny. ...
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Association Events – The Leadership Imperative
Boardroom Association Podcast
What really goes on behind the scenes of your association’s flagship events? In this episode of the Boardroom Association Podcast, host Naomi Smith lifts the curtain on congresses, conferences, and summits—the moments that leaders attend and celebrate, but rarely see in full. From the marathon planning to last-minute problem-solving, events are more than logistics—they’re strategic tools for visibility, influence, and community building. Featured in this episode: Fanny Senez, Head of Events at the European Cancer Organisation – on why congresses are the peak of an...
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Governance – Leadership in Action
Boardroom Association Podcast
Kicking off Season 2 of the Boardroom Association Podcast, this episode dives into the layered world of governance—not as a dry checklist, but as a living system that shapes trust, purpose, and performance. Simone De Ioanna, Executive Director of the European Psychiatric Association, brings a human lens to governance—revealing it as something deeply layered and full of potential. Beatrice Richez-Baum, Director General at ecoDa, takes us into governance’s structural core—sharing why leaders must review governance regularly and see it as a strategic enabler, not a...
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The Superpower of Empathy
Boardroom Association Podcast
In The Superpower of Empathy, host Naomi Smith explores how association leaders are turning the often-overlooked quality of empathy into a strategic force—for both their teams and their members. Martina deSole, Director of ENOLL, opens up about facing burnout within her team early in her leadership—and how empathy and structured mental health policies helped rebuild trust and resilience. Birgit Poniatowski, Executive Director of the International AIDS Society, shares how long-term community engagement and active listening are central to the IAS’s global impact. Also featuring...
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Adaptability and Innovation - Leading Through Change
Boardroom Association Podcast
In this episode of Leading Through Change – Adaptability & Innovation, host Naomi Smith speaks with association leaders who didn’t just weather disruption—they used it as a springboard for transformation. Dianna Steinbach, Senior Vice President at IMA, shares how the association pivoted when a major revenue stream collapsed. Typhaine Beauperin, CEO of FERMA, reflects on how a shift from sponsorship to partnerships gave her organisation the resilience it needed to thrive during the pandemic. Also featured is Steph Davidson from the National MS Society, who outlines a...
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Leading with Vision and Purpose
Boardroom Association Podcast
Welcome to Unlocking the Art of Exceptional Leadership, a three-part series exploring the qualities that define impactful leaders. On this first episode, host Naomi Smith speaks with two association leaders who’ve shaped their organisations through bold vision and purpose-driven leadership. She first talks to Paolo Falcioni, Director General of APPLiA, who shares how a daring rebranding effort—pitched aboard a rocking boat in Stockholm—redefined his association’s identity and purpose. Then, in conversation with Rosa Armesto Plaja, Director General of FESE, they explore how...
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Welcome to the Boardroom Podcast
Boardroom Association Podcast
Welcome to the Boardroom Podcast, a new initiative exploring the people, ideas, and stories shaping the future of associations. We’re very happy to bring you in-depth discussions on the latest trends impacting the association world, from leadership to strategy to member engagement and beyond. Produced in collaboration with our partner, the European Society of Association Executives, this is your go-to resource for navigating the evolving landscape of associations. If you have a story idea, please contact us—we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at...
info_outlineWelcome to Unlocking the Art of Exceptional Leadership, a three-part series exploring the qualities that define impactful leaders.
On this first episode, host Naomi Smith speaks with two association leaders who’ve shaped their organisations through bold vision and purpose-driven leadership. She first talks to Paolo Falcioni, Director General of APPLiA, who shares how a daring rebranding effort—pitched aboard a rocking boat in Stockholm—redefined his association’s identity and purpose. Then, in conversation with Rosa Armesto Plaja, Director General of FESE, they explore how self-awareness is the cornerstone of authentic leadership.
The Boardroom Association Podcast is a podcast from Boardroom Magazine, produced in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE), and powered by Congrex Switzerland.