Did you know that a loss of smell or taste can be an early indicator of Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s and other dementias? And in an environment where smell and taste disorders are underdiagnosed, underfunded, and often dismissed, how can an association step in to educate patients, influence research, and push for better care?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Pamela Silberman, Co-Founder, Board Member, and Treasurer of the Smell and Taste Association of North America (STANA). Pamela discusses:

• How STANA is the first patient organization in the United States, Canada, and Mexico focused on people living with smell and taste dysfunction.
• The many causes of smell and taste disorders, including congenital conditions, infections, allergies, traumatic brain injuries, sinus issues, aging, and COVID-19.
• How millions of people are affected by smell and taste dysfunction.
• Pamela’s personal journey after permanently losing her sense of smell following a sinus infection, and how that experience led her to help found STANA.
• Why STANA advocates for routine and universal smell and taste testing, both to improve diagnosis and to identify links to other conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other dementias.
• How smell and taste dysfunction can affect mental health, nutrition, safety, social confidence, and overall quality of life.
• How STANA supports patients through education, virtual community, programming, and practical conversations about cooking, nutrition, texture, and adapting to flavor loss.
• How STANA is pushing for more patient-centered research by training patients to serve as research partners, not just research subjects.

References:

• STANA Website

What happens when corporate citizenship is no longer a “nice to have,” but a business imperative under scrutiny? And how can associations help members prove value when the environment turns uncertain?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Andrea Wood, President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP). Andrea discusses:

• How ACCP serves professionals responsible for corporate social responsibility (CSR), social impact (CSI), and ESG efforts, acting as liaisons between businesses and communities.
• The critical importance of making the business case, linking CSR to employee recruitment, retention, morale, reputation, and financial performance.
• How younger workforce expectations are accelerating demand for meaningful corporate community engagement.
• Why the most effective CSR strategies embrace a shared value approach, simultaneously benefiting the business and the community.
• How ACCP supports members with practical, ready-to-use toolkits and resources so small teams don’t have to “start from scratch.”
• ACCP’s evolving engagement strategy: virtual summits, sold-out in-person conferences, regional meetups, and targeted programming for career stages.
• How ACCP is helping members navigate political and economic scrutiny by doubling down on data, research, and clear communication of impact.
• The role of associations as extensions of staff for under-resourced members who need insights, benchmarking, and peer support.
• Andrea’s leadership approach: listening deeply, staying informed on external trends, and rapidly adapting programming to meet the moment.

References:

• ACCP Website
• Making The Case

How do you rebuild an association that is struggling financially, operationally, and reputationally, and turn it into an organization that members are excited to invest in?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Eric Ellman, President of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA). Eric discusses:

• How NCRA represents mortgage reporting companies and tenant screening companies that provide regulated data to mortgage lenders, landlords, and property managers.
• How NCRA members act as the “go-betweens” of the industry, combining data from credit bureaus and public records to help mortgage lenders and landlords assess risk in housing.
• Why the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the governing touchstone of the industry and how it functions as a foundational privacy law.
• How trust sits at the center of the consumer reporting ecosystem, from consumers, to data furnishers, to reporting agencies, to end users.
• Why Eric says he is having more fun in this role than at any other point in his career, thanks to culture, trust, and the ability to make a meaningful impact quickly.
• How he inherited an association in significant financial trouble and immediately focused on stabilizing finances, improving communications, revamping branding, and strengthening public policy work.
• How NCRA reimagined its annual conference by rebranding it as Elevate, upgrading the content, creating stronger sponsor value, and building energy around the event experience.
• How Eric personally led sponsor conversations, helped generate record-breaking sponsorship support, and brought in nine new sponsors in roughly 14 months.
• How NCRA asked members for a special assessment, explained the financial situation transparently, and earned overwhelming member support through a compelling vision for the future.
• What’s ahead for NCRA in 2026, including continued growth, stronger advocacy, and Elevate 2026 in New Orleans.

References:

• NCRA Website