Four years ago, we launched Strategico with a mission to help associations make smarter decisions about technology and data without losing sight of their people.
Since then, we’ve worked alongside dozens of association leaders through some of the most pivotal (and pressure-filled) moments of their organizational journeys.
As we celebrate our fourth anniversary, we’re reflecting on the lessons you have taught us. And we’re sharing the common threads that connect successful change efforts, from AMS transitions and BI dashboards to governance overhauls and adoption strategies.
What We’ve Learned from Association Leaders
These aren’t abstract best practices. These are the real, grounded lessons that show up again and again across client engagements and mirror the change resolutions we shared in January:
Let’s look at each through the lens of leaders who’ve walked the path.
Jamie Lewis, Director of Technology at the Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI), stepped into his role with a mandate to fix their AMS without formal IT training, and under immense organizational pressure. But rather than jumping into a quick fix, she asked us for help.
Together, we interviewed stakeholders, mapped business needs, and built a phased roadmap to increase organizational efficiency using technology.
“Collaborating with Strategico ensured a smooth process. Their deep understanding of the association space enabled seamless communication across our team.”
— Jamie Lewis, IWI
The result: A people-first technology roadmap that built trust and traction.
Lesson reinforced: Adoption is a process, not a switch you flip.
2. Communication Wins — Every Time
When The Monitoring Association (TMA) found themselves with an aging AMS, CEO Celia T. Besore needed more than just a rescue plan, she needed clarity, advocacy, and a partner who could communicate across silos and vendors.
We served as TMA’s voice in vendor conversations, translated technical roadmaps for the board, and kept the team aligned through steady, transparent messaging.
“The Strategico team had our backs in all vendor meetings. They understood our association and felt like team members themselves.”
— Celia T. Besore, CEO, TMA
The result: Rebuilt confidence and a go-forward plan the board could rally around.
Lesson reinforced: Communication doesn’t follow change, it drives it.
Champions Carry the Middle
Union Lawyers Alliance (ULA) brought us on to help with an AMS selection and implementation. The project was filled with navigating vendor difficulties and mounting frustration. The leadership team was committed, but the execution was stalling.
Strategico helped re-establish vendor communications, created weekly decision-action check-ins, ensure the scope of the project was clear, and identified champions who could own the work and keep it moving.
“Strategico remained proactive, guiding us through each step with expert problem-solving and clear communication.”
— Alex Roe, Managing Counsel, ULA
The result: A stabilized launch, cleaner data, and a more confident internal team.
Lesson reinforced: Champions don’t just support change, they sustain it.
4. Data Only Works When the Culture Supports It
At TEDCO leadership had access to a wide range of data but struggled to align it to decision-making. CFO/COO Terry Rauh brought Strategico in to help turn that data into action.
We built data roadmap and a proof of concept executive dashboard that was aligned to the organizations strategic goals.
“Strategico’s tailored approach has been invaluable in helping us meet our goals.”
— Terry Rauh, CFO/COO, TEDCO
The result: A culture of clarity, with dashboards that drove conversation, not confusion.
Lesson reinforced: Good data needs good habits behind it.
Final Thought: Seasoned, Still Curious
Four years in, we’ve seen that real change isn’t about systems or structure.
It’s about leaders, like the ones above, who are willing to slow down, speak clearly, build buy-in, and measure what matters.
If you’re leading change in 2025, know this:
You don’t need to go it alone. And you don’t need to do it the hard way.
Let’s work together to make sure your next big investment doesn’t just launch, it land
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No pressure. No pitch. Just a conversation about how we can help make your strategy stick.