SoCal Summit

Creative Ways to to Promote Your Association and Yourself

Lee Silber, Award Winning Author / Popular Presenter / Design Professional

In this lively and hands-on keynote we’ll explore the best ways to get the word out about who we are, what we do, and what we do for the those we serve. This involves both high tech and high touch, free and almost-free ideas, and tips and techniques that are easy to implement, and produce results right away. Nobody succeeds alone so we’ll also look at the best ways to build our contact list and expand our reach so we can collaborate and get things done faster and easier.  

We’ll focus on how to make the most of our strengths and tendencies so introverts and extroverts can be successful self-promoters and advocates for their association and cause. We’ll discover how to be clear, concise, and compelling with our message and make sure we not only inform, but move others to action. Maybe most important of all, we’ll put the top ten tips into action as we take them for a test drive in this interactive presentation. 

Learning Objectives:

• Implement a mix of high-tech and high-touch strategies—including low-cost, easy-to-use tools—to effectively promote their association and its mission.

• Leverage personal strengths as introverts or extroverts to confidently build connections, grow contact lists, and expand their professional reach for greater impact.

• Craft and deliver clear, concise, and compelling messages that not only inform but inspire others to collaborate and take meaningful action.
  
  

DIY Association Marketing With AI: Real Training, Real Results

Kelly Gagnon Hernandez, CEO, Nonprofit Marketing Nerds

Discover how to put AI tools to work in your association’s marketing without the overwhelm. This engaging 90-minute session is designed to be practical, enjoyable, and immediately useful. You will walk away with an actionable 90-day implementation plan tailored to your marketing efforts, helping you buy back time without spending money.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key AI tools that associations can implement immediately for marketing efficiency.
• Create a streamlined workflow for generating and optimizing content across platforms.
• Apply AI-driven analytics to improve member engagement and track ROI.
  
  

Leading Change with Clarity: Aligning People, Strategy, and Culture for Lasting Impact

Alison Teitelbaum, MS, MPH, CAE, Founder & Principal Consultant

Change is constant—but momentum is fragile. Whether it’s restructuring teams, implementing a new strategy, or shifting organizational culture, leaders often face resistance, fatigue, and uncertainty. This session will equip you with a practical framework for leading organizational change with intention, empathy, and structure. Through real-world examples and actionable tools, you’ll learn how to align stakeholders, sustain energy, and ensure that change efforts don’t stall but instead move your organization forward with confidence.

Learning Objectives

• Apply a structured approach to organizational change that balances strategy, process, and culture while minimizing disruption.
• Strengthen stakeholder alignment by using empathy-driven communication to build trust, address resistance, and foster engagement throughout the change process.
• Sustain momentum during transformation by setting clear milestones, measuring progress, and reinforcing organizational priorities over time.
  
  

From Ideas to Action

Lee Silber, Award Winning Author / Popular Presenter / Design Professional

In this closing session, you’ll have the chance to share your biggest “ah-ha” moments and hear what stood out for others. Together, you’ll capture the fresh ideas, concepts, and approaches explored today—so they don’t just stay in this room. You’ll leave with clear, practical ways to bring these insights back to your office and put them into motion. This is your chance to turn inspiration into action and walk away ready to make real change happen.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and capture key takeaways from the day’s sessions that are most relevant to your work.
• Translate fresh insights into practical next steps you can apply immediately in your organization.
• Commit to actionable changes that turn inspiration into measurable impact.

Lee Silber

Award Winning Author / Popular Presenter / Design Professional

Lee Silber brings the fun. His presentations are more like an experience than a speech. Using storytelling, music, humor, audience participation, and activities he brings topics to life—and has done so for over 25 years. He gave his first speech as a young entrepreneur and co-founder a chain of action sports stores in Southern California. The audience, middle schoolers. The event, career day. Since that time he has given over 2,400 presentations, written 26 books (including two best sellers), and hosted a popular podcast with over 400 episodes to date. Lee lives in Mission Beach, California with his wife and kids, and in his free time is the drummer for the Mission Hillzbillyz Band.

Kelly Gagnon Hernandez, CEO

Nonprofit Marketing Nerds

Kelly Hernandez is the CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Nerds, a boutique agency helping associations and nonprofits cut through the noise and connect through bold, strategic storytelling. With nearly a decade of experience leading marketing efforts in the nonprofit sector—including her time as PR & Development Director for a $16M nonprofit—Kelly knows firsthand the pressure of high expectations and limited resources. Kelly and her team of Nonprofit Marketing Nerds partner with associations and nonprofits to boost visibility, engagement, and fundraising. In 2024 alone, 92% of clients exceeded their “reach” goals thanks to data-informed strategies, standout creative, and a team that knows how to bring big ideas to life. Kelly’s approach is clear-cut: ditch the jargon, embrace real storytelling, and use tech (yes, including AI) to get more done with less. She’s passionate about helping mission-driven organizations simplify their marketing and amplify their impact—without burning out their teams. As host of Social Trailblazers video podcast and Nonprofit Marketing Nerd YouTube channel, Kelly shares tips and tools to help nonprofits and associations show up, stand out, and stay ahead. When she’s not working with clients or filming content, Kelly and her husband Luis Felipe split time between the Midwest and Mexico City as full-time travelers and Airbnb hosts.  

Alison Teitelbaum, MS, MPH, CAE, Founder & Principal Consultant

AST Strategies

Alison Teitelbaum, MPH, MS, CAE, is a dynamic leader with two decades of experience guiding associations through change and transformation. She specializes in strategic planning, change management, and volunteer leadership development, helping organizations build sustainable success while navigating complex challenges. Alison is known for fostering collaboration, building empowered teams, and aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared vision. Her approach emphasizes creating strong, scalable organizational frameworks that support long-term growth and adaptability. A passionate advocate for mission-driven leadership, Alison excels at engaging volunteer leaders to drive initiatives forward while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. A Certified Association Executive with advanced degrees in Public Health and Psychology, Alison combines a strategic mindset with a people-centered approach to leadership. Her expertise in cultivating resilient organizations and high-performing teams makes her a sought-after thought leader and presenter in the association management community.