Meda Merritt

My journey into the association world was unexpected. I was working in finance in the automotive industry for about 5 years when we took a downturn and I was getting laid off. I was in the process of looking for a job and didn't know anything about the association world - I just started applying for positions. One of the first associations reached out about a coordinator position, and that started my association journey 15 years ago in 2011. What I discovered is that I loved the possibility of working with others, helping others, and meeting new people. I'm passionate about hearing members' experiences and how they're passionate about their particular industries. I've worked for 4 associations so far, and seeing how each member became part of the association and what drew them in is always exciting for me. I ended up staying in the association field because I love the flexibility and the work-life balance it allows. Today, my main area of expertise is membership and marketing, and my key responsibilities focus on recruitment, retention, and engagement. My most notable professional achievement has been achieving my CAE (Certified Association Executive) credentials.