Is your association looking for new ways to reach and engage with Gen Y and Zers and keep their attention?
Gen Y and Zers have grown up in the arms of digital media and have only ever known the convenience of high-speed internet and expect the highest quality digital experience.
Join our AuSAE Next-Gen leaders and gain insights into the techniques and strategies that some associations use to engage and inspire the next generation members. Our special guests are Jessica Keough of Auscontact Association; Thomas Dunsmore of Australian Boarding Schools Association; Christina Zerk of the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia; and Kerrie Green of Institute of Public Accountants.
Date: 10 November 2021
Time: 10am-11am AEDT | 9am-10am Brisbane
Meet our Panel of Next-Gen Leaders
Jessica Keough
National Committee & Events Manager, Auscontact Association
As Auscontact Committee and Events Manager, Jessica is responsible for developing and executing the association’s activities ensuring a deep and strong relationship with Members and volunteers alike. Jessica is a passionate advocate of the industry, who thrives on interacting with the Member community - both practitioners and technologists which together provide great customer experiences that make up this critical component of everyday life.
Jessica’s career has including working within the customer contact industry at Bauer Media and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. As a result of this, Jessica has an intimate understanding of the Member cohort’s challenges and needs.
Jessica has been working within the association for 9 years having been part of the merger of the ATA and CCMA in 2014.
Discretionary effort from volunteers is key to the association’s success nationwide and Jessica’s Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology provides her with the skills to understand the drivers of each volunteer.
Tom Dunsmore
General Manager, Australian Boarding Schools Association
Tom Dunsmore is the General Manager at the Australian Boarding Schools Association. He was privileged to receive recognition as a 2020 Association Influencer by AuSAE. ABSA delivers a high-quality service to all boarding schools within the Asia-Pacific region. Their areas of expertise are within professional development and training, consultancy and reviews of services, standards and accreditation and member relationships. ABSA offers an extensive partnership arrangement with many organisations that provide the highest quality and relevant services to assist our schools. Our strategy is to 'create the future for boarding schools’ and we focus on building strong relationships with the staff involved in boarding. Over the past 18 months ABSA has successfully pivoted to offer their point of difference through an engaging and active online presence.
Christina Zerk 
Membership Officer, Dental Hygienists Association of Australia
Christina is a registered dental hygienist and the National Membership and Admin Officer for the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia.
Christina started her journey with DHAA as a volunteer student representative on a state based committee before stepping into more leadership roles on local committees before finally taking on the role as Membership Officer in 2019. Christina has utilsed her keen interest in technology and digital platforms to take on and maintain the DHAA website, Member Portal and social media platforms to engage with members. Her clinical experience working in dental practices has been extremely valuable in providing insights into what her members want and need and has been an asset in helping empathise with members.
Outside of her full time role with DHAA, Christina is studying a Bachelor of Design (majoring in Communication Design) and volunteers managing a competitive online based eSports team.
Kerrie Green 
Member Engagement Manager, Institute of Public Accountants
Kerrie is a dedicated association professional with over 9 years’ experience working in membership organisations. As Member Engagement Manager at the Institute of Public Accountants, Kerrie is responsible for developing and executing the association’s engagement plan, ensuring the seamless delivery of member services across all stages of the member life cycle.
Kerrie has held positions in member experience, membership management, communications and events with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the Australasian Society of Association Executives, Family Business Australia and the Australian Medical Association.
Kerrie is passionate about nurturing and growing membership communities, providing value for members and enhancing member connections.
Kerrie holds a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania and a Masters in Business (Marketing) from the Queensland University of Technology.
If you are interested in sharing your association's recent experience and learnings with your industry colleagues, please contact info@ausae.org.au
