We Are Associations Campaign
Ambassador Case Study

Vy's story is about how associations create belonging by bringing people together around a shared purpose, empowering members to contribute, connect and grow together.

NAME: Vy Le
ORGANISATION: Australasian College of Dermatologists
POSITION: Director, Professional Development and Member Engagement
INDUSTRY: Health
STATE/COUNTRY: Australasia
YEARS IN ASSOCIATIONS: 18 years

WE ARE ASSOCIATIONS | ASSOCIATION PROFESSIONAL STORIES

The We Are Associations campaign celebrates the people behind associations. Through the stories of Association Professionals, AuSAE showcases the people, purpose and impact behind the organisations that strengthen industries, professions and communities across Australia and New Zealand.

Vy Le, Director, Professional Development and Member Engagement, Australasian College of Dermatologists

Creating Belonging Through Shared Purpose

For Vy Le, association management has always been about people.

Across nearly two decades working in professional associations spanning healthcare, education, research and international membership organisations, she has seen firsthand the power of bringing people together around a shared purpose.

"What I love most is that our industry is incredibly connected and resourceful. We're always willing to support each other and help our members succeed."

Today, as Director of Professional Development and Member Engagement at the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Vy works alongside medical specialists committed to improving patient care and advancing dermatology across Australasia.

For her, the greatest sense of purpose comes from working in organisations whose values align with her own.

Whether supporting members, developing professional education or strengthening engagement, she is motivated by knowing her work contributes to professions that ultimately improve the lives of others.

"My values align with the organisation I work for, the members I support and the industry that gives back to society."

One of Vy's proudest moments isn't a particular project or initiative.

It's when members understand the vision, embrace it and work alongside her to make it successful.

"That's when you know you're building something together."

For Vy, being an Association Professional is about creating an environment where members feel empowered to contribute, collaborate and take ownership of their profession.

CREATING IMPACT

The Australasian College of Dermatologists creates impact by strengthening the profession while improving access to specialist dermatology care across Australasia.

Through advocacy, professional development and member engagement, the College supports dermatologists to remain leaders in their field while helping ensure communities have access to the highest standards of care.

The organisation also provides opportunities for members to connect, collaborate and learn from one another throughout their careers.

For Vy, some of the most rewarding moments come when members share how an initiative, education program or professional development opportunity has positively influenced their careers.

"When members tell me something we've delivered has genuinely helped them, I know we're on the right path."

She believes creating belonging is one of the most important responsibilities of any association.

Drawing inspiration from Adam Grant's Give and Take, Vy believes belonging begins when members actively contribute.

Rather than simply receiving value from an association, members create value by volunteering, sharing knowledge and becoming involved.

In return, they gain connections, opportunities and a deeper sense of ownership.

"The act of giving and taking strengthens engagement and creates a genuine sense of belonging."

When members contribute to their association, they begin to see it as their own.

That shared ownership creates stronger communities, more engaged professionals and associations that continue to evolve alongside members.

WHY ASSOCIATIONS MATTER

Vy believes one of the biggest misconceptions about associations is that because they are not-for-profit organisations, people assume they do not need to operate like successful businesses.

"We're not-for-profit, but we have a responsibility to be financially sustainable."

To continue delivering services, investing in members and advancing professions, associations must remain financially sustainable while balancing purpose with good governance and sound business practice.

She also believes association management is a profession unlike any other.

Association Professionals navigate governance, strategy, operations, stakeholder engagement, education and member services while bringing together highly diverse groups of people around common goals.

Volunteer management adds another layer of complexity, requiring emotional intelligence, diplomacy and influence rather than formal authority.

"It takes experience and insight to bring diverse people together toward a common goal."

For Vy, one of the most important things people should understand is that there is an association for almost every profession.

Many people simply don't realise the support, networks and opportunities available to them.

"There is an association for every profession. What's your association?"

She believes associations strengthen industries by ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.

They listen, consult, build consensus and help professions move forward together toward a shared vision.

The process doesn't end with implementing change.

Associations continue listening, learning and improving alongside members.

Without organisations like the Australasian College of Dermatologists, professions would lose more than education and advocacy.

They would lose the communities that encourage participation, shared ownership and belonging.

For Vy, those relationships are what transform a professional organisation into a thriving professional community.

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead, Vy hopes future generations experience associations as places of connection.

She wants professionals entering the workforce to know their association exists to support them throughout their careers - not as an organisation working separately from them, but as a community they actively belong to.

"Associations are here for you, not against you."

By encouraging participation, listening to members and creating opportunities for people to contribute, Vy believes associations will continue building professions that are more connected, collaborative and resilient.

Vy's story is one of many that demonstrate the power of Association Professionals. They are strengthening professions, supporting communities and helping shape the future across Australia and New Zealand.

We Are Associations.

ABOUT VY

Vy Le is Director of Professional Development and Member Engagement at the Australasian College of Dermatologists and an experienced association executive with almost two decades working across healthcare, professional membership organisations and the not-for-profit sector. Her career has spanned governance, membership, engagement, education and organisational leadership both in Australia and internationally. Vy is passionate about creating meaningful member experiences and believes associations are at their strongest when members actively contribute, creating a shared sense of ownership and belonging.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

The Australasian College of Dermatologists is the peak professional organisation for specialist dermatologists in Australia and New Zealand. The College is responsible for training, examining and supporting specialist dermatologists while promoting excellence in patient care, professional standards, education and research. Through advocacy, continuing professional development and collaboration, the College works to improve skin health outcomes and ensure communities have access to high-quality specialist dermatological care across Australasia.