For the second year, association leaders will join together in Washington, D.C., for a day of community building and growth. ASAE’s The Exchange: A Women’s Leadership Experience will be a time for busy association executives to pause, reflect and connect on a deeper level—with themselves, their purpose and each other.
ASAE CEO Michelle Mason describes it as more of a retreat than a conference. The Exchange blends authentic conversation, well-being practices and leadership development designed specifically for women in associations.
We caught up with two of this year’s featured speakers, Latina entrepreneur, brand strategist, author, and professional keynote speaker Michelle Poler and mental fitness executive coach, keynote speaker, author and self-confidence trainer Amy Yip for a preview of the transformation attendees can expect.
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Michelle Poler: Choose Growth Over Comfort
Michelle Poler, author of “Hello, Fears” and founder of the 100 Days Without Fear movement, is known for turning fear into fuel. She brings a message that resonates with anyone facing big decisions or bigger doubts.
“We spend so much time playing defense—trying to avoid failure, rejection or looking silly,” she said. “But 97% of our fears never come true. So, the real question is: What’s the best that can happen?”
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Poler encourages participants to shift from fear to possibility by imagining the upside of risk-taking. “Comfort is the real threat,” she warned. “It convinces us to play small. It keeps your head down, your ideas inside and your goals on pause.”
Her session will challenge attendees to embrace discomfort as the price of growth. “Authenticity isn’t a luxury,” she added. “It’s your greatest competitive advantage.”
Poler’s talk is expected to be a rallying cry for showing up boldly—whether you’re pitching a new idea, planning a high-stakes event or speaking up in a boardroom. “The world is tired of filters,” she said. “It craves honesty, originality and soul.”
Amy Yip: Rewire Your Inner Dialogue
Amy Yip will guide attendees through the science and strategy behind mastering their mindset. Her framework is grounded in neuroscience and peppered with relatable humor—think “Darth Vader vs. Jedi” for your thoughts.
“Most of us are walking around in survival mode,” she explained. “We’re letting our inner saboteurs run the show—like the Judge, the Hyper-Achiever or the Pleaser—without even realizing it.”
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Yip cited studies showing that 80% of daily thoughts are negative, and 95% of those are repeated day after day. Her message: “What consumes your mind, consumes your life.”
In her session, participants will learn to identify their own mental saboteurs and strengthen their “inner sage”—the calm, wise voice that leads with clarity rather than panic. “You can’t make different choices unless you’re aware of your thought patterns,” she said. “Awareness creates choice.”
For women planners responsible for major events and tight timelines, this mental shift can be the difference between burnout and resilience. Yip’s tips include building daily habits of self-recognition, like listing three wins each day and rewriting the inner narrative. “If you just spend 30 seconds a day focusing on what you did well, it can rewire your brain,” she said.
Mindset, Meaning and Momentum
The Exchange is an intentional reset. With sessions on creativity, self-trust, mental fitness and authentic leadership, attendees will walk away with more than notebooks full of ideas. They’ll leave with renewed energy, deeper community and actionable tools for navigating both boardrooms and internal battles.
Whether you’re ready to confront your fears, reframe your inner dialogue or simply spend time among brilliant, driven women who get it, The Exchange offers a brave space to evolve, empower and elevate—together.
