Guest: Carolyn Lagermasini

There's a fundamental difference between being busy and being effective. You can have a team that hits every activity metric and checks off every box—but if revenue isn't growing, are they really succeeding?
This week's commentary explores a powerful shift: moving from loyalty-based cultures to accountability-based ones. It's the difference between rewarding people for showing up versus rewarding them for delivering results that actually move the business forward.
We dive into what it means to build a culture where everyone understands how their role contributes to business goals and has the tools to deliver real outcomes. This isn't about micromanagement—it's about creating an environment where success is clearly defined and team members can see the direct connection between their work and company growth.
When done right, this shift doesn't just transform businesses—it transforms lives.
The full episode is here.
 
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.
 
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST:
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/
COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/ 
COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/ 
CHIEF OUTSIDERS:
WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com 
LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/ 
X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders
FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders
DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell 
 

Twenty years ago, when Carolyn Lagarmasini launched her association management company as fully virtual, industry veterans said it was impossible. Today, her company spans 13 states with 26 employees, and COVID proved she was decades ahead.
"I once had a coach who said, the minute you start to shrink, you die," Carolyn reflects. Her story embodies this philosophy: jumping off cliffs without knowing where you'll land, seeing broken processes instead of broken people, and shifting from a loyalty-based to an accountability-based culture. From her mother, who ran for Congress, to her own leap from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur, Carolyn turns uncertainty into opportunity.
She reveals how she's preparing for industry disruption as five generations collide in the workforce and what she's learned about building culture when teams never meet face-to-face.
Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.
 
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
SOCIAL HANDLES FOR OUR GUEST:
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/
COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/ 
COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/ 
CHIEF OUTSIDERS:
WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com 
LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/ 
X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders
FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders
DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell