What happens when Organizational Development Professionals apply their own principles to their own organization?

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson sits down with members of the executive team from the St. Louis Organizational Development Network — Ryan McCrea, Aaron Adams, and Joani Alsop — to explore how STL-ODN moved from survival mode to sustained momentum.

This conversation goes beyond networking and professional development. It unpacks what intentional strategy, structured operating rhythms, succession planning, mentoring systems, sponsorship development, and regional focus actually look like in practice.

The STL-ODN team shares:

• How they clarified strategy and separated tactical work from strategic work
• Why co-creating their mission and vision with members mattered
• How mentoring became both a development tool and a pipeline for leadership continuity
• The importance of financial sustainability in nonprofit professional communities
• How they built succession visibility with a president-elect model
• What it takes to protect momentum without overextending the organization

This episode is a real-world case study in systems thinking, resilience, and human-centered leadership within a volunteer-run organization.

If you’re part of a professional association, an internal OD team, or a leadership group trying to move from “just keeping it afloat” to thriving with intention, this conversation offers practical insight and encouragement.

Connect with the Executive Team

Ryan McCrea
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmccrea

Aaron Adams
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronadams82

Joani Alsop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanialsop

Visit the St. Louis Organizational Development Network Websites and Consider Supporting the Organization!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/st-louis-organizational-development-network-stl-odn
• Website: https://www.stlodn.org

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CONNECT WITH KENNETH:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson
• Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc
• E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc

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