Leadership in Difficult Times: How Associations Show Up for Minnesota
Leadership within associations is tested not during periods of stability, but in moments of uncertainty and challenge. Across Minnesota, recent immigration enforcement actions have created fear and disruption for individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. For associations and the professionals who lead them, these moments call us to reflect on what leadership truly means—and how we live our values when it matters most.
Associations exist to bring people together around shared purpose. We convene professionals, amplify voices, and build community across sectors. In times like these, that role becomes even more important. Leadership is not abstract or theoretical; it is demonstrated in how we support our members, care for our teams, and respond with empathy and integrity to the realities facing our communities.
As Chair of the Associations North Board of Directors, I am proud of how our members continue to embody our core values to Connect, Advance, Innovate, and Trust. These values guide how we show up for one another and inform how we lead during challenging times.
Impacts Felt Across Members and Organizations
The effects of immigration enforcement are not limited to any one industry or profession. They are felt across association membership—by employees, volunteers, board members, and the communities we serve. Uncertainty disrupts daily life and creates anxiety that follows people into the workplace. Members worry about colleagues, staff worry about family, and leaders are called upon to navigate complex situations with compassion and care.
Within organizations, this uncertainty can affect morale, focus, and productivity. Leaders may find themselves supporting staff who are carrying emotional weight while still meeting professional expectations. Associations, which often serve as trusted spaces for connection and stability, are not immune to these challenges—but they are uniquely positioned to respond.
What we have seen across Minnesota is that associations and their members are showing up. By listening, offering flexibility, connecting people to resources, and leading with empathy, association professionals are demonstrating leadership that extends far beyond job descriptions – and the world is watching.
The Role of Associations in Times of Uncertainty
Minnesota’s response to these challenges has been marked by courage and quiet resolve, and associations have played a meaningful role in that response. Member organizations have created spaces for dialogue, offered support to staff and volunteers, and used their platforms to advocate for fairness and dignity. These actions reflect the strength of our sector and the values that unite us.
Leadership often appears in small but powerful ways—through thoughtful policies, compassionate conversations, and the willingness to stand alongside those who are affected. Associations understand the importance of community, and in moments of uncertainty, that understanding becomes action. By choosing connection over silence and empathy over avoidance, our members demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose.
Minnesota as a Model of Values‑Based Leadership
Minnesota’s association community offers an example that extends beyond our state. At a time when division can feel overwhelming, our willingness to lead with empathy, collaboration, and integrity shows what is possible when organizations stay grounded in their mission and values. Associations are uniquely equipped to bridge differences, bring people focus on shared goals—even when the path forward is complex.
By standing up for the well‑being of members and communities, we help shape a narrative rooted in inclusion and collective responsibility. This approach does not require uniformity of opinion, but it does require a commitment to dignity, respect, and care for one another. That commitment is at the heart of effective association leadership.
Living Associations North Values
As Chair of the Associations North Board of Directors, I am proud of how our members continue to embody our core values to Connect, Advance, Innovate, and Trust. These values guide how we show up for one another and inform how we lead during challenging times. They remind us that associations are not just organizations—they are communities of people working together for the greater good.
Our values are not aspirational statements; they are practical tools for leadership. They shape decisions, influence culture, and help us navigate moments of uncertainty with clarity and purpose. When we lead with these principles, we strengthen not only our own organizations, but the association community as a whole.
Thank You for Leading
To every Associations North member who has shown up for your staff, your volunteers, your members, and your communities—thank you. Your leadership, compassion, and steadiness matter. Together, we demonstrate that associations play a vital role in supporting people, strengthening communities, and leading with integrity when it is most needed.
I am grateful to continue this work alongside you. Let us keep supporting one another, living our values, and modeling the kind of leadership our communities deserve. Minnesota’s association leaders are showing what it means to lead with courage—and that is something to be proud of.
Maria Huntley, CAE, MAM, CEO, Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians
& 2026 Chair, Associations North Board of Directors