66: Challenges Swim Schools Faced During the Pandemic and How the U.S. Swim School Association Helped Overcome Them, with Lisa Zarda

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On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Lisa Zarda, Executive Director of the U.S. Swim School Association, on the challenges swim schools faced during the pandemic and how her association helped them overcome them.

Lisa’s career in association management spans over twenty years and includes receiving her certified association executive designation in 2010 as well as the Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) designation in 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, in Exercise & Sports Science with an emphasis in Recreation Management and a minor in Business Administration from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.

Over the years she has held volunteer leadership positions with both the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Arizona Society of Association Executives (AzSAE). She recently completed the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

Her career has included association work with the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee and the American Association of Cosmetology Schools which has allowed her to build upon the commonalities found even in unrelated industries.

Lisa has been married for over 16 years and has an eleven-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son that keep her on her toes. When there is some downtime, she enjoys watching football, traveling (especially to beaches), and spending time with her family in Cave Creek, Arizona.

Recorded 03/29/2022.