Changing the World of Work Through Learning: Northwestern MSLOC and Association Forum Announce Collaboration 

Communities of practice, and the learning exchange they provide, are essential to moving organizations, industries, and sectors forward. Northwestern MS in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) and Association Forum of Chicagoland are two such communities committed to supporting their members in learning, and applying that learning, to change the world’s workplaces.  

Association Forum is the hub for the large, yet close-knit Chicago-area association industry. Chicago is the second largest U.S. market for associations, representing more than 1,700 trade and professional associations with nearly 47,000 employees. These Chicago-area organizations serve 29 million individual members ranging from realtors to healthcare providers, marketers to restaurant professionals. Association Forum’s promise is “to provide our members with essential learning, compelling experiences and powerful resources.”  

Similarly, Northwestern MSLOC’s purpose is to “equip leaders with the vision, knowledge, and skills to facilitate sustainable, positive organizational transformation.” The MSLOC community of learners includes organizational designers, change leaders, knowledge managers, talent developers, coaches, DEI professionals, and many more professionals working at the intersection of people and organizations.   

“As a long-time member of Association Forum and a recent graduate of Northwestern’s MSLOC program, I am thrilled at the opportunities that lie ahead for our association community by helping to address needed organizational change and foster personal learning and development,” said Bob Moore, MA, MS, FASAE, CAE, executive director, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. 

This collaboration will focus on delivering value through learning and knowledge exchange. In addition to granting special access to relevant programming offered by the Forum and MSLOC to each other’s audiences, the two organizations are also participating in collaborative programming.  

Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, CEO and president of Association Forum expressed her excitement over the agreement: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Northwestern University’s Master’s in Learning and Organizational Change. Their reputation for excellence in research and learning aligns perfectly with our commitment to pushing the boundaries of association management and leadership. Together, we will unlock opportunities for new power leaders and help them drive meaningful change in their careers while helping shape the future of our industry. ”  

Diane Knoepke, director of program engagement and outreach for MSLOC, shared, “Our communities share many, many kindred spirits: learners, educators, engagers, talent developers, and change leaders who are committed to professional disruption and transformation. We’re excited to get more of our leaders together and experience what happens through these collaborations.” 

Coming up in 2023, The Forum and MSLOC communities will share space and ideas in several ways, including: 

• MSLOC will participate in the Forum’s Holiday Showcase® Conference. MSLOC will host both an exhibit booth and a learning session. Dr. Ryan Smerek, associate professor and associate director of academic affairs, will facilitate a discussion on Speaking Up at Work, based on his recent book of the same name. 
• The Forum and MSLOC will co-host a live virtual discussion on December 12, 2023, 12-1 PM Central. Dr. Ahmmad Brown, assistant professor at Northwestern, will facilitate a conversation with Artesha Moore about moving from crisis response to real change in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in organizations. REGISTER NOW .