Chris Vaughan, PhD. is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Sequence Consulting, where he and his wife, Lisa, have partnered with more than half of the top 20 global associations, as well as Fortune 500 companies, to drive transformational growth in membership, revenue, and impact. With a doctorate in philosophy and over two decades of consulting experience, Chris brings a unique lens to leadership combining rigorous strategic thinking with deep curiosity about what makes leaders and organizations thrive. He is a regular contributor to Associations Now and a frequent speaker for industry and not-for-profit audiences worldwide.

In this episode, Chris explores what it takes to lead transformational change in legacy organizations and shares the leadership habits that distinguish high-performing associations from the rest. He explains how strong partnerships elevate leadership effectiveness and why associations, when well-led, can wield more influence than corporations. Chris also introduces an unexpected teacher, the fruit fly, revealing the surprising leadership lessons it can inspire.

Drawing on personal stories, including his and Lisa’s bold leap from corporate careers into entrepreneurship, Chris reflects on the values and resilience required to pursue a growth mindset in mission-driven work. He also weaves in how his passions: photography, travel to 77 countries (and counting), and philosophy shape his approach to leadership and strategy.