Meet a Member: Veronica Diaz, EDUCAUSE
Meet PAR member Veronica Diaz, Senior Director, Professional Learning and Development for EDUCAUSE.
What do you find most rewarding about your work in associations?
What I find most rewarding about my work in associations is the impact we create by connecting people, ideas, and resources in ways that they couldn’t access on their own. Associations sit at the center of a community, and I love helping members solve problems, grow their careers, and drive change for their institutions and the field as a whole. For me, the most fulfilling part is seeing how our collective efforts—whether through learning programs, research, or professional connections—translate into real improvements for our members and the communities they serve. Associations attract some of the most engaged, enthusiastic, and generous professionals—people who are happy to share their time and expertise. Getting to work with and serve people like that makes this work deeply meaningful and joyful.
What is a recent project or initiative that you're especially proud of?
I’m most proud of the Teaching with AI program because it brings together some of the most curious, generous, and forward-thinking professionals in higher education to tackle one of the biggest shifts our field is facing. It also represents a very successful business development and partnership endeavor, allowing us to innovate quickly and meet member needs at a critical moment—with over 1,248 registrants since October 2024, including 50% from the faculty community, expanded service to 2-year colleges, and historic levels of institutional team attendance. Watching participants gain confidence, build lasting relationships, and become part of an engaged community makes this program especially meaningful to me.
What’s your favorite quote or motto that keeps you motivated?
My favorite motto is ‘fake it till you make it.’ For me, it’s not about being inauthentic—it’s about having the courage to step into new challenges with confidence, even before you feel completely ready. Working in associations means constantly adapting, learning, and taking on big, sometimes ambiguous problems. This motto reminds me that growth often comes from stretching beyond what feels comfortable, trusting myself and my team to figure things out, and modeling resilience for others. Over time, those moments of ‘faking it’ turn into real skills, real confidence, and real impact.
What would you do if you had an unlimited budget for your association?
If I had an unlimited budget for my association, I would experiment and take more risks—trying new formats, technologies, and services to see what truly advances our mission. That said, I’ve also learned that constraints can be a gift. During COVID, financial limits forced us to be creative and disciplined, and we ended up doing some of our most valuable and innovative work because of those pressures. Unlimited resources are exciting, but it’s often the boundaries that bring out our best ideas.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve given (or would give) to a new association professional?
The best advice I share with new association professionals is this: never miss an opportunity to serve someone in need—be the winter soldier (someone who perseveres in hard times). Especially when your leader or colleagues are in a tough spot with a project or facing a leadership challenge, step in and support them. People always remember who showed up when things were difficult, and those moments build trust, credibility, and lasting relationships. Associations thrive on service and community, and being the person who’s willing to stand alongside others in hard times will set you apart as a leader.
Meet PAR Member Organization: EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to lead the way, advancing the strategic use of technology and data to further the promise of higher education. We connect and empower our member community through insights, advocacy, resources, and learning opportunities to anticipate trends and strengthen professional practice.