Focused on Our Future: Reflecting on My First Quarter as Your Chief Member Experience Officer

November 2024

By Nicole Stragalas
Chief Member Experience Officer

Let me say, I am impressed! Over the past three months I’ve met amazing leaders and members who are all advancing our organization in innovative ways. Your commitment to volunteer service in the legal profession through California Lawyer’s Association (CLA) is clear. You are powerful people who ask compelling questions and share your knowledge and influence.

My position as Chief Member Experience Officer is a newly established role for CLA. It is my responsibility to lead the strategic development and implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall membership experience and engagement for this prolific organization. In other words, I am here to work for you!

I have more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry and understand that driving business growth plans, expanding learning initiatives, and developing relationships takes time. I am committed to moving forward with you, as CLA continues to advocate for the future of law.  

Since coming on board, I’ve had the opportunity to attend your Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference where I witnessed CLA colleagues networking, connecting, and inspiring each other as professionals. I also participated in the Clio Cloud Conference, where dozens of existing and potential CLA sponsors gathered in Austin, Texas to discuss our future funding and support initiatives. CLA’s leadership and Board of Representatives have enthusiastically welcomed me, and CLA’s staff has treated me with kindness in navigating the association’s environment.

Our 18 Section leaders have set many significant goals for each practice area, championed by membership. These goals help provide me with an understanding of their direction as they work to fulfill CLA’s mission.

Going forward, my goals for the next three to six months include: growing new membership and increasing member renewals; expanding business development in such areas as increased sponsorships; enhancing the marketing of CLA’s many online educational programs; contributing to event planning; and developing employee training.

I believe CLA provides an incredible range of useful and invaluable benefits to its members, both tangible and intangible. I am honored to collaborate with such talented and ambitious people to strengthen our community. Thank you to everyone who has introduced themselves to me, reached out to me, and ushered me into my position. I encourage you to contact to me with your concepts, needs, and feedback. I will listen to you and look toward CLA’s bright future!

Please feel free to contact me at: nicole.stragalas@calawyers.org