175. Eric Ellman, President of NCRA, on Building Trust, Turning Around an Association, and Elevating Member Value

How do you rebuild an association that is struggling financially, operationally, and reputationally, and turn it into an organization that members are excited to invest in?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Eric Ellman, President of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA). Eric discusses:How NCRA represents mortgage reporting companies and tenant screening companies that provide regulated data to mortgage lenders, landlords, and property managers.How NCRA members act as the “go-betweens” of the industry, combining data from credit bureaus and public records to help mortgage lenders and landlords assess risk in housing.Why the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the governing touchstone of the industry and how it functions as a foundational privacy law.How trust sits at the center of the consumer reporting ecosystem, from consumers, to data furnishers, to reporting agencies, to end users.Why Eric says he is having more fun in this role than at any other point in his career, thanks to culture, trust, and the ability to make a meaningful impact quickly.How he inherited an association in significant financial trouble and immediately focused on stabilizing finances, improving communications, revamping branding, and strengthening public policy work.How NCRA reimagined its annual conference by rebranding it as Elevate, upgrading the content, creating stronger sponsor value, and building energy around the event experience.How Eric personally led sponsor conversations, helped generate record-breaking sponsorship support, and brought in nine new sponsors in roughly 14 months.How NCRA asked members for a special assessment, explained the financial situation transparently, and earned overwhelming member support through a compelling vision for the future.What’s ahead for NCRA in 2026, including continued growth, stronger advocacy, and Elevate 2026 in New Orleans.References:NCRA Website