Terri Herrmann
Chief Marketing Officer, Forj
Terri Herrmann is the Chief Marketing Officer at FORGE, a SaaS company serving associations with a modern, member-centric platform that integrates learning and community. New to the association world, she is passionate about helping organizations solve problems through thoughtful marketing and about empowering professionals through her keynote, Be the CEO of You. She values AWTC for its supportive community and the opportunity to uplift other women in technology and leadership. Learn more about HERStory!
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
Hello and welcome to AWTC Presents Her Story, a web series in which we profile AWTC members and feature them in all their awesomeness. I'm your host, Cecilia Sepp. I am a member of AWTC and currently serving on the Marketing Committee.
Thank you for joining us for this episode. Our guest this time is Terri Herman, and she's going to tell us a little bit about herself and why she enjoys being part of AWTC. Terri, welcome to Her Story. Would you like to say hello?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Thank you so much, Cecilia. I really appreciate the opportunity to be here today.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
Well, that's great, and we're glad to have you. This series is taking off. So could you tell us a little about what you do professionally and where you do it?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Yeah, you bet. I am Chief Marketing Officer at FORGE, a SaaS company bringing together the importance of traditional learning along with the power of community in one platform. We're doing it in a way that's member-centric, modern, and intuitive. FORGE is purpose-built for associations and professional networks, with over 300 clients and a million professionals using our technology. As CMO, I lead a team whose job is to understand the association buyer and reach them through thought leadership, webinars, and other strategies.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
That sounds exciting.
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
It is. I love my job.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
So when did you get started working with associations?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
I'm new to the association space and honestly stumbled upon it. I joined FORGE a year ago because I had the opportunity to work alongside my mentor, our CEO, whom I deeply respect. Then I fell in love with the problems we solve for associations. Getting to help market such an innovative solution for community and learning has been both fun and fulfilling.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
That's wonderful. I love hearing about people coming to associations later in their careers.
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Yes, and FORGE’s mission to empower professionals who make the world better aligns with that. Getting to support associations in advancing their missions is incredibly rewarding.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
Great lead-in to the next question. Can you tell us about a time you felt really good about your work?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
I feel good often because we do great things with great associations. But one highlight is a keynote I created called Be the CEO of You. It focuses on the idea that individuals—especially women—should have personal boards of directors to guide them. The talk walks through challenges in my own career and offers actionable advice. I've given it a couple of times and look forward to more opportunities in 2025.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
And what advice helped you develop your career as a woman in tech?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Three things:
- Don’t try to do it all yourself—seek help. As a woman with career ambitions, a mom, and a wife, I learned I can't do everything alone.
- The book How Women Rise taught me how behaviors—like assuming hard work alone will get you noticed—can hold women back. You must advocate for yourself.
- Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead taught me about the “square squad,” the tiny list of people whose opinions truly matter. People-pleasing everyone will hold you back.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
I hear a lot of people cite Brené Brown!
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
She's wonderful.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
As someone newer to associations, where do you see technology leading the industry?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Member experience will be at the heart of everything. Members join for learning, networking, and community. One major driver of dissatisfaction is outdated, clunky tech. Today’s members expect intuitive, modern, consumer-like experiences. Associations must invest in modern technology to meet expectations.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
Great advice. What do you like best about AWTC?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
The variety of ways to get involved, the active Slack community, and the educational opportunities. I love being able to pay it forward—now that I'm more seasoned, supporting women earlier in their careers matters to me.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
And why should someone get involved in AWTC?
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Because AWTC lifts women up. It gives you a true sense of community, leadership support, and a network of women (and allies) who want to see each other succeed.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
A wonderful reason to join AWTC. Terri, thank you for joining me.
Terri Herrmann [Guest]
Thank you so much, Cecilia. I really appreciate it.
Cecilia Sepp [Host]
You can learn more about AWTC, our events, and our no-fee membership at awtc.tech. We offer monthly events and our annual December conference, AWTC Advance. On behalf of AWTC, Terri and myself—thanks for joining us for this episode of HERStory.