In this episode, we sit down with Matt Beekman, Executive Director of Alpha Omega Group (AOG) and current President of the AFCEA San Diego Chapter (Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association). Matt draws on his rich leadership experience in the nonprofit / association world to share how many of the core dynamics of leadership and motivation are the same across sectors — whether you’re leading a mission-driven chapter or a business operation — while also exploring how nonprofit leadership brings its own flavor of influence, stakeholder engagement, and community service.

We dive into:
-How mission, volunteer engagement, and service orientation shape leadership in the AFCEA setting
-Similarities and differences between leading in the nonprofit/association world and more traditional organizational leadership contexts
-What motivates people in volunteer or “service-oriented” roles, and how that overlaps with motivation in paid staff or business contexts
-Practical leadership lessons from Matt’s role as President of AFCEA San Diego — how he builds influence, cultivates engagement, and drives action in a membership-based organization

Key takeaways for any leader who wants to improve their influence, motivation skills, and leadership culture — whether in nonprofit, corporate, or hybrid settings

If you’re looking for insights on how to lead with purpose, influence people, and create meaningful engagement, this conversation offers a fresh lens from the association world.

Stay Connected & Upcoming Events:
Visit the AFCEA San Diego Chapter website to learn more about membership, upcoming events, and how to get involved: https://sandiego.afceachapters.org/

One upcoming event you might want to check out: the 2025 C4ISR Symposium hosted by AFCEA San Diego, scheduled for November 4–5, 2025 at Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station. They also have a Golf Tournament event on Monday, November 3, 2025 at Admiral Baker Golf Course.

#Leadership #MotivationScience #NonprofitLeadership #Influence #PurposeDrivenLeadership #VolunteerMotivation #AFCEA #AFCEASanDiego #DefenseCommunity #STEMLeadership #InspireLeaders #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #MilitaryTechnology #intrinsicmotivation

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Intrinsic First Leadership Podcast - Matt Beekman