4 MIN READ
August 25, 2026
Technology work rarely happens in a straight line.
Members are balancing important goals, limited time and a lot of moving parts. Sometimes the most useful next step is simply knowing who to talk to, what to ask and where to begin.
At Nysernet, membership is about more than access to services. It is about having a team, a community and a set of resources that can help you move from question to action.
That is where the Membership Team comes in. We are here to help members make sense of what is available, connect with the right people and identify the most useful next step for the work in front of them.
Members at the Center
Nysernet is designed to be member powered.
That means we start with your goals, your environment and your priorities. We do not expect you to arrive with the perfect program name or a fully formed solution. We start with what you are trying to accomplish and help you work outward from there.
For some members, that may mean a conversation with a membership manager. For others, it may mean an introduction to a peer, a learning opportunity, a partner program or a Nysernet expert who can help move things forward.
However you begin, the point is the same: your membership should work for you.
What can you bring to your membership manager?
Almost anything tied to your organization’s technology goals.
That might be:
- A project your team is preparing to launch
- A question about membership benefits
- Interest in a peer conversation
- A need for technical or strategic expertise
- A training or professional development goal
- A purchasing decision
- A challenge that does not yet have a clear solution
You do not need to arrive with a fully defined ask. A good place to start is the goal in front of you.
How will we help?
When you bring us a question, we will help you sort through the options.
That may mean helping you understand which benefit fits best, connecting you with the right person, surfacing a relevant peer connection or pointing you toward a learning opportunity or partner program that matches your needs.
Sometimes the best next step is a quick conversation. Sometimes it is an introduction. Sometimes it is a benefit you did not realize was already available to you.
Our job is to help you find the right path with less guesswork and more confidence.
Meet the team
Anna Walsh
Chief Membership Officer
Anna leads all aspects of the membership experience, from new member acquisition, marketing, education services and member success.
- 15+ years building her career in the fast-moving SaaS world with a focus on growth, strategy, and innovation
- A certified yoga instructor and personal trainer, daily 5 a.m. weight training sessions are the norm
- Could be considered a Disney regular — trips with the family include matching outfits and mouse ears!
Rebecca Werner
Director, Membership
Rebecca oversees membership strategy and engagement across the organization.
- 15+ years leading membership engagement, retention, and acquisition in the nonprofit sector
- Believes Astoria, NYC, is THE BEST neighborhood — ask her why!
- Could give a TED Talk on the benefits of cold plunging
Moey Hoque
Membership Manager
Moey works primarily with organizations in and around the Greater NYC Area.
- 12+ years account management and customer success experience in the tech world
- Known for taking on multiple hobbies at once, including photography, pickleball and building computers
- Prefers the outdoors and can appreciate a day on the lake. Camping recommendations will be shared!
Michelle L. Smith
Membership Manager
Michelle works primarily with organizations in upstate and western New York.
- 20+ years managing membership programs and building member relationships
- Loves animals and is currently living with a cat, rabbit and dog who all get along — like in a Disney movie!
- A world traveler with plenty of entertaining stories to tell. Ask for a recommendation on your next call!
Why this matters
The work our members do is important.
They are supporting research, education, health care, cultural institutions and other mission-driven organizations that rely on thoughtful technology decisions, reliable partnerships and strong internal teams.
That work deserves support that is easy to access and grounded in real relationships.
A good membership experience should help you move sooner, ask better questions and avoid solving every challenge alone. It should make it easier to find the right people, the right resources and the right next step.
At Nysernet, that is part of the value.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the Membership Team. Bring us the goal, the challenge or the question at hand, and we will help you find the best place to begin.
Reach out to membership@nysernet.org to start the conversation.