Meet the Minds
Behind Our Mission

Paul Plaia III, CEO of GrowthZone, has decades of SaaS and association/chamber technology experience. As an early tech founder in the industry, he helped shape today’s AMS platforms. Paul is committed to a customer-first, innovation-driven approach, serving member-based organizations' missions as GrowthZone’s own and partnering with them as an extension of their staff. He ensures GrowthZone delivers flexible, best-in-class solutions that help organizations strengthen engagement with their membership to achieve meaningful growth. Previously, Paul led teams at FrontStream, MemberClicks, and GoMembers, and holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and is a CPA. 

Paul begins every day with a long run—a habit he’s kept for decades

Bob Freeburg is the COO of GrowthZone AMS, where he oversees operations that keep our teams aligned and our customers supported. With deep experience in association technology and organizational efficiency, Bob focuses on building scalable processes and elevating the customer experience. He is dedicated to helping organizations thrive and creating an environment where GrowthZone’s people can do their best work.

Bob is partially ambidextrous—right-handed but writes like a lefty.

Hope Nance leads GrowthZone AMS’s financial strategy, overseeing budgeting, reporting, and operational finance. With more than two decades of experience across software and accounting, she brings strong analytical expertise and a commitment to financial discipline. Hope is dedicated to building efficient, scalable financial operations that empower GrowthZone’s long-term growth and success.

Hope's ideal vacation is anywhere in the Caribbean, soaking up the sun and making memories with her family.

Catie Ivey leads GrowthZone’s revenue organization, uniting sales, marketing, and customer success to drive sustainable growth. With over 15 years of B2B SaaS leadership—and a proven track record of scaling global go-to-market teams—she brings a people-first, strengths-based approach. Catie is passionate about building aligned, buyer-centric strategies that deliver value for both our customers and our team.

Catie loves to travel and has been to 52 countries...so far!

Erinn Gray brings more than 20 years of HR leadership to GrowthZone, shaping our culture and talent strategy as we grow. Based in the New Orleans metro area, she is dedicated to creating meaningful employee experiences and has successfully led workforce transformations at private equity–backed firms and other organizations, with a strong focus on hiring, developing, and retaining top talent.

Erinn began her HR career in Washington, DC, supporting technology trade associations. She’s excited to return to the association world as part of the GrowthZone team—and when she’s not championing people initiatives, she’s cheering on her favorite Pittsburgh sports teams.

Kelly is a seasoned product executive with more than 15 years of experience building and scaling global SaaS products across healthcare, HR tech, fintech, and insurance. She brings a practical, customer-first approach to product leadership, with a track record of translating strategy into real business results.

Most recently, Kelly served as Chief Product Officer at CareAcademy, where she expanded product-led revenue, improved retention, accelerated AI adoption, and helped guide the company through a successful strategic exit. Earlier in her career, she held senior product leadership roles at Checkr, UnitedHealthcare Group, and Generali Group, leading global teams and high-impact product initiatives.

At Growthzone,  Kelly partners with executive leadership to shape product strategy, scale teams, and deliver intuitive, high-value solutions for customers.

Jane Nassiri leads customer success at GrowthZone, driving initiatives that deepen engagement and deliver value for GrowthZone customers. With extensive leadership experience—from operational management to account strategy—she’s known for building customer‑centric processes and aligning teams around retention, growth, and mission impact.

Jane is the youngest of 6 kids…which basically means she grew up with 5 free life coaches.

Jill Haugene leads GrowthZone’s Customer Support team, overseeing support and service strategies that help associations and chambers succeed. With extensive experience in customer operations and a passion for collaboration, she ensures customers feel heard, supported, and guided every step of the way, while driving satisfaction and relationships.

Jill has been to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, twice!

Jean Chen serves as Vice President of Marketing at GrowthZone, where she leads strategic marketing initiatives to elevate GrowthZone’s brand and drive customer engagement within the association and member-based organization sector. With deep expertise in B2B SaaS marketing, Jean champions a customer-centric approach to positioning GrowthZone as a trusted technology partner that empowers associations and chambers of commerce to grow membership, increase engagement, and streamline operations. She holds an advanced degree from Columbia Business School and is based in the Denver area. At GrowthZone, Jean combines her passion for innovative marketing with a commitment to helping mission-driven organizations succeed.

Jean is an avid Colorado sports fan—the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avs, and the Denver Nuggets!

Emily Lachinski drives GrowthZone’s product strategy and roadmap to help associations and chambers thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. With over a decade of experience spanning product management and marketing, Emily brings a customer-first mindset to building scalable platforms that unlock engagement, revenue, and impact. Her leadership ensures GrowthZone’s products are not only innovative, but deeply aligned with the real needs of member-driven organizations.

Emily has spent her career helping nonprofit organizations thrive—powered by curiosity, great conversation, and the occasional well-timed energy drink.