In this interview, Chuck Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), shares insights into his leadership journey, emphasizing teamwork and a mission-driven approach. Since joining the ADA in January 2020, Chuck has drawn on his private sector experience and athletic background to champion health equity, advocate for insulin affordability, and expand access to diabetes technologies.He discusses the importance of understanding all aspects of an organization while staying authentic and accessible as a leader. Chuck also reflects on the transformational changes he’s driven at the ADA, with a focus on health equity and increased transparency. He highlights the role of social media—particularly LinkedIn—in strengthening the ADA's brand and mission.Chuck also shares his personal connection to diabetes and the influence of his parents, as well as the organization's strategies for navigating remote work. The conversation concludes with a call to action for supporting the ADA during American Diabetes Month, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and resources to address the diabetes epidemic.Takeaways:Embrace a Team-Oriented Leadership Philosophy: Learning from Chuck's experience as an athlete, fostering an inclusive and team-centric environment is crucial. Ensure every member understands their role and how they contribute to the collective success.Maintain a Mission-Driven Focus: Chuck's daily reflection on his impact highlights the importance of grounding leadership decisions in the organization’s mission. Regularly ask yourself what you've done to advance your mission and set clear, impactful goals.Consistency in Communication: Regular touchpoints like monthly town halls, bi-weekly newsletters, and quarterly meetings are essential. This consistency keeps the team aligned, engaged, and informed about strategic directions and wins.Be Intentional with Engagement: Whether it's giving out personal contact information, being active on social media, or responding to both positive and negative feedback, intentional engagement fosters authentic connections and builds trust.Promote Organizational Brand: Use platforms like LinkedIn to share the organization’s achievements, highlight team members, and build new relationships. Prioritize showcasing the organization’s impact over self-promotion.Show Up Authentically: Your presence, both online and offline, should reflect genuine commitment and transparency. Authenticity builds credibility and trust, encouraging open dialogue and collaboration.Adapt and Innovate Continuously: Being proactive about adopting remote work, investing in training, and listening to stakeholder feedback are critical. Innovation and adaptation help in staying ahead and addressing emerging challenges effectively.Quote of the Show:“No one person is greater than the team. It takes all of us, each one of us has a role to play in this fight.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesdhenderson/ Website: https://diabetes.org/ Shout Outs:Champion Fire and Security: https://championfiresecurity.com/ Cotton Bowl Athletic Associaton: https://www.cottonbowl.com/ Texas A&M’s Letterman Associaton: https://www.aggielettermen.org/ Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ Tracey D. Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceydbrown/Dions Dream: https://dionschicagodream.com/ Baxter: https://www.baxter.com/ Eli Lilly and Company: https://www.lilly.com/ Medicare:https://www.medicare.gov/ Medicaid: https://www.healthcare.gov/ 

In this special episode of Chief Influencer, we feature a new leader at our partner The George Washington University. Lesley Lopez is the Director of the Graduate Program for Public Relations and Communications at the Graduate School of Political Management.An elected Maryland State Delegate, Lesley is a Chief Influencer in her own right. She recently transitioned from her role as an adjunct professor to lead the Graduate Program for Public Relations and Communications, where she is developing new approaches to engage professional students about the issues that matter in today’s world. Lesley emphasizes the importance of two-way influence, coalition building, and authenticity in politics. She also highlights her innovative initiatives at GW, including a focus on AI in communications and social impact, and invites listeners to engage with the program and its offerings.Takeaways:Embrace Authenticity in Leadership: Be genuine in your interactions and share real experiences to build trust and credibility.Develop Your Unique Leadership Style: Reflect on your personal strengths, passions, and experiences to carve out a leadership style that feels natural to you.Master the Art of Conflict Resolution: Understand where others are coming from and build bridges despite disagreements to foster cooperation and inclusive decisions.Be Transparent and Accessible: Regularly engage with your audience, even informally, to demystify your role and build a deeper connection with your constituents.Leverage Social Media for Genuine Connections: Use social media to share personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your life, making your digital presence more relatable and engaging.Balance Visibility with Humility: While being proactive in sharing your work is important, demonstrating humility and serving genuinely can resonate deeply with the public.Continual Learning and Adaptation: Stay informed about new trends in communications, technology, or public policy, and be prepared to incorporate them into your leadership toolkit.Quote of the Show:“You have to step outside of that image of who you think a politician is supposed to be and just be a real person. Just speak from the heart.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleylopez/ GW College of Professional Studies Website: https://cps.gwu.edu/ Shout Outs:Master’s in PR at the Graduate School of Professional Studies at GW: https://cps.gwu.edu/prc  Bianca Prade: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancaprade/ Washington Business Journal Shannon Watts: https://momsdemandaction.org/shannon-watts/ Moms Demand Action: https://momsdemandaction.org/ 

This week's episode of Chief Influencer features a truly inspiring leader, Michael Manganiello, the President and CEO at Pyxis Partners. After living for 40+ years as an HIV survivor and dedicated advocate, Michael’s journey has transformed medical research and patient care. After participating in groundbreaking clinical trials led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, he has been a beacon of hope for those living with HIV/AIDS.As the first Senior VP of Government Relations for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, he played a key role in passing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and raising over $150 million for resources supporting the mobility impaired.Takeaways:Build Diverse Coalitions: Assemble coalition members who bring different strengths to the table. Including scientists, researchers, and passionate advocates ensures a well-rounded and influential group.Leverage Non-Traditional Partnerships: Work with trusted community organizations to reach your target audience more effectively. People are more likely to listen to messengers they trust and encounter in their daily lives.Understand the Importance of Incremental Victories: Celebrate small wins along the way. These victories help maintain momentum and morale when working toward long-term goals.Educational and Strategic Insights: Acquire in-depth knowledge about your field. Being well-prepared and informed makes it easier to gain credibility and persuade influential stakeholders.Humanize the Issues: To reduce stigma, put a face to the cause and show people real-life examples. This will make the issue relatable and less abstract.Persistent Leadership: Lead by example and be persistent. Understand that effecting change is a long-term game that requires resilience and continuous effort.Quote of the Show:“You have to celebrate the incremental victories even if they’re small because that’s what keeps you going.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-manganiello-606743b/ Website: https://www.pyxispartners.co/ Shout Outs:Dr. Anthony FauciDocumentary: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/fauci Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: https://www.christopherreeve.org/ Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art: https://leslielohman.org/ Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX-B3HMlMfY National Institute of Health - All of Us Research Program: https://allofus.nih.gov/ Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/810 Back to Basics Report from Pyxis Partners: https://www.pyxispartners.co/post/back-to-basics-hiv-aids-advocacy-as-a-model-for-catalyzing-change 

Today’s special episode of Chief Influencer highlights four inspiring elected officials: Danica Roem, a member of the Virginia State Senate; Andy Kim, U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 3rd District; Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State; and Tony Woods, Secretary of Veterans Affairs at the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.The episode features leaders from various sectors and highlights the importance of collaborative change and diverse legislative influences. It underscores the value of transparency, accessibility, and genuine engagement in leadership. Each guest shared their personal insights on important themes like inclusion and the challenges of decision-making. They highlighted how vital it is for leaders to share their own stories and create welcoming spaces for everyone. They also delved into topics like overcoming misinformation and battling imposter syndrome, emphasizing the need to balance personal beliefs with the collective responsibility of serving the public.Takeaways:Communicate Openly and Authentically: Embrace a communication style that is open, human, and transparent. Engage in open dialogue to build trust and credibility by being honest about both successes and failures.Influence Through Mutual Engagement: Recognize that leadership involves being open to influence as well. Actively listen to constituents or team members, understand their needs, and incorporate their feedback into decision-making.Leave No One Behind: Create an inclusive environment where every member feels valued and heard. Focus on integrating marginalized or underrepresented groups into the larger mission.Show Rawness and Vulnerability: Demonstrate vulnerability by sharing your struggles and failures. This authentic approach fosters personal connections and reflects your true self.Share Personal Stories: Use storytelling to connect with your audience. Relating personal anecdotes makes your message more compelling and provides insight into your values and leadership style.Understand Key Issues Thoroughly: Develop a deep understanding of critical issues affecting your community or organization. Stay informed and continuously educate yourself to make more effective decisions.Engage Thoughtfully with Opposing Views: Address tough questions and criticisms respectfully, even in disagreement. Thoughtful responses can help bridge divides and foster a cooperative environment.Links:Rob SandLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robsand1/ Website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa Danica RoemFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/danicafordelegate/ Website: https://www.danicaforstatesenate.com/ Andy Kim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-kim-511969/ Website: https://www.andykim.com/ Tony WoodsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-woods-22390978/ Website: https://veterans.maryland.gov/anthony-woods/ 

Bill Smith is the Founder and CEO of Inseparable, an organization dedicated to advancing mental health policy. Additionally, he holds the position of Chair at Civitas Public Affairs Group, a firm he co-founded. At Civitas, he guides philanthropists, foundations, and donor collaboratives on various policy objectives alongside national non-profit organizations striving for progressive policy advancements.Bill shares insights into his impactful journey of shaping mental health policy and empowering the LGBTQ+ community politically. He delves into the founding motivations behind Inseparable, stressing the significance of research and genuine communication in driving policy transformations. Bill also discusses successful strategies for achieving significant policy victories across different states.Together, they explore leveraging research for influence, simplifying intricate messages effectively, and harnessing authenticity and encouragement to propel social change. Bill advocates for leaders to recruit individuals smarter than themselves, fostering a culture of brilliance and collaboration within organizations, thereby ensuring success through collective intelligence and expertise.Takeaways:Be yourself in your communications and leadership style. Authenticity resonates with people and builds trust. Establish a genuine connection with your team, stakeholders, and audience.Surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you. This approach enhances your team's overall capabilities and fosters learning and innovation.Determine the core areas or issues that need addressing and concentrate your efforts there. A focused approach ensures impactful outcomes and better allocation of resources.Before embarking on any major project or initiative, invest in research. Understanding the opinions and needs of your audience is essential for crafting messages that resonate and to make informed decisions.Research and data are invaluable; let them guide your communications, decisions, and strategies. Even if the findings challenge your assumptions, being open to data-driven insights can lead to more effective outcomes.Develop messaging that is straightforward and resonates with your audience. Simplifying complex ideas into relatable, engaging narratives can amplify your influence and the impact of your messages.Personalize your communication to build deeper connections. Whether through emails, social media, or direct engagement, sharing your journey, challenges, and successes can inspire and engage people more effectively.Quote of the Show:“At the end of the day, you have to listen to research because if it's done well, it's telling you what people think and it's telling you what you need to hear.” - Bill SmithLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-smith-7376424 Inseparable (Website): https://www.inseparable.us Civitas Public Affairs Group (Website): https://www.civitaspublicaffairs.com Shout Outs:The Gill Foundation: https://gillfoundation.org Jan Van Lohuizen: https://www.c-span.org/person/?16114/JanVanLohuizen