This week’s episode of Chief Influencer features Arun Gupta, CEO of NobleReach. He shares his journey from venture capitalism to nonprofit leadership, focused on integrating entrepreneurial principles with public service. Arun discusses his work with top universities like Georgetown and Stanford and his organization’s efforts to place innovation-driven talent into federal government roles. Inspired by his book Venture Meets Mission, promoting a model where individuals can make a positive impact while creating or growing private mission-driven companies.The conversation explores the challenges of gaining government buy-in, the importance of scaling solutions, and trust's role in building effective partnerships. Gupta also highlights the growing shift among students toward purpose-driven careers and advocates for a bipartisan approach, emphasizing the need to create a collaborative ecosystem that brings together government, the private sector, and academia to address complex societal issues.Takeaways:Purpose-Driven Work: Leaders should recognize that the younger generation is increasingly seeking purposeful work, and highlighting the mission-driven aspects of roles can attract top talent, as Arun Gupta notes about students' desire for purpose in their careers.Building Trust: Trust is foundational to successful leadership in both public service and nonprofits. Gupta emphasizes that investing in building and maintaining trust with partners, customers, and team members is crucial for long-term success.Encouraging Experimentation: Leaders should foster a culture where experimentation is welcomed, and failure is viewed as a learning opportunity. Gupta advocates for allowing teams the freedom to try new things and learn from their outcomes.Dual Citizenship: Leaders should encourage talent that can navigate both public and private sectors. Gupta highlights the value of having 'dual citizenship'—experience in both areas—to tackle complex problems more effectively.Scalability: When designing new initiatives, leaders should always consider scalability. Gupta stresses the importance of creating models and systems that can be replicated and scaled efficiently to achieve broader impact.Humanizing Organizations: Understanding the human aspect of organizations helps bridge gaps and foster a cohesive work culture. Gupta emphasizes the need to view government as a group of individuals working with positive intent, rather than as an opaque institution.Valuing Diverse Career Paths: Leaders should promote and value diverse career experiences across sectors. Gupta advocates for a non-linear career approach, encouraging individuals to move between sectors to gain valuable insights and skills.Quote of the Show:"There's no one more optimistic than an entrepreneur—because you have to be if you're going to venture out there. And there's no one more optimistic than college students, which is why faculty enjoy being on campus."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arungupta23/ Website: https://noblereachfoundation.org/ Shout Outs:Venture Meets Mission: https://www.sup.org/books/business/venture-meets-mission Teach for America: https://www.teachforamerica.org/ ‘Georgetown University: https://www.georgetown.edu/ Georgetown Entrepreneurship Advisory Board: https://eship.georgetown.edu/advisory-group/ Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu/ Secretary Raimondo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaraimondo/ General John. W. Raymond: https://www.spaceforce.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/2040592/john-w-jay-raymond/ Jen Easterly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-easterly/ Matt Pottinger: https://www.fdd.org/team/matthew-pottinger/ Dr. Karl H. Khal: https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/2591842/dr-colin-h-kahl/ Condoleezza Rice: https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/rice-condoleezza 

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/