#161 Jun 10, 26

Lead From The Back: Michael Hund's Cowboy Code for Influence

In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anthony Shop sits down with Michael Hund, CEO of EB Research Partnership, to explore how influence, storytelling, and venture philanthropy can accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare. Michael shares the remarkable journey behind EBRP’s innovative, investment-minded model, which has helped expand the epidermolysis bullosa (EB) clinical trial landscape from just two trials to more than fifty and contributed to multiple FDA-approved therapies. The conversation also dives into the unexpected evolution of the Netflix documentary Matter of Time, which brought unprecedented visibility to EB and the broader rare disease community through the power of music, storytelling, and authentic community-building.

Beyond rare disease advocacy, this episode is a masterclass in influence-driven leadership. Michael explains why trust, vulnerability, and transparency are essential to building movements that endure. From lessons learned growing up on a Kansas cattle ranch to scaling a nonprofit like a venture capital firm, he shares how leaders can “run toward the storm,” embrace bold innovation, and create communities that transform visibility into action. The conversation offers valuable lessons for executives, communicators, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs seeking to build trust, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.

Takeaways:

Visibility Creates Momentum: Rare disease communities often feel invisible, but visibility can become a catalyst for funding, innovation, and systemic change.
Community Is More Powerful Than Audience: Building true community creates lasting engagement, advocacy, and shared ownership far beyond impressions or awareness campaigns.
Run Toward the Storm: Great leaders don’t avoid hard problems—they confront them directly, even when outcomes are uncertain.
Trust Requires Vulnerability: Transparency, honesty, and listening deeply to stakeholders are essential to building durable influence.
Lead From Behind: Effective leadership is often less about commanding from the front and more about empowering teams while staying close enough to guide and support.
Storytelling Accelerates Change: The Matter of Time documentary succeeded because it translated complex science and painful realities into emotionally resonant human stories.
Innovation Needs Bold Business Models: Venture philanthropy demonstrates how nonprofit organizations can apply entrepreneurial thinking to dramatically accelerate impact.

Quote of the Show:

“The best cowboy and the leader always stayed in the back of a cattle drive.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhund/
Website: https://www.ebresearch.org/
Matter of Time Netflix Documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/82184383

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Anthony Shop

Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.

Producer

Amanda Goyette

Producer

Robert Krueger

Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.