Chief Influencer®

Allan Golston is the President of the United States Program at The Gates Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and ensuring equitable academic and economic outcomes for all students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and students of color.  Allan's unique leadership approach hinges on the power of influence through reciprocity, authenticity, an...

Max Friedman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Givebutter, an all-in-one nonprofit fundraising and CRM platform that has powered nearly $2 billion in donations. Having started the company in his college dorm room, Max's journey highlights the blend of self-taught technical skills and a mission-driven approach to make online giving fun, social, and transparent.  In this episode, you’ll learn how Givebut...

Shawn Martin is the Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a medical specialty organization representing 130,000 family physicians and medical students nationwide. In his role, Shawn provides strategic leadership to the AAFP and directs the mission-driven work of the nation's largest primary care organization.  In this episode, Shawn shares his journe...

The majority of us stream music as part of our daily routines, often without considering the intricate process that enables us to access our favorite tracks. Drawing upon his expertise in streaming policy from the UK and beyond, Graham Davies is the President and CEO of DiMA, the Digital Media Association, in the United States. He shares why we should care about streaming and highlights its divers...

Jeffery J. Mondak is a renowned professor of political science at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is known for his research on misinformation and his creative approach as a poet and songwriter for children. In today’s episode, Jeffery and host Anthony Shop explore the impact of misinformation and the value of diversity and creativity in leadership. Jeffery shares compelling finding...

Johnny C. Taylor serves as the President and CEO of SHRM, a global organization dedicated to advocating for the interests of workers and workplaces. With a membership of 325,000 individuals spanning 165 countries, SHRM is a leading authority and convener on contemporary workplace issues, impacting millions of workers and families worldwide. At the core of Johnny's leadership philosophy lies a beli...

Steven Taylor is the President and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the lives of nearly 60 million Americans with arthritis. They align advocacy and science with patient priorities, drive progress through awareness, education, and research, and empower individuals with arthritis to live fuller lives. Steven delves into his unique approach,...

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 advance...

Dr. Joel Braunstein is the CEO and Co-Founder of C₂N Diagnostics, a company dedicated to the development and commercialization of diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions. In today's episode, Dr. Braunstein offers insights from his extensive experience in the healthcare sector, detailing his academic journey and highlighting the pivotal role played by C₂N in adv...

Congressman Andy Kim serves as a U.S. representative for the Third Congressional District of New Jersey. In today’s episode, Congressman Kim delves into his journey from serving in various government roles, including at the Pentagon and in Afghanistan, to campaigning for the United States Senate.  As a career public servant and the first Democratic member of Congress of Korean descent, Congressman...

Candice C. Jones is the President and CEO of Public Welfare Foundation. The Foundation seeks to catalyze a transformative approach to justice in the United States that is community-led, restorative, and racially just by supporting the creation and implementation of an alternative vision of justice rooted in communities. This week's episode delves into the profound impact of Candice’s experiences,...

Bob Witeck serves as the President of Witeck Communications, Inc., the oldest LGBTQ-owned business enterprise certified by the NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce). The organization is known for pioneering communication strategies and is dedicated to advancing LGBTQ communities globally. Witeck Communications focuses on leveraging data and personalized narratives to encourage corporations to...

Annise Parker is the President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund & Institute; they endorse and financially support LGBTQ+ candidates through the Victory Fund and provide training and support to run for office and serve effectively through the Victory Institute. They also foster a network among LGBTQ+ elected officials, offering leadership programs and facilitating regular exchanges to ensure...

Coach Kathy Kemper is the CEO and Founder of the Institute for Education and a Co-founder of Computer Science at the University of Southern California’s coding camp. In today’s episode, join host Anthony Shop and Coach Kemper as they delve into diplomacy, innovation, and global engagement. She shares her extraordinary journey from a professional tennis player to a prominent figure in Washington's...

Yasmine Arrington Brooks is the Founder of ScholarCHIPS, a D.C. nonprofit aiding youth with incarcerated parents. She is also a speaker, model, author, poet, and host of Millennial Minds. Yasmine has been honored as a 2023 CNN Hero, and 2021 Washington Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, among others in recognition of her community service and engagement. In today’s episode, she delves into her jour...

Molly Lenore is the Co-founder and President of Moey Inc., a pioneering company dedicated to crafting technology-infused experiences, installations, products, and exhibits at the convergence of art, science, technology, design, and education. With a focus on conceptualization, design, and realization, Molly specializes in curating technology-driven installations within interactive public spaces. M...

Ghida Dagher, President and CEO of New American Leaders, leads the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering immigrants, refugees, and their allies. Their mission is to provide the necessary tools for these individuals to realize their full potential and contribute to a more inclusive democracy. Whether through running for and holding elected office or engaging in civic action,...

Kimberly Driggins is the Executive Director at Washington Housing Conservancy (WHC), which is pioneering the transformation of urban landscapes in the D.C. region. With a keen focus on creating thriving, inclusive, mixed-income communities, Kimberly's leadership at WHC since its inception in 2019 has been nothing short of revolutionary.  With a stellar background in urban planning and real estate...

Greg Kihlstrom is a best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur, who serves as an advisor and consultant to top companies on marketing, technology, marketing operations, customer experience, and digital transformation initiatives. Greg is the Host of an award-winning podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström Podcast, and has written numerous books, the latest of which is Priority is Action....

 Jennifer Sirangelo is the President & CEO of Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, which mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. She is the recipient of the Gold Stevie® Female Executive of the Year Award for women in business and was named to Fast Company’s annual list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. She...

Ju’Riese Colón is the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the nation’s only independent nonprofit committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and misconduct. Before her Center tenure, Ju’Riese served as National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for the Boys & Girls Clubs of A...

Chiquisha Robinson is a career public defender with nearly two decades as a top attorney at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. As a Deputy Chief for the Prisoner and Reentry Legal Services Program in the Community Defender Division, she manages a team of attorneys to support and advance the rights of incarcerated adults and those living with a criminal record. To further hel...

Lisa Thurau is the Executive Director of Strategies for Youth. Lisa founded the nonprofit in 2009 aimed at improving police-youth interactions and reducing the disproportionate impact on minority youth. The organization provides its training, outreach programs, and policy reviews in 25 states, guiding law enforcement in their interactions with youth. Lisa joins Host Anthony Shop to discuss how to...

Jason Trimiew is the Director of Global Supplier Diversity at Meta. Under his leadership, Meta became a leader and innovator in supplier diversity.  They have spent more than $10 billion cumulatively with US companies certified as minority, women, veteran, LGBTQ, or disabled-owned. Prior to joining Meta, Jason designed and delivered the community impact initiatives for Super Bowl 50, resulting in...

In this special episode, Host Anthony Shop and Executive Producer Robert Krueger take a moment to reflect on some of the key themes and messages that have stood out to them through the first season of Chief Influencer. Robert and Anthony discuss some of their favorite episodes, the themes that have stuck out to them, and what they’ve learned from the guests featured in Season 1. Find every episode...