Chief Influencer®

Gary Jacobs, widely known as The Zen Lobbyist , to explore how mindfulness and authenticity can fundamentally reshape influence in Washington. Drawing from decades of experience in health policy, government relations, and organizational leadership, Gary shares his journey from early-career advocate to a leader who grounds his work in stillness, compassion, and gratitude. He recounts the personal h...

We’re re-airing one of our most popular Chief Influencer® episodes, and for good reason. In this fan-favorite panel conversation, host Anthony Shop brings together an inspiring lineup of nonprofit leaders to talk about how they use their personal brands to power their missions and amplify impact. Featuring Steve Schwab (Elizabeth Dole Foundation), Jean Accius (Creating Healthier Communities), Kati...

Alex Wirth, Co-Founder and CEO of Quorum, joins Anthony Shop to explore what it really takes to lead with influence, from the Senate floor to the tech boardroom. Alex shares how he built one of Washington’s top civic tech startups from a Harvard dorm room and scaled it to more than 330 employees. He breaks down his “Hacker and Hustler” founding model, the evolution from “Superman” to “Captain Amer...

Evan Low, President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, joins host Anthony Shop for a powerful conversation about resilience, representation, and authentic leadership. Evan’s story comes full circle—from being one of the Victory Fund’s youngest endorsed candidates to now leading the organization that once believed in him. He shares lessons from his historic career, including his work advancing mar...

Cleve Mesidor, Executive Director of the Blockchain Foundation and Founder of Butterscotch Media, joins Chief Influencer® to share her remarkable journey from the halls of Washington to the frontlines of Web3 innovation. A former Obama Administration appointee, Cleve discusses how her “aha moment” with Bitcoin set her on a mission to create an inclusive digital economy, one that prioritizes access...

Ambassador Georg Sparber, Liechtenstein’s representative to the United States, shares how influence operates in both highly visible and quietly strategic ways. From the honor of throwing a ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game to spearheading global initiatives against human trafficking, he illustrates how even small players can “punch above their weight” on the world stage. He ex...

Lidia Soto-Harmon, the President and CEO of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), shares several key lessons around leadership, youth empowerment, and conservation. Lidia emphasizes the importance of providing paid, hands-on environmental conservation opportunities for young people across all 50 states, covering everything from trail building to historic preservation and fire prevention. A c...

Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns), CEO of The Trevor Project, to explore what authentic influence looks like in practice. Jaymes reflects on their early missteps in leadership and how mentors helped them understand that true influence flows from empathy and connection rather than force. They share how embracing their authentic self not only transformed their own leadership but also empowered the...

Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Under his leadership, this Kansas City landmark has become more than a museum; it’s a living, breathing front porch for the community and a destination for visitors from around the globe. Dr. Naylor shares how the museum honors those who served while also “confessing the horrors of war,” using immersive storytelling and...

Erin Santos Primis, the founder and executive director of the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF), shares her journey of transforming the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Isabella, into a lasting impact for children with rare pediatric cancers. Starting with a local 5K that raised $7,000 during her daughter's treatment for neuroblastoma, Erin has propelled ISF to raise over $18 million. She discuss...

Today, we are re-airing our conversation with Dr. E. Anders Kolb to celebrate an exciting milestone: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is now Blood Cancer United. This new name reflects the organization’s commitment to uniting everyone impacted by the 100+ different types of blood cancer.  Dr. Kolb, President & CEO, brings both professional expertise as a renowned pediatric hematologist onco...

Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, shares his journey from early-career public health professional to nationally recognized chief influencer. He describes his philosophy of venture philanthropy, approaching the foundation not as a traditional grant-maker, but as a risk-tolerant changemaker, much like an investor on Shark Tank. For Dr. Castrucci, philanthropy’s gr...

Nneka Chiazor, President of the Public Affairs Council, discusses the evolving role of influence, leadership, and authenticity in today’s complex and fast-paced environment. Drawing on her deep experience in both the public and private sectors, including leading 1,200 employees at Cox Communications, Nneka shares why public affairs is no longer a cost center but a strategic investment in social ca...

Graham McMahon, President and CEO of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), discusses how he's revolutionizing medical education not as a compliance task but as an invigorating journey for clinicians. McMahon brings a wealth of experience from Harvard Medical School and the New England Journal of Medicine, advocating for learning as a lifelong privilege. Key topics inc...

This special episode of Chief Influencer features guest host Liesl Riddle, Dean of the College of Professional Studies at the George Washington University, and Lorraine K. Lee, a bestselling author and authority on workplace communication and executive presence. Lorraine, known for her work with top-tier organizations like Amazon, Zoom, and Cisco, shares insights from her book 'Unforgettable Prese...

Anna Palmer, the founder and CEO of Punchbowl News, a media company focused on the power, people, and politics of Washington, D.C.. Palmer details the creation and growth of Punchbowl News, which she co-founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide an insider's perspective on the U.S. Congress. She explains that her company’s success is built on a community-centric model that views its audience...

In this heartfelt episode of Chief Influencer, host Anthony Shop sits down with Mary Fete, Executive Director of the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED). A registered nurse by training, Mary shares how listening has been the foundation of her leadership, fueling a global nonprofit that spans 120 countries and supports thousands of families affected by rare disorders. She reflects...

In this special Chief Influencer Power Breakfast episode, Anthony moderates a dynamic panel featuring five powerhouse nonprofit CEOs. Together, they explore how leaders can harness the power of personal branding to amplify their missions and drive greater impact. You'll hear real-world strategies and inspiring stories from: 📌 Steve Schwab (Elizabeth Dole Foundation) 📌 Jean Accius (Creating Healt...

What does it take to protect freedom of expression in a time when Americans are more divided than ever?  Jan Neuharth is the Chair and CEO of the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all. She shares the story of how she led the organization through a bold transformation—from operating a museum on Pennsylvania Avenue to becoming a mission-driven...

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...

Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, founding partner of Face The Fight, and one of TIME's 100 most influential philanthropists, shares her unexpected journey from Harvard Law School to leading a major philanthropic foundation — a path shaped by lived experience, deep listening, and a passion for community. We explore how early moments, like volunteering with seniors as a youth, continu...

Frederique Irwin, President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum, discusses her transformative vision for the museum to become a dynamic, digital-first institution reaching audiences nationwide. She reflects on her diverse career, starting from founding 'herCorner' to leading impactful initiatives at the Sorenson Impact Center. Fred highlights the significance of empowering women and her...

Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association, shares his thoughtful and consistent approach to member engagement, both within his team and across his organization’s national network. From recognizing the power of elevating member voices through authentic storytelling, Matt shares how he positions people as the most valuable influencers. Takeaways: Hire a Great Team and...

Rob Sand is the 33rd State Auditor of Iowa, known for his commitment to transparency, accessibility, and accountability in government. Elected in 2018, Sand previously served as Iowa’s Chief Public Corruption Prosecutor, where he led the investigation into the largest lottery rigging scheme in American history. He emphasizes the importance of being accessible to constituents through initiatives li...

We are thrilled to present a special co-promotion episode, bringing you a fantastic discussion from the CitiesSpeak podcast, produced by the National League of Cities! Join CitiesSpeak host Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities, for an insightful conversation with Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser shares her compelling journey into public service, her motivations...