Chief Influencer®

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...

The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy is a leading advocate for mental health and addiction. As a former Congressman, Patrick was instrumental in passing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and has spent years fighting for policy change. After leaving Congress, he founded The Kennedy Forum and co-founded One Mind to advance brain health. In this episode, Patrick delves into the ch...

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...

This special compilation episode delves into the critical and ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. It features insights from cyber leaders, Craig Newmark, Founder of Craigslist, Camille Stewart Gloster, CEO and Principal at CAS Strategies LLC, Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, and Renee DiResta, Author of “Invisible Rulers”. They all discuss navigating the complex intersection of technology, informat...

Is all influence truly local? Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities and host of the City Speak podcast, discusses the importance of inclusive leadership, the lessons from his early mayoral career, and his strategies in navigating complex political landscapes. From inclusive leadership to the power of showing up, Clarence shares how meeting communities where they are—both literally...

Francisco Jamison, a leading expert on childcare and military families, is a passionate advocate dedicated to ensuring that those who serve our country have access to the support they need at home. With deep expertise in the complex infrastructure behind military childcare, Francisco sheds light on an issue that often goes unnoticed but is essential to the well-being of military families and the s...

How can one leader spark meaningful change in science, policy, and people's lives—all at once? In this powerful interview, Dr. Tim Coetzee, President and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, shares insights from his remarkable journey in MS research and advocacy. With decades of experience, Dr. Coetzee reflects on the evolution of MS diagnosis and treatment, highlighting how cuttin...

What does it truly mean to be an influencer—not just in title, but in action, in humility, and in the way we uplift others? Edna Kane Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, AARP, explores the power of influence beyond the boardroom. From her deeply personal journey as a caregiver for her mother to her leadership in championing marginalized communities, Edna shares invaluab...

How can we bridge the gap between scientific research and policy to create lasting change in women's health? In this engaging conversation, Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research, shares her journey as a trusted leader and advocate for women's health. She dives into her work, driving major investments in research, pushing for the inclusion of pregnant and la...

How do we find consensus in a divided world? In today’s episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Judge Tunheim, Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, who has proven time and again that even in the most polarized situations, common ground can be found. He shares remarkable insights from his tenure, where he successfully led a diverse bench of judges—appo...

Elizabeth G. Taylor, Executive Director at the National Health Law Program, is a passionate advocate who has dedicated her career to fighting for Americans' access to essential health programs like Medicaid. Starting as a public defender, Elizabeth has continued her fight, now representing the nearly 80 million Americans who rely on these programs. Her message is simple but powerful: Medicaid is v...

The National Health Council (NHC) Leadership Conference brings together leaders from top patient organizations and nonprofits to foster connections, discuss leadership topics, and share best practices in nonprofit management. This year's theme, "The Future of Leadership," focused on the evolution of leadership in response to changes in healthcare, technology, policy, and crisis management. The con...

How can building strong relationships and fostering collaboration drive success in leadership and organizational growth? In this interview, Jeff, CEO of Prevent Blindness, reflects on his career in public health and leadership. Since joining in 2003, Jeff has led key initiatives like the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health and the Focus on Eye Health National Summit. He discusses...

How can a mission greater than yourself fuel meaningful change and inspire others to join the movement?  Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation shares key lessons he learned from Senator Dole, including the importance of having a mission greater than yourself for true health and vitality.  Steve discusses how authentic storytelling and persistence helped grow the Elizabeth Dole Foundat...

How can leadership in cybersecurity shape the future of national security and public awareness? In this episode of the Chief Influencer Podcast, guest host Liesl Riddle, Dean of George Washington University's College of Professional Studies, sits down with Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, to discuss his philanthropic efforts. Craig, often compared to Paul Revere, has been at the forefront of...

Ever wonder how we can find our authentic voice in a world full of competing messages?" This week’s episode is a special bonus edition! We’re bringing you exclusive content from our live interview with Terry Szuplat, a speechwriter for President Barack Obama. This interview was recorded at George Washington University and is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!  The focus of this episode i...

Today, we’re featuring some of the most inspiring guests we’ve had on the show - and it just so happens they are all women. You’ll hear from Oscar winner turned Trevor Project Founder Peggy Rajski, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker,  CNN Hero Yasmine Arrington, White House Cyber Czar Camille Stewart Gloster, ad agency legend Cary Hatch, Points of Light CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, healthcare innovator...

Emma O’Brian, the Senior Vice President of Strategy for Dow Jones, delves into her career trajectory, the role of business intelligence, and the evolving media landscape. She heads growth and innovation efforts at Dow Jones, overseeing strategy, M&A, and R&D initiatives, and serves as a member of the executive leadership team. She differentiates between news for general consumers and busin...

Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA), shares his insights into the rapidly evolving autonomous vehicle (AV) industry. With an extensive background in association leadership and policy advocacy, Jeff discusses the current state of AV technology, addressing common misconceptions and emphasizing the significant progress being made in states across the country.  He hi...