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 marriage equality and finding common ground across ideological divides. Evan reflects on what it means to lead with authenticity, how visibility fuels influence, and why meeting people where they are—especially in times of polarization—is essential for progress. With characteristic optimism, he reveals how today’s challenges have sparked a new wave of leaders stepping forward to serve and why he believes the future of democracy depends on ensuring every voice is heard and seen.Takeaways:Visibility is Influence. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Representation creates pathways for others and strengthens democracy.Meet People Where They Are. True influence requires empathy, listening, and finding shared values—even across ideological divides.Resilience Is the Secret Weapon. Failures and setbacks are part of leadership. Learn, adapt, and rise stronger.Authenticity Builds Trust. Being transparent about your journey invites connection and fosters credibility.Invest in Future Leaders. Training and mentorship create pipelines for sustainable impact.Use Your Platform Wisely. In today’s digital world, leaders must tell their own stories with clarity and purpose.Democracy Thrives on Inclusion. The more diverse the voices at the table, the stronger our institutions become.Quote of the Show:“If you're not at the table, you're on the menu. You have to show up, but you have to do that authentically.”Links:Evan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-low-1952064/ VF LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/victoryfund/VF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoryfund/ Website: https://victoryfund.org/ 

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 accessibility over adoption.In this wide-ranging conversation, she explains how blockchain can be demystified through trust and relationships, why public policy and tech innovation must work together, and how influence today is built not through status but through consistency. Cleve also reflects on her evolution as a thought leader, building a 10,000-subscriber media platform from a simple Mailchimp newsletter, and offers timeless advice on how to stay grounded, passionate, and true to your purpose in a world that’s changing faster than ever.Takeaways:Start with Accessibility, Not Adoption. Focus on educating and empowering people to understand technology, even before they use it.Build Trust Through Relationships. Demystify complex topics by connecting on a human level and using plain, relatable language.Be Consistent. Whether it’s publishing weekly or showing up daily, consistency is the foundation of influence.Bridge the Gaps Between Worlds. Influence happens at intersections—between policy and innovation, Washington and crypto, tradition and disruption.Simplify the Story. Translate technical concepts into simple truths. As Cleve says, blockchain just “securely verifies information and facilitates exchange without third parties.”Own Your Journey. Mistakes and pivots are part of building credibility—own them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.Lead with Passion and Purpose. Influence isn’t about titles; it’s about showing up consistently for what you believe in.Quote of the Show:“Be consistent. Whether you have five readers or five million, keep showing up—because that’s what builds influence.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmesi/ Butterscotch Media Website: https://butterscotch.media/ Blockchain Foundation Website: https://theblockfound.com/ 

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 explains Liechtenstein’s unique blend of entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and democratic tradition, while also reflecting on how credibility is built through consistency, expertise, and persistence. Ambassador Sparber also highlights the evolving role of diplomacy in the digital age, using platforms like LinkedIn to extend reach and foster genuine relationships. His stories, from honoring a fallen soldier with Liechtenstein heritage at Arlington National Cemetery to forging international coalitions at the UN, reveal a powerful message: influence is about leaving a trace that can grow into impactTakeaways:Punch Above Your Weight: Small organizations, or even small nations, can make a major global impact. The key is focusing on credibility and expertise. By demonstrating competence and thought leadership in specific areas, you can command respect far beyond your size. As Ambassador Sparber noted, smaller players often need to be better in order to be taken seriously, but that higher standard can also become their strength.Consistency Builds Trust: Influence doesn’t come from one-off actions. It is built steadily over time through repetition, reliability, and steadfast advocacy. When others know what you stand for and can count on you to show up consistently, you become a trusted voice in your field.Leverage Core Strengths: Instead of trying to do everything, focus on what you do uniquely well and use that as a platform for broader contributions. Liechtenstein, for example, leveraged its expertise in financial services to fight global human trafficking through the Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) initiative. Every leader or organization has a comparable strength they can amplify for outsized influence.Relationships Matter Most: At the heart of influence are people. Personal, face-to-face relationships often outlast policy shifts, headlines, or crises. Ambassador Sparber emphasized that trust built through genuine human connection creates enduring goodwill and opens doors for meaningful dialogue, even years down the road.Use Digital Diplomacy: Influence today requires showing up both in-person and online. Platforms like LinkedIn offer unique opportunities for direct engagement and visibility, particularly in spaces where others may not yet be active. By being intentional and authentic in digital spaces, leaders can extend their reach and strengthen relationships formed offline.Leave a Trace: True influence is not always immediate or obvious. Often, it’s about leaving a trace, planting seeds of understanding, trust, or possibility that may only bear fruit later. Whether it’s a conversation, a symbolic act, or a coalition built quietly behind the scenes, the impact often unfolds in unexpected but powerful ways.Do What You Love: Passion is one of the most powerful drivers of influence. When you pursue work you truly enjoy, you naturally develop expertise and authenticity, which others are drawn to. Ambassador Sparber encouraged leaders to focus on what they love to do, because that’s where they will be both most effective and most inspiring.Quote of the Show:“To be effective, you must be consistent in what you advocate for and in what you believe is important, while also treating problems as your own and considering how you can contribute to solutions; credibility then emerges from the expertise and know-how you can reliably bring, and often smaller players must excel beyond larger ones to make a meaningful impact.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georg-sparber-30222413a/ Website: https://www.liechtensteinusa.org/ 

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 central idea is that this tangible work, often performed in teams and disconnected from technology, not only preserves natural spaces but also empowers youth, giving them a sense of agency and helping to combat climate anxiety. This approach fosters teamwork and provides young people with real-world skills and the satisfaction of seeing the direct impact of their efforts.The conversation also delves into Lidia's personal leadership philosophy, which is rooted in being approachable and "real". She uses creative tools, such as her "selfie with my CEO" patch, now updated with a QR code linking to her LinkedIn profile, to forge genuine connections with both young people and adults. She advocates for a leadership style that is hands-on and curious about the experiences of those in the field, rejecting a top-down approach. Lidia emphasizes the crucial importance of leaders transitioning from mentorship to actively sponsoring diverse talent, thereby opening doors for others in tangible ways. Her identity as a Cuban American immigrant informs her commitment to inclusion and her responsibility to be a visible, approachable role model for the next generation.Takeaways:Make opportunities accessible. Paying young people for their contributions opens doors that unpaid experiences often close.Connect by caring. Influence starts with genuine curiosity—ask questions, listen deeply, and show you care (even if it means carrying cupcakes up a mountain).Lead from the field. Authentic leadership means rolling up your sleeves and experiencing the work alongside your team.Bridge policy and practice. Real change happens when systemic solutions connect with on-the-ground realities.Be real on social media. Skip the polish—authentic, immediate, and heartfelt posts resonate most.Move from mentorship to sponsorship. It’s not enough to guide; leaders must actively open doors and advocate for emerging talent.Celebrate progress. Help teams look back at how far they’ve come—it fuels momentum for what’s ahead.Quote of the Show:“Influence means tapping into previous chapters of your life to find helpful connections, information, or proven methods that you can implement in your current chapter. It's the ability to reflect on that path—that trail, if you will—and use it to propel yourself forward.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidia-soto-harmon-a921a213/ Website: https://thesca.org/ 

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 them to create space for others, whether by centering team members in organizational conversations or elevating LGBTQ+ youth as the true face of the mission. From building coalitions to tackling systemic challenges, to prioritizing where they can have the most impact, to leading with shared humanity in the face of political division, Jaymes offers powerful lessons on influence rooted in authenticity, courage, and collaboration.Takeaways:Influence Should Flow, Not Force: Leaders should see influence as an emotional connection, not a power play. Forcing decisions creates resistance, but influence that flows—rooted in empathy and shared values—opens minds and builds trust.Authenticity Strengthens Leadership: Showing up as your true self makes you a more inclusive and effective leader. Leaders who embrace their identities create space for others to do the same, fostering stronger teams and deeper trust.Share the Stage to Elevate Others: Leadership isn’t about always being the face of the mission. By highlighting team members and giving them visibility—such as panel discussions at The Trevor Project—leaders amplify voices and strengthen organizational culture.Focus on Shared Humanity to Bridge Divides: When engaging with skeptics or opponents, emphasize shared values (like protecting youth) rather than differences. Framing influence around humanity creates openings for dialogue across political or cultural divides.Be Strategic About Where You Show Up: You can’t be everywhere at once. Leaders should prioritize the spaces where they can have the greatest influence, delegate when possible, and give themselves permission to say no.Build Coalitions to Tackle Systemic Challenges: Big missions require collaboration. Leaders should partner with other organizations, share best practices, and co-create solutions to achieve lasting impact.Influence Starts Inside the Organization: External influence is only sustainable if internal teams feel seen, heard, and connected. Leaders must go beyond town halls—engaging in smaller, authentic conversations that build trust and align people with the mission.Quote of the Show:“You can be yourself—you can embrace your multitudes—and still be a leader. That’s what makes us powerful. That’s what makes us more influential.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejaymesblack/ Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/