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/ 

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 cutting-edge technology to connect history to today’s challenges. He reflects on what it means to make an institution porous, inviting the community in for everything from the Stars and Stripes Picnic to championship parades, and why influence comes not from being the center of the story, but from serving others and helping them create their own memories.Along the way, listeners will hear lessons in leadership, philanthropy, and trust, from rethinking board engagement, to building unexpected partnerships (yes, even around tattoos and cannabis), to using language as a tool for uniting rather than dividing.If you’ve ever wondered how influence can be rooted in service, humility, and storytelling, this episode is for you.Takeaways:Lead with service, not ego. Influence grows when you focus on helping others create their stories rather than positioning yourself as the star.Make your organization “porous.” Remove barriers and invite people in—whether for community events, partnerships, or unexpected collaborations.Balance reverence with honesty. Honor sacrifice while also “confessing the horrors” of difficult truths—holding tension builds credibility and trust.Leverage technology to deepen human connection. Use immersive storytelling tools, but root them in authentic voices and real history.Play to your board members’ strengths. Align their passions and assets with your mission to multiply your organization’s impact.Expand influence through partnerships. Collaborate outside traditional boundaries (tattoos, cannabis, sports) to connect with new audiences.Guard public trust. Transparency, ethics, and accountability are non-negotiable—especially when leading institutions that carry civic responsibility.Quote of the Show:“I have learned that by calling people or articulating a vision, a hopeful future for an organization, being able to articulate the purpose of the organization, and inviting people if that resonates with them to be a part of it, is a really powerful way of influencing others.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattnaylor/ Website: https://www.theworldwar.org/ 

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 discusses the foundation's evolution from focusing on her daughter's story to embracing the stories of other children, which expanded their mission to support all rare pediatric cancers. Erin offers a look into her authentic and sometimes "crass" communication style, the importance of building a true community around a cause, and the strategic decision to operate in the "messy middle" of nonprofits—filling gaps that larger organizations may overlook and smaller ones cannot afford. She also reveals her innovative fundraising strategies, such as creating events that prioritize attendee experience over explicit branding, and offers advice to other parents who are considering starting a foundation in the wake of loss.Takeaways:Center the "Why," but Evolve the Narrative: While the foundation began with Isabella's personal and magnetic story, Erin strategically expanded the narrative to include other children and different rare cancers. This not only allowed her family some privacy but also scaled the foundation's reach and impact by resonating with a wider community.Embrace Authentic Communication: Erin advocates for a leadership style that is real and direct, even if it feels "crass". She found that channeling her genuine frustration and anger connected deeply with her target audience of mothers and supporters who felt the same way, proving that authenticity builds trust and inspires action.Find Power in the "Messy Middle": ISF thrives by filling the gaps between small grassroots efforts and large national organizations. By focusing on community-based needs like funding nurse navigators, mental health services, or fertility preservation programs not covered by insurance, "messy middle" nonprofits can make a critical and tangible impact.Build a Community, Not Just an Audience: Erin emphasizes knowing her donors personally, creating a "community tribe" where people feel seen and part of the mission. This deep sense of community fosters loyalty and powerful, word-of-mouth advocacy that fuels growth.Reinvent Fundraising by Focusing on the Experience: To combat donor fatigue, Erin developed a fundraising event "disguised" as a fun, desirable experience—a meet-and-greet with stars from Bravo's Southern Charm—that prioritized the audience's enjoyment. This strategy generated unprecedented buzz and financial success by meeting the audience where they are, rather than leading with the organization's brand.Influence is About Legacy: Erin defines influence as the ability to leave a legacy that makes the world a better place. By educating her community and empowering them to become advocates, her influence extends through a "telephone game" of shared stories and passion, ensuring her daughter's impact will last forever.Pause Before Starting Your Own Foundation: When advising parents experiencing loss, Erin suggests they take time and first consider partnering with an established organization. This approach allows them to channel their passion productively without immediately taking on the lifelong emotional weight and market challenges of running a founder-led nonprofit.Quote of the Show:"We're out there raising money for kids who haven't even been diagnosed yet... It's not about saving a person, it's about saving a generation of kids that are coming up, and that makes it what's even more special".Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinrsantos/ Website: https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/ 

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 oncologist and a deeply personal commitment shaped by his wife’s battle with follicular lymphoma. In this episode, he shares powerful insights on fostering community engagement, driving scientific innovation, and advocating for health equity.His leadership, rooted in empathy, purpose, and a vision for better patient outcomes, underscores why Blood Cancer United is one of the most influential organizations in cancer research and patient support.Takeaways:Embrace a Learner's Mindset: Always approach new situations with a willingness to learn, listen before acting, and consider experts' opinions. This mindset fosters continuous growth and effective problem-solving.Understand the Business: Take the time to deeply understand the business operations and challenges, even if it requires a significant investment of time, such as through a listening tour or similar initiative.Stay Connected to the Mission: Ensure that all team members remain focused on the organization's mission. Start meetings with a "mission moment" to ground everyone in the purpose of their work, which can keep the team inspired and aligned.Advocate for Patients and Families: As a healthcare organization, always prioritize the needs of patients and families in your initiatives. This strengthens any organization's credibility and trustworthiness and ensures that efforts are patient-centered.Inspire Through Communication: Use empathy in your interactions to connect emotionally with your team and motivate them. Sharing patient stories and emphasizing the impact of their work can enhance commitment and drive.Lead by Example: Demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn from others, regardless of your position. This leadership style fosters a collaborative environment and encourages others to adopt a similar approach.Solve the Big Problems: Lean into the challenges faced by the community you serve. Collect stories and data to identify systemic issues and work collaboratively to find meaningful solutions. This approach ensures that the organization addresses the root causes of problems effectively.Quote of the Show: "In our company meetings, we always start with a mission moment, grounding ourselves in the patient experience and celebrating exciting innovations from our research funding. This ensures everyone is present, inspired, and ready to dive into our work."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-anders-kolb-md-5508a7a/ Website: https://www.lls.org/ Shout Outs:Nemours Children’s Health: https://www.nemours.org/ Sidney Kimmel Medical College: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/skmc.htmlDelaware Today: https://delawaretoday.com/ Philadelphia Magazine: https://www.phillymag.com/ SEMA: https://sites.sema.org/awards/award_sema_news_articles.php Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/ AKACA: https://advocacy.lls.org/a/akaca Myeloma Link: https://www.lls.org/myeloma-linkLLS PedAL: https://www.lls.org/dare-to-dream/pedal FDA: https://www.fda.gov/ 

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 greatest asset isn’t cash, it’s the courage to take risks and go where others won’t. This mindset is reflected in the foundation’s efforts to boost vaccination rates among conservatives and in the strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships it forges across the public health sector.He reflects on pivotal career moments, including advice from a mentor to go "be a pirate" before returning to philanthropy and the experience of being passed over for the CEO role, a setback he now sees as crucial for shifting his focus from personal achievement to organizational growth. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Castrucci emphasizes the importance of building an authentic, bottom-up work culture, using storytelling to advance public health, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth.Takeaways:Align Roles with Individual Strengths: A leader's job is to put people in positions where they can succeed and feel fulfilled. Instead of rigidly adhering to a job description, identify what your team members are uniquely good at and align their tasks accordingly. For example, if one person is a phenomenal community organizer but a weaker writer, let them focus on outreach while a stronger writer on the team handles those tasks.Go Where No One Else Is: To have an outsized impact, especially as a smaller organization, find the niche where others aren't working. Dr. Castrucci applied this by pivoting to focus on COVID-19 vaccine messaging for conservatives when most other large foundations were focused on communities of color, allowing de Beaumont's investment to have a significant, undiluted impact.Embrace Risk and Learn from Mistakes: View philanthropy and leadership through a "venture" lens where risk is your most valuable asset. Your role isn't just to implement what's already proven but to fund new ideas and evolve the evidence base for your field. Adopt the mindset that it's okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from each one and don't repeat it.Foster a Culture of Authenticity: Leaders set the tone for the entire organization. By being open about your own life and priorities outside of work—such as leaving early for a child's concert—you make it acceptable for everyone else to bring their whole selves to work. This creates a more supportive and humane environment where people are comfortable sharing when they need flexibility.Practice Bi-Directional Mentorship: Mentorship shouldn't only flow from the "grizzled older veteran" to the early-career professional. Leaders can gain valuable perspective and stay ahead of evolving trends by actively learning from Gen Z and millennial employees. Use platforms like LinkedIn to engage in these egalitarian exchanges of ideas, where a good idea can be recognized regardless of age or title.Hire for Hunger and Smarts, Not Just Experience: Look beyond traditional credentials to hire people who are "whip smart" and hungry to learn, even if they seem inexperienced for the role on paper. This approach allows you to attract incredible talent that larger organizations might overlook. Throwing smart, capable people onto the field on day one allows them to rise to the occasion and accelerates their career growth.Help Others See Their Place on a New Path: Influence is the ability to help people see a path they wouldn't have seen on their own. When leading change, it's critical to show each individual how they and their unique skills still fit in—and are valuable—on the new path forward. This addresses the natural human desire for both organizational and individual achievement, ensuring people will follow you into uncharted territory. Quote of the Show:“Influence is the ability to help others see a path that they would not have seen on their own.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianccastrucci/ Website: https://debeaumont.org/