What does it take to influence behavior in a polarized world — especially when lives are on the line?In this episode of Chief Influencer, host Anthony Shop sits down with Jonathan Adkins, CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association, to explore how influence, storytelling, and authenticity can drive real-world change. Jonathan shares how he evolved from a communications professional to a CEO, why communicators make strong leaders, and how he has built coalitions across government, business, and advocacy groups to tackle America’s roadway safety crisis. The conversation spans leadership visibility, survivor advocacy, LinkedIn strategy, podcasting, and the role of influence in shaping both public policy and public behavior.But this conversation goes far beyond traffic safety. Jonathan offers a thoughtful perspective on leadership in an era where trust is fragmented, and attention is scarce. He explains why leaders must listen before they speak, why authenticity matters more than perfection, and why influence is only valuable if it leads to action. For executives, communicators, and changemakers alike, this episode is a powerful reminder that the most effective leaders are not necessarily the loudest — they are the ones who connect stories, people, and purpose to inspire meaningful change.Takeaways:Influence Must Lead to Action: Jonathan believes influence is only meaningful if it drives measurable change — whether that’s safer roads, stronger policies, or cultural shifts around behavior and accountability.Communicators Make Strong Leaders: Having risen from communications into the CEO role, Jonathan argues communicators belong at the decision-making table from the very beginning — not just when it’s time to announce a decision.Stories Make People Care: Data creates credibility, but stories create emotional connection. Jonathan combines both to help audiences understand the human cost behind roadway safety statistics.Authenticity Builds Trust: Whether on LinkedIn, in podcasts, or during in-person conversations, Jonathan emphasizes showing up as a real person — not just a title. He believes leaders gain influence when they embrace authenticity instead of over-curating their image.Listening Is a Leadership Skill: Jonathan explains that leadership in a polarized environment requires listening more than speaking, asking better questions, and staying open to perspectives that differ from your own.Empower Others to Expand Influence: One of Jonathan’s core leadership philosophies is elevating his team and giving others the platform to shine — whether through media opportunities, conferences, or social media visibility.Consistency Creates Momentum: From LinkedIn engagement to podcasting and coalition-building, Jonathan shows how consistent communication and visibility can steadily grow trust, partnerships, and influence over time.Quote of the Show:“Influence is about making change and being effective at making change.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanghsa/ Website: https://www.ghsa.org/ 

In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anthony Shop sits down with Michael Hund, CEO of EB Research Partnership, to explore how influence, storytelling, and venture philanthropy can accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare. Michael shares the remarkable journey behind EBRP’s innovative, investment-minded model, which has helped expand the epidermolysis bullosa (EB) clinical trial landscape from just two trials to more than fifty and contributed to multiple FDA-approved therapies. The conversation also dives into the unexpected evolution of the Netflix documentary Matter of Time, which brought unprecedented visibility to EB and the broader rare disease community through the power of music, storytelling, and authentic community-building.Beyond rare disease advocacy, this episode is a masterclass in influence-driven leadership. Michael explains why trust, vulnerability, and transparency are essential to building movements that endure. From lessons learned growing up on a Kansas cattle ranch to scaling a nonprofit like a venture capital firm, he shares how leaders can “run toward the storm,” embrace bold innovation, and create communities that transform visibility into action. The conversation offers valuable lessons for executives, communicators, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs seeking to build trust, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.Takeaways:Visibility Creates Momentum: Rare disease communities often feel invisible, but visibility can become a catalyst for funding, innovation, and systemic change.Community Is More Powerful Than Audience: Building true community creates lasting engagement, advocacy, and shared ownership far beyond impressions or awareness campaigns.Run Toward the Storm: Great leaders don’t avoid hard problems—they confront them directly, even when outcomes are uncertain.Trust Requires Vulnerability: Transparency, honesty, and listening deeply to stakeholders are essential to building durable influence.Lead From Behind: Effective leadership is often less about commanding from the front and more about empowering teams while staying close enough to guide and support.Storytelling Accelerates Change: The Matter of Time documentary succeeded because it translated complex science and painful realities into emotionally resonant human stories.Innovation Needs Bold Business Models: Venture philanthropy demonstrates how nonprofit organizations can apply entrepreneurial thinking to dramatically accelerate impact.Quote of the Show:“The best cowboy and the leader always stayed in the back of a cattle drive.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhund/ Website: https://www.ebresearch.org/ Matter of Time Netflix Documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/82184383 

What does it really mean to lead ethically when the rules keep changing, and the public is watching every move? In this special live edition of Chief Influencer, recorded before a live audience at The George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) as part of the Paul O'Dwyer Forum for Political Ethics at GSPM, an annual endowed lecture series dedicated to advancing the study of ethics in political life, host Nneka Chiazor (President & CEO, Public Affairs Council) moderates a candid, high-stakes conversation about ethics, influence, and power in today's polarized world. It's exactly the kind of conversation GW was built for, where the next generation of leaders sits in the same room as the people who have already been tested.Joined by former Congressman Michael Capuano (MA), former Congresswoman Mimi Walters (CA), and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Brody Mullins, author of The Wolves of K Street, the panel pulls no punches. Both Michael and Mimi served on the House Ethics Committee, and Brody has spent decades exposing the hidden mechanics of Washington influence. Together, they explore where ethical lines are drawn, who draws them, and what happens when no one does.This episode is produced in partnership with GW's Graduate School of Political Management and the Former Members of Congress Association (FMC). This is a rare, unfiltered conversation from people who have lived it, and it's essential listening for anyone who wants to lead with integrity in a world where influence and accountability are constantly in tension.Takeaways: Ethics Evolves with Society: Ethical standards are not static. The panel explored how cultural expectations shift over time and how leaders must continuously reassess where the lines are drawn.Transparency Builds Accountability: Modern ethics systems increasingly rely on disclosure and public visibility, placing greater responsibility on both leaders and the public to evaluate behavior.Influence Requires Internal Integrity: Both former members of Congress emphasized that ethical leadership begins with personal accountability—making decisions you can defend to your family, your constituents, and yourself.Social Media Has Changed the Ethics Landscape: The panel discussed how platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok have accelerated exposure, shifted power dynamics, and transformed how scandals emerge and spread.Most Leaders Are Trying to Do the Right Thing: Despite the focus on scandal in media coverage, Brody Mullins argued that the overwhelming majority of public servants and professionals operate ethically and responsibly.Courage Is a Leadership Skill: Whether reporting misconduct, standing up to donors, or challenging colleagues, ethical leadership often requires the willingness to be unpopular in the short term.The Next Generation Needs Ethical Preparedness: The conversation closed with a powerful discussion about whether institutions should proactively teach students how to navigate abuses of power, much like workplace safety or crisis preparedness training.Quote of the Show:"The rule in DC, I felt, always was, if you don't wanna see it above the fold on the front page of The Washington Post, then don't do it. Well, there is no above the fold anymore. There's no Washington Post anymore. So what is the rule now?" - Brody MullinsLinks:Mimi WaltersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-walters-8434179/ Brody MullinsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-mullins/ Website: https://www.brodymullins.co/ Michael E. CapuanoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-e-capuano-54013915b/ Nneka ChiazorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nneka-chiazor/ Website: https://linktr.ee/pacouncil Sponsors:GSPM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gspmgwu-/ GSPM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gspmgwu/FMC Website: https://www.usafmc.org/ 

In this episode of Chief Influencer, guest host Lesley Lopez sits down with Francesca Ioffreda, Maryland’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer. With a career spanning roles at Harvard University, Brookings Institution, and the Greater Washington Partnership, Francesca shares how her mission to expand economic opportunity led her to this groundbreaking role. She discusses how Maryland is tackling complex challenges like childhood poverty and economic mobility through human-centered design, data, and cross-sector collaboration.A key driver behind this work is the state’s partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, which helped stand up Maryland’s innovation team and enable a new model for how government can operate. This conversation highlights a broader lesson about influence: the most effective leaders don’t just introduce bold ideas—they build trust, convene stakeholders, and co-create solutions with the people they serve. From launching tools like the Maryland Community Business Compass to working across government and applying AI to help agencies improve public-facing resources and work more efficiently, this episode offers a blueprint for leaders looking to turn vision into practical, measurable impact. Takeaways:Innovation Is About Solving Problems, Not Just Building Technology: Technology matters, but it is only part of the answer. The strongest innovation begins with understanding people’s needs and building solutions that respond to real challenges.Put People at the Center: Human-centered design and community engagement help leaders create solutions shaped by lived experience.Data-Driven and Heart-Led Wins: Great leaders combine rigorous analysis with empathy and lived experience.Influence Means Innovating With Community: The strongest leaders do not innovate in isolation. They build trust, stay close to communities, and shape solutions with the people they are meant to serve.Trust Is Built Through Showing Up: Relationships are built in community meetings and gatherings, over coffee, and through consistent engagement—not just in launch announcements.AI Should Free Humans to Be More Human: Used thoughtfully, AI can remove friction, save time, and allow public servants to focus on serving people.Results Build Momentum: Early wins and visible progress help build trust, strengthen confidence, and bring more people along.Quote of the Show:“A core part of our theory of influencing is also allowing ourselves to be influenced by Marylanders. It's not just us innovating for others; it's that we are innovating together.”Links:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/francescaioffreda Maryland State Innovation Team Website: https://innovation.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx Maryland Community Business Compass: https://compass.maryland.gov/ 

In this special in-person episode recorded at The George Washington University, Anthony Shop sits down with Dan Simons, co-founder of Farmers Restaurant Group, to explore what it truly means to lead with influence in today’s complex and fast-moving world. Known for building a mission-driven hospitality brand that connects American family farmers to the urban table, Dan shares how success is not built on polished narratives—but on embracing the full picture, including failure, struggle, and growth.Throughout the conversation, Dan challenges traditional notions of leadership, advocating for radical transparency, operational excellence, and a deeply human approach to business. From navigating criticism and scaling culture, to prioritizing mental health and aligning purpose with performance, Dan offers a candid and practical blueprint for leaders who want to build organizations that are both high-performing and deeply meaningful.Takeaways:Don’t lead from the highlight reel—lead from the full story: Influence comes from authenticity. Sharing struggles and failures builds trust and creates a deeper connection with your team and audience.Operational excellence is the ultimate marketing strategy: Before investing in messaging, fix the fundamentals. If the product or experience fails, no amount of marketing can compensate.Start with internal influence before external impact: You cannot build brand advocates externally without first creating alignment, trust, and belief inside your organization.Treat criticism as data—not a personal attack: Filter feedback to identify the root issue. Remove emotion, find the signal, and use it to improve systems and performance.Humanize your business to stay relevant: Today’s audiences connect with people, not logos. Leaders must step forward and give their organizations a voice.Align mission with reality: Purpose matters—but it cannot come at the expense of sustainability. Strong businesses balance values with operational discipline.Coaching in the moment builds culture faster than policies: Real-time feedback, grounded in trust and relationships, drives performance and reinforces shared standards.Quote of the Show:“If your business doesn’t have a voice, then by definition it can’t be in a conversation.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansimonssays/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansimonssays/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsimonssays YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe9opWoLOjjTr7MlXOrooSAFounding DC Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/founding-dc/id1800509479  Website: https://www.farmersrestaurantgroup.com/