Community Catalysts

You want to make a difference. But in civic leadership, doing good isn’t enough—it matters how you do it.

In this episode, John Scola—Senior VP of Advancement at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and Chair of the Global Ethics Committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)—shares real-world insights on leading with integrity.

What does it mean to act ethically under pressure? And how do you build trust when doing t...

What happens when someone walks into City Hall, starts filming, and refuses to explain why? For many local officials, that’s the reality of so-called “First Amendment audits.” In this timely episode, Wade Beltramo, General Counsel of NYCOM, helps us navigate the legal and emotional challenges behind these confrontational encounters.

Wade explains the strong deference courts give to First Amendment rights—e...

Leadership doesn’t always begin with a plan. For Mayor Deborah Hudson of Wilton, Alabama, it began with a simple errand—paying her water bill—and turned into a moment of truth for her town. With the mayor, clerk, utility staff, and most of the council gone, Wilton was in chaos. She could have walked away. Instead, she stepped up.

In this episode, Mayor Hudson shares how she took the reins in a time of diso...

Recorded live for the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI), this episode features a dialogue with Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott on the statewide impacts of shifting federal policy. Speaking to local leaders across Northern Virginia, the Speaker outlines the work of the Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions and discusses the need for fact-based, bipar...

"Leading with Cariño" with Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Description:

What does it look like when a city builds compassion into its culture—not as sentiment, but as strategy? Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer of Las Cruces, New Mexico, shares how the city’s philosophy of Cariño—a Spanish word for care and kindness—guides both i...

In this extended episode recorded live for the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI), former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson offers a candid look at what it means to govern through complexity. Reflecting on his years in office—and on the pressures facing today’s local leaders—Wilson shares insights on public trust, political risk, and the essential role of local government in times of national uncertainty. From man...

In a digital age where public dialogue is often drowned out by outrage and misinformation, civic leaders face an urgent challenge: How can they hear—and serve—the whole community, not just the loudest voices? Kevin Lyons, co-founder of FlashVote, joins the conversation to explore what it takes to make local decision-making more representative, responsive, and resilient. From cutting through the clamor of public comment...

Mayor Mike Oakley’s leadership journey spans nearly four decades in military service and now guides his work as mayor of Centreville, Alabama. In the military, leadership meant executing a mission with discipline and precision. In local government, it’s about trust, collaboration, and community-building.  In this episode, he shares how he’s adapted from commanding troops in combat zones to uniting a small town—offering...

With Memorial Day approaching, we share a personal reflection from our February 11, 2025, conversation with Mayor Brian Vincent of Farmville, VA. After his interview, he spoke about his father, the late Lieutenant Colonel Rick Vincent, U.S. Army—his service, sacrifice, and the profound impact of his legacy. This Memorial Day, let’s reflect on our responsibility as community leaders to honor those who gave their lives a...

Leadership isn’t just about advancing your mission—it’s about forging professional partnerships that amplify impact. With over 40 years in animal welfare (that’s 280 in dog years!), Jim Tedford shares hard-earned insights that apply to leaders in any field. His message? Strengthen your network, invest in the next generation, and recognize that real progress happens through collaboration, not in isolation. Tune in for a...

In this special episode of Community Catalysts, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine offers a candid, unflinching look at the challenges facing local leaders today. Recorded live on May 2nd as part of the Spring 2025 Leadership Dialogues hosted by RELI—the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government—Senator Kaine discusses the erosion of public trust, the shifting landscape ...

How do local leaders earn trust and navigate governance effectively? Ian Coyle, former Chief Administrative Officer of Livingston County, NY, and now President of Pracademic Partners, shares lessons from his career, including becoming New York’s youngest municipal manager at 24. He unpacks the unique leadership role of municipal administrators, the power of direct public engagement, and the challenge of staying profess...

Ilryong Moon, the first Asian-American elected to public office in Fairfax County, shares how a personal reckoning pushed him to step beyond the boundaries of his immigrant experience and into a life of public service. From repeating high school to master English, to graduating from Harvard, practicing law, and serving on one of the nation’s largest school boards, his journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and repres...

Chuck Frye, Jr., Vice Mayor of Fredericksburg, Virginia, shares how open, honest dialogue led his community to reverse a controversial decision on removing a historic slave auction block. What began as a 6-1 vote against became a 6-1 vote in favor—driven not by pressure, but by empathy as a shared process. This episode reveals how civic leadership is about more than decisions—it’s about creating space for understanding.

Read more