What happens when a city weaves care and compassion into the very fabric of government operations? In the latest episode of Community Catalysts, Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer of Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers a compelling answer.

What does it really take to lead a community through uncertainty, when resources are tight, trust is fraying, and the political climate feels like a minefield? In our newest Community Catalysts episode, we go deep with Justin Wilson, former Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. In a candid conversation, Wilson speaks with rare openness about what local leadership looks like in this volatile moment—not in theory, but in practice.

Kevin Lyons—co-founder and CEO of FlashVote—shares a truth that hits home for anyone in local leadership: When it comes to public input, volume isn’t the same as representation.

Some leadership lessons are forged in crisis. Others take shape through years of public service. Few people have experienced both like Mayor Mike Oakley.

After our Community Catalysts interview wrapped last February, Mayor Vincent stayed on to speak about his father, Lieutenant Colonel Rick Vincent, U.S. Army, who was killed in a nighttime training accident while preparing for the Gulf War. He was just 38. Brian was only 14.

Leadership isn’t just about advancing your own mission—it’s about building relationships that connect missions together. In my latest Community Catalysts podcast interview, Jim Tedford, CEO of the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, drives home this essential lesson.

Faith doesn’t have to be universal to be useful. Not every leader is driven by faith—but for those who are, it often plays a practical and stabilizing role in how they govern.

In May’s Local Leadership Chat, civic leaders from across the country gathered to explore a rare, but meaningful question: What happens when our faith informs our public service? Not as a political platform, but as a deeply personal compass—shaping how we show up, how we decide, and how we lead.

This is a very special conversation. Just a few days ago, I had the privilege of speaking with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine in a live, extended conversation 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.

Some leadership lessons are complex. Others are remarkably simple. In my just-published Community Catalysts podcast interview with Ian Coyle, former Chief Administrative Officer of Livingston County, NY, and now President of Pracademic Partners, one lesson stands out: great leaders double down.

Ilryong Moon came to the United States from Korea at 17. He didn’t speak much English. His family had little money. His parents, both undereducated, worked long hours to support their children in a new and unfamiliar country. Ilryong repeated a year of high school just to learn the language. From there, he went on to graduate from Harvard, build a successful law career, and eventually serve for decades on the school board of one of the nation’s largest—and most diverse—school districts.

Last week, local leaders from across the country came together for a 90-minute virtual conversation about the words we use, the values we hold, and the challenges we face. Mayors, council members, and civic officials shared candid insights—not just about policy, but about how everyday language now feels risky, and how they stay grounded in community service. Here’s what they shared.

Empathy isn’t just a personal trait—it can be a process. When communities create space for difficult conversations, real change is possible.

We often think of leadership as taking charge, making decisions, and standing firm. But Kris Amundson—former Virginia State Legislator and former Fairfax County School Board Member and Chair—reminds us of something essential: leadership is about listening, adapting, and adding voices to the conversation.