John Scola

“Doing Good—and Doing Right: Why Ethics Is Essential to Public Trust”

Leaders in government and community service don’t take on these roles because it’s easy. We do it because we care—about people, about places, about outcomes that improve lives. But caring alone isn’t enough. To earn and keep the public’s trust, we must lead not just with passion, but with principle.

That’s the focus of the latest Community Catalysts episode featuring John Scola, Senior Vice President of Advancement at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and Chair of the Global Ethics Committee for AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals).

In this candid conversation, John doesn’t talk about ethics as a policy manual. He talks about it as a personal and professional commitment—especially when the stakes are high, the pressure is real, and the lines get blurry.

• What does it actually mean to be ethical in public life?
• How do we weigh transparency, honesty, and accountability in a world full of shortcuts?
• And how can we make sure our actions match our values, even when doing so costs time, money, or comfort?

John’s insights apply far beyond the nonprofit world. Whether you serve a city, town, county, or school district—or you lead from within a civic organization—this conversation is a reminder that ethics is what makes the public good possible. It’s what allows people to believe in the institutions and individuals they rely on.

Tune in: “Doing Good and Doing Right” is available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Because in public service, the goal isn’t just to make things better—it’s to do so in a way that earns trust, invites belief, and stands the test of scrutiny.