“Leading with Vision in Uncertain Times”

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 recorded live for the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative(RELI). Having just completed his term, Wilson speaks with rare openness about what local leadership looks like in this volatile moment—not in theory, but in practice.

This isn’t a retrospective. It is a clear-eyed look at what local leaders are facing right now:

• Community trust under pressure
• Federal policies creating local consequences
• Political risks that feel personal, even dangerous
• And the persistent call to keep showing up and doing the work

Wilson doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges. He speaks from experience. He governed through the pandemic, navigated vocal protests, balanced community expectations, and helped usher in major investments in education and innovation. His message is clear: local government needs more than responsiveness. It needs vision.

You’ll hear powerful reflections on why proximity to the people matters more than ever, how collaboration across jurisdictions strengthens resilience, and what it means to invest in the future rather than just react to the present.

Whether you’re a mayor, a council member, a school board trustee, or someone who works behind the scenes to make government function, this conversation will resonate. It is thoughtful, grounded, and exactly the kind of leadership dialogue we need right now.

Listen on your favorite platform: www.CommunityCatalysts.us.

This episode is presented in partnership with the Regional Elected LeadersInitiative (RELI) at George MasonUniversity’s Schar School of Policy and Government.

And if you’ve got a story from your own leadership journey—especially about finding better ways to engage your community—I’d love to feature it. Submit here: www.CatalystGuest.us.

Would YOU be interested in sharing a story from your own journey to leadership? I’m always looking for instructive and inspiring voices to feature on the show!  Let me know: www.CatalystGuest.us. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, and all podcast platforms.

To share a story from your own leadership journey, APPLY HERE to become a guest.