Chief Influencer®

Social Driver
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Washington is the Center of Influence - in the U.S. and arguably the world. Chief Influencer® spotlights leaders who have figured out how to break through in today’s fragmented and noisy world. Social Driver teamed up with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies and The Communications Board to recognize these leaders as Chief Influencers and highlight how they inspire and influence others.

  1. Craig Newmark: The Paul Revere of Cybersecurity (Re-Air)

    3D AGO

    Craig Newmark: The Paul Revere of Cybersecurity (Re-Air)

    This week, we’re revisiting our conversation with iconic guest Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist. How can leadership in cybersecurity help shape the future of national security and public awareness? In this episode of the Chief Influencer Podcast, guest host Liesl Riddle, Dean of George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies, sits down with Craig to explore his ongoing philanthropic work and advocacy in cybersecurity. Often compared to Paul Revere for his efforts to sound the alarm, Craig has been a leading voice in raising awareness around the threats facing America’s digital infrastructure. He shares how he’s working to influence key stakeholders, mobilize action, and protect both personal and national assets. From training veterans for careers in cybersecurity to building partnerships across universities and government agencies, Craig underscores the importance of collective effort in addressing today’s challenges. The conversation also highlights his leadership philosophy, rooted in the Golden Rule, and his deep commitment to supporting military families and veterans. Takeaways: Mobilize the Whole Country on Cybersecurity: A national mobilization effort is needed to protect individuals, families, homes, jobs, and infrastructure from cyber threats. This involves raising awareness and actively encouraging everyone to participate in cybersecurity efforts.Segment and Focus on Key Areas: Cybersecurity efforts should be segmented by targeting specific sectors, such as workforce development and training for veterans and their spouses, to address particular needs effectively.Implement Cybersecurity Basics in Business: Businesses, especially utilities, should adopt basic cybersecurity hygiene, ensuring that employees and devices are secure both at work and at home. Employees should be educated on maintaining cybersecurity protocols in various environments.Invest in Tools to Cut Through Confusion: It’s important to acquire advanced tools that simplify and clarify cybersecurity efforts, such as technologies that detect and manage anomalies or potential threats efficiently.Be Ready for Adversity: Preparing for negative actions from adversaries, such as dirty tricks and cyberattacks, is crucial. Being ready means having robust defenses and contingency plans in place. Quote of the Show: “Prepare to be as agile as you can because everything is way more unpredictable than it ever was.”  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craignewmark/ Website: https://craignewmarkphilanthropies.org/

    37 min
  2. Dr. Joel Braunstein on Innovating with Integrity (Re-Air)

    MAR 25

    Dr. Joel Braunstein on Innovating with Integrity (Re-Air)

    Today, we’re revisiting our conversation with Dr. Joel Braunstein, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of C₂N Diagnostics, a company dedicated to the development and commercialization of diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Braunstein offers insights from his extensive experience in the healthcare sector, detailing his academic journey and highlighting the pivotal role played by C₂N in advancing Alzheimer's diagnostics over the past two decades. Engaging in conversation with host Anthony Shop, Dr. Braunstein traces the evolution of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, from conventional methods to the groundbreaking blood test pioneered by C₂N, which provides a more accessible and less invasive diagnostic alternative. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Braunstein underscores the importance of early and accurate diagnosis in Alzheimer's disease management, emphasizing its potential for treatment intervention and its profound impact on patients and their families. He also addresses the challenges inherent in navigating the healthcare industry and stresses the significance of stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, Dr. Braunstein reflects on the complexities of communicating scientific advancements to diverse audiences, including patients, clinicians, and policymakers, highlighting the delicate balance between ethical responsibility and the imperative of raising disease awareness effectively. Takeaways: Leaders should commit to relentless pursuit in their fields, especially when facing long-term challenges. For instance, Braunstein's dedication to Alzheimer's research underscores the importance of steadfast commitment to making a difference.Be transparent and evidence-driven in your communication, especially when introducing new technologies or innovations. Leveraging reliable data to support claims builds trust among stakeholders, from patients to practitioners.Develop a company culture rooted in a strong moral fiber. This moral basis helps navigate the complexities of balancing legal, marketing, and ethical considerations while ensuring the company's dealings enhance patient care and trust in the industry.Use professional networks like LinkedIn to share progress and highlights with a broader audience. This can enhance visibility among stakeholders and keep them informed about important milestones and innovations.Understanding and addressing the needs of patients and their families as primary stakeholders can significantly improve the effectiveness and reception of healthcare solutions. This places importance on simplifying the patient journey and making medical interventions more accessible and less invasive.Leaders should recognize the importance of stress relief and personal well-being in maintaining a productive and happy team. Enabling team members to pursue passions outside of work can foster a balanced and innovative workplace environment. Quote of the Show: "It all starts with a high moral integrity, and this moral fiber permeates throughout all elements of the organization." - Joel Braunstein Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-braunstein-md-9456611 C₂N Diagnostics (Website): https://c2n.com  Shout Outs: The Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/general-internal-medicine/training-education/fellowship/rwj Brigham and Women's Hospital: https://eye.hms.harvard.edu/brighamandwomens Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: https://carey.jhu.edu Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu Washington University School of Medicine: https://medicine.wustl.edu Randall J. Bateman, MD: https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/randall-j-bateman-md David M. Holtzman, MD: https://holtzmanlab.wustl.edu/people/david-m-holtzman-md Ilana Fogelman, MD, MPH, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilana-fogelman-5142014

    42 min
  3. Steve Schwab on Fueling a Movement With Authentic Leadership (Re-Air)

    MAR 18

    Steve Schwab on Fueling a Movement With Authentic Leadership (Re-Air)

    We’re revisiting a powerful past conversation with Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, whose insights on leadership, storytelling, and movement-building remain just as relevant today. In this episode, Steve reflects on how Senator Elizabeth Dole transformed a critical but largely invisible issue, the millions of family members caring for wounded veterans, into a national movement. He explains the difference between a mission and a movement, sharing how meaningful change requires both the science of research and the poetry of authentic storytelling. Steve also discusses the growth of the Hidden Heroes Campaign and how building coalitions across sectors, including policymakers, caregivers, corporate partners, and influential voices like Tom Hanks and Savannah Guthrie, has helped expand support for military and veteran families nationwide. Along the way, he shares lessons on authentic leadership, the power of persistence in driving policy change, and why the most effective movements are fueled by purpose, community, and a mission greater than oneself. Takeaways: Clear mission or purpose: Having a mission larger than yourself drives personal motivation and organizational success, fueling health, vitality, and passion for your work.Authentic partnerships: Successful coalitions are built on genuine, passionate connections with partners who are sincerely committed to the cause, leading to long-term collaboration and impact.Balance evidence with storytelling: Combining factual evidence (science) with emotional storytelling (poetry) makes your message more credible, relatable, and impactful, especially in advocacy campaigns.Authenticity in endorsements: When selecting influential figures to endorse your cause, ensure they have a true connection to it for more meaningful, long-term advocacy support.Persistence pays off: Achieving long-term goals requires persistence. The passing of the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act highlights the importance of pushing forward despite setbacks and obstacles.Self-reflection and planning: Regular self-reflection and planning, through practices like quiet time, weekly sessions, or yoga, help maintain clarity, purpose, and proactive focus.Leveraging LinkedIn: Using platforms like LinkedIn to share achievements, highlight partnerships, and promote your mission strengthens relationships, increases transparency, and broadens your reach. Quote of the Show: "It’s incredibly important to recognize the divisive times we are in, and that people are hungry for things that unite us and bring us together." Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-schwab7676/ Website: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/  Shoutouts:  Senator Elizabeth Dole Senator Bob Dole  Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement ActHidden Heroes Campaign: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/campaigns-programs/hidden-heroes

    1h 1m
  4. Navigating Influence in a Data-Driven World with NORC's Dan Gaylin

    MAR 11

    Navigating Influence in a Data-Driven World with NORC's Dan Gaylin

    In today’s information ecosystem, influence is no longer about having the loudest voice — it’s about having the most trustworthy one. In this powerful conversation, Anthony Shop sits down with Dan Gaylin, President and CEO of NORC at the University of Chicago and author of Fact Forward: The Perils of Bad Information and the Promise of a Data-Savvy Society. Dan has built his career helping leaders navigate high-stakes decisions with rigorous, trustworthy research. Under his leadership, NORC has tripled in size, expanded globally, and strengthened its reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan research institution. But this episode goes far beyond organizational growth. It explores a defining leadership challenge of our era: how to build influence and trust when information is abundant, truth feels fragmented, and every individual now acts as producer, distributor, and consumer of data. Takeaways: Ask better questions first. Influence begins with defining the right problem — not jumping to conclusions.Practice “fit for purpose” thinking. Make sure the data you use actually answers the question you’re trying to solve.Build data literacy as a leadership skill. In a democratized data world, leaders must know how to separate signal from noise.Lead with transparency. Trust grows when you clearly explain how conclusions were reached — and where limits exist.Don’t push data beyond its limits. Conviction is not a substitute for evidence; credibility depends on restraint.Use AI wisely: distrust and verify. Treat AI as a powerful tool — but interrogate its answers before acting on them.Grow through quality, not ego. Sustainable influence comes from impact, integrity, and consistency — not arbitrary growth targets. Quote of the Show: “Sustainable influence requires credibility. And credibility comes from demonstrating consistency and integrity and being good at what you do and being well aligned with your core values.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gaylin-387a5610/ Website: https://www.norc.org/ Book: https://a.co/d/08BwhXMY

    1h 1m
  5. Check Your Title at the Door: Rethinking Influence in Philanthropy | Tiffany Benjamin (Re-Air)

    MAR 4

    Check Your Title at the Door: Rethinking Influence in Philanthropy | Tiffany Benjamin (Re-Air)

    Today, we’re re-airing our conversation with Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, to coincide with the Face the Fight convening in Louisville, hosted at Humana’s corporate headquarters, where leaders from across sectors are coming together around veteran mental health and suicide prevention. Tiffany shares her unexpected journey from Harvard Law School to leading a major philanthropic foundation — a path shaped by lived experience, deep listening, and a passion for community. We explore how early moments, like volunteering with seniors as a youth, continue to influence her approach to leadership and social impact. Tiffany reflects on what it means to leave your title at the door, the surprising power of sitting in the back of the room, and how true influence is rooted in curiosity and co-creation. From building intergenerational programs to reshaping how we serve communities, Tiffany’s insights are both personal and profoundly actionable. Whether you're a leader, changemaker, or simply curious about what it means to make a difference, this episode is for you. Takeaways: Shaping Health Equity: Tiffany is pioneering health equity by mobilizing funding, partnerships, and research aimed at tackling the root causes of poor health. This includes a holistic approach to nutrition, emotional well-being, disaster recovery, and resource deployment.Value of Curiosity: Tiffany’s journey highlights the importance of curiosity. Her career path shifted dramatically because she was curious about the foundation work at Eli Lilly. Curiosity can open new career opportunities and lead to fulfilling roles that align with your passion and values.Community Listening: The Humana Foundation emphasizes community listening. By creating a Senior Council of high school seniors and senior citizens, the foundation ensures their work is community-centered and relevant to the people they serve. Consider forming advisory groups with diverse perspectives to guide your projects.Empathy as Influence: Empathy is a powerful form of influence. Tiffany suggests that listening to people’s challenges and really understanding their needs can drive meaningful change. Practice active listening and strive to connect with others on a deeper level to be a more effective leader.Accessibility in Processes: The open application process at the Humana Foundation is designed for transparency and respect for non-profits' time. It includes a short-form application and clear communication about acceptance or rejection. Make your processes transparent and provide clear feedback to foster trust and efficiency.Leave the Title at the Door:*Tiffany emphasizes the importance of humility and accessibility. By choosing to sit in the back of the room rather than the reserved front seat, she connects with people on a more personal level. Engage with people where they are, leave your title at the door, and be approachable.Use Digital Presence Authentically: Tiffany is hands-on with her LinkedIn presence to share her work and insights regularly. She combines personal elements (like her love for hats) with professional updates to maintain authenticity. Use social media platforms to share your story and mission, and be transparent and consistent in your communication. Quote of the Show: “I think you have to find spaces where you can leave your title at the door and be accessible to others. Personally, I have an aversion to sitting in the front row—I’d rather be alongside the people who are most impacted and who are driving real change. I believe you should always seek out those who know more than you, especially when it comes to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-benjamin-0127893/ Website: https://www.humana.com/

    45 min
  6. Rethinking Influence in Washington with Brody Mullins

    FEB 25

    Rethinking Influence in Washington with Brody Mullins

    Anthony Shop sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist Brody Mullins to explore how corporate America transformed Washington — and how influence itself is being redefined yet again. Drawing from his book The Wolves of K Street, Brody explains how corporations had surprisingly little sway in Washington prior to the 1970s. Economic turmoil during the Carter era triggered a turning point, prompting companies to build sophisticated lobbying operations, invest heavily in campaign contributions, and shift from relationship-based “inside influence” to broad, public-facing “outside influence” campaigns designed to shape constituent opinion. But the rules are changing again. Brody argues that under President Donald Trump, power has reconcentrated in the White House, creating what he calls an “audience of one” environment. Traditional committee-by-committee lobbying has given way to direct executive access, while media fragmentation and the collapse of traditional gatekeepers have transformed how influence campaigns operate. From Google’s successful grassroots mobilization to TikTok’s failed imitation, Brody unpacks why some influence efforts break through, and others backfire,  and why authenticity, especially from real constituents, still matters most in a noisy, AI-driven world. Takeaways: Start with where power actually sits. Influence strategies must adapt to the current power structure — whether that’s 535 lawmakers or one decision-maker. Before launching any campaign, leaders should map the true centers of authority and align their tactics to the individuals who actually control outcomes.Access is not the same as persuasion. Writing a check may get you in the room, but it doesn’t guarantee policy outcomes. Influence ultimately depends on the strength of your argument and how well it aligns with the decision-maker’s incentives and priorities.Don’t ignore Congress long-term. Executive power may be concentrated now, but political cycles shift — and institutional relationships still matter. Savvy leaders build durable bipartisan relationships that will outlast any single administration.Narrowcast strategically. Reaching the right 535 people can be more impactful than reaching 5 million. Precision targeting often delivers a higher return on investment than broad awareness campaigns that lack a clear policy objective.Mobilize authentic voices. Real constituents with real stories carry more weight than automated campaigns or paid advocates. Lawmakers are far more responsive to credible, human experiences from voters in their districts than to mass-produced messages.Understand media incentives. In today’s fragmented environment, outlets often reward amplification over accuracy — tailor your strategy accordingly. Effective communicators recognize how business models shape editorial priorities and craft messages that break through without compromising credibility.Own your distribution channels. As traditional media declines, building your own content platforms can ensure your message reaches key audiences. Leaders who invest in direct communication channels reduce their reliance on gatekeepers and maintain greater control over narrative and reach.Quote of the Show:"Maybe part of lobbying and influence, though, is just being able to have the conversation... Access gets you the conversation... You need that access to have the argument. And sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose." Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-mullins/ Website: https://www.brodymullins.co/ Podcast: https://www.thewolvesofkstreet.com/podcast

    46 min
  7. Influence Through Action: How Wade Foster Built Zapier and a Movement

    FEB 18

    Influence Through Action: How Wade Foster Built Zapier and a Movement

    Wade Foster, Co-Founder and CEO of Zapier, explores what real, lasting influence looks like in a world driven by algorithms, automation, and AI. From his early days growing up in Jefferson City, Missouri, to building one of the most influential workflow automation platforms in the world, Wade reflects on how influence is created not through visibility alone, but through action that meaningfully changes how people work and live. At the heart of Zapier’s success is a simple but powerful idea: helping people connect systems, eliminate friction, and unlock potential that already exists. Throughout the conversation, Wade shares candid lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, and trust—from why “default to action” matters more than over-planning, to how leaders can responsibly use AI without eroding authenticity. He explains how Zapier learns from its customers, builds influence internally before externally, and uses transparency to scale a remote-first culture. Ultimately, Wade redefines influence as something far more enduring than attention: the ability to shape behavior, empower others, and build systems that help people show up differently long after the moment has passed. Takeaways: Redefine Influence as Behavior Change: Real influence isn’t about likes or visibility—it’s about changing how people act, work, or think long after the interaction is over.Default to Action, Not Perfection: Learning happens fastest through doing. Act, observe the results, and iterate—momentum beats waiting until everything feels “ready.”Build Influence From the Inside Out: You can’t create advocates externally without first empowering and aligning your internal team. Culture is your first audience.Use Technology to Create Connection, Not Distance: Automation and AI should free people to focus on higher-value work and relationships—not replace human judgment or responsibility.Delegate the Work, Not the Responsibility: AI can execute tasks, but leaders must remain accountable for the outcomes. Trust is built when humans stay in the loop.Create Space for Learning to Overcome Apathy: Workshops, shared problem-solving, and community learning moments help people break out of the status quo and adopt new tools.Tell Stories, Not Just Strategies: Data informs, but stories inspire. Leaders who can translate complex ideas into relatable narratives are far more likely to mobilize others. Quote of the Show: “Default to action. You learn more by doing than by planning.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadefoster/ Website: https://zapier.com/

    47 min
  8. Healthcare Leaders on the ROI of LinkedIn (Re-Air)

    FEB 11

    Healthcare Leaders on the ROI of LinkedIn (Re-Air)

    As LinkedIn continues to solidify its role as the front line for executive visibility, institutional trust, and digital leadership, we’re re-airing one of the most timely conversations in the Chief Influencer archive. Recorded at the National Health Council’s Health Leadership Conference last year, this discussion has only grown more relevant as leaders across sectors rethink how influence is built and measured online. The National Health Council (NHC) Leadership Conference brings together leaders from top patient organizations and nonprofits to foster connections, discuss leadership topics, and share best practices in nonprofit management. At the event, host Anthony Shop moderated a powerful panel of CEOs who discussed their roles as Chief Influencers on LinkedIn. The panel features Chuck Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association; Katie Schubert, President and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research; and Steve Taylor, President & CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. They shared insights into their success on LinkedIn, focusing on how they have built trust, maximized engagement, and fostered personal connections through the platform. The CEOs offer practical tips on content strategy, posting frequency, and how to engage with comments and tags. They highlight the impact of their social media presence in achieving meaningful outcomes such as talent recruitment and securing major funding. The discussion highlights the importance of utilizing LinkedIn to reach a broader audience and the value of commenting, liking, and reposting relevant content to amplify organizational messages effectively. Takeaways: CEOs see ROI from LinkedIn: Make it a habit to regularly connect with peers, industry leaders, and your audience. For instance, the speaker encourages everyone to connect with him on LinkedIn as a first step toward meaningful engagement.Faces Are the New Logos: Personal presence is key to building trust. Share your personal experiences and stories to create a deeper connection with your audience. Remember, trust is built through people, not just organizational logos.Share the Stage: Celebrate and promote others. Instead of focusing solely on your own achievements, highlight the successes and contributions of colleagues and partners. This not only amplifies your message but also uplifts others.Build Internal Champions: Cultivate a strong internal network within your organization. True external support begins with advocacy and engagement from within your own team.Embrace the Gray: Blend your professional and personal brand by showing up authentically. While different contexts may call for varying levels of personal sharing, authenticity should always be at the core.Engage with Content: Actively like, comment, and share relevant posts. This increases visibility and sparks conversations, making networking just as important as posting your own content.Schedule and Be Consistent: Use scheduling tools to ensure regular content posting at optimal times. Reposting or sharing valuable content with your own insights can further boost engagement. Repurposing content from other platforms, like Instagram, can also be effective on LinkedIn. Links: Chuck HendersonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesdhenderson/ Website: https://diabetes.org/ Kathryn Godburn Schubert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-godburn-schubert-07352a7/ Website: https://swhr.org/ Steven TaylorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-taylor-a18b9b2/ Website: https://www.arthritis.org/  Shout Outs: Eric Racine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericracine/ Jean Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanwrightmdmba/ Randall Rutta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-rutta-1622952/ National Health Council: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-health-council/

    49 min
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About

Washington is the Center of Influence - in the U.S. and arguably the world. Chief Influencer® spotlights leaders who have figured out how to break through in today’s fragmented and noisy world. Social Driver teamed up with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies and The Communications Board to recognize these leaders as Chief Influencers and highlight how they inspire and influence others.

Information

  • Creator
    Social Driver
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Social Driver
  • Show Website
    Chief Influencer®

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