As 2025 draws to a close, Community Catalysts host Matt Lehrman offers a heartfelt reflection on gratitude, leadership, and the promise of local democracy. In this special Thanksgiving message, he reminds us that the future of our nation depends not on distant politics, but on how neighbors come together to listen, deliberate, and lead in the places we call home.

Disagreement, Matt observes, isn't a failure — it's proof that democracy is alive. And when we meet one another with patience, humility, and respect, we keep that promise alive for generations to come.

Community Catalysts will pause publication through December and return in January with more stories, more dialogue, and more inspiration from the people who make local leadership work.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

Councilmember Brenda Kalivianakis of Fountain Hills, Arizona, entered local government as part of a conservative majority determined to "reclaim" their town. What she didn't expect was how quickly loyalty could turn into pressure — or how strongly she'd resist being told how to vote.

In this candid conversation, Brenda traces her evolution from partisan recruit to independent thinker, describing what happens when national-style politics collide with small-town governance. She talks about being urged to "toe the line," about donors demanding refunds, and about the moment she decided her oath of office meant more than political allegiance.

Her story reveals the personal cost of standing apart — and the quiet strength it takes to stay focused on serving all the people, even when partisans on both sides would rather you didn't.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

In public service, real success isn't measured in headlines or applause. It's in the city that still runs, the crisis that never came, and the community that quietly thrives because someone cared enough to do the hard work well.

Brooks Williams—City Manager of Ferris, Texas—has become a nationally followed voice on LinkedIn for the way he writes about local government with honesty, humility, and heart. His posts capture what it feels like to lead under pressure, to balance ideals with reality, and to keep faith with a profession too often taken for granted.

In this episode, Brooks talks about why he writes, what keeps him hopeful, and how he turns reflection into fuel for leadership. He shares lessons on servant leadership, civic responsibility, and finding joy in the quiet, steady work of keeping a community running.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

For nearly 24 years, Dave Albo represented Northern Virginia in the Virginia House of Delegates—including 12 years as chairman of the influential House Courts of Justice Committee, where every word of law was debated for its impact on real people. A lifelong Republican known for his diligence and attention to detail, Albo helped craft Virginia's largest-ever transportation funding package in 2013, a process that took eight years of persistence, negotiation, and listening across party lines.

In this conversation, he reflects on how patient, practical leadership can reconcile deeply held principles with urgent public needs—and why listening, precision, and perseverance remain the true tests of governing well.

This episode is made possible by the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI) at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, supporting collaboration and innovation among local leaders across Northern Virginia.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

Bill Danielson never imagined himself in politics. After more than 35 years in business, he was encouraged to run for Irmo Town Council—and in 2023, he stepped into the mayor's office. In Irmo—a town of 12,000 that collects neither sales tax nor property tax—the challenge of funding local government depends on business partnerships, careful budgeting, and steady leadership.

Bill calls himself a "hammer" personality—pushing hard to get things done. But in public office, he's discovered the equal importance of the feather: listening carefully, choosing words thoughtfully, and building respectful relationships even when tensions rise.

In this episode, Bill shares what he's learning on the job: how he raised $75,000 in weeks for his Mayor Uplift initiative to fight food insecurity, why calm leadership on the dais matters, and what it takes to stand firm when accusations fly. His story is candid, practical, and a reminder that effective community leadership means adapting, growing, and leading with principle.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

Milton Brown never planned on serving on a school board. His first career was in law enforcement, where he survived multiple life-threatening encounters—including one that ended his service with the Florida Highway Patrol. Returning home to Washington County, Florida, he became a pastor and eventually stepped into education leadership.

His election came down to the wire—flipping from an eight-vote loss to a seven-vote win after a recount. And ever since, Milton has carried the same message he offered when I first met him at the Florida School Boards Association: "Welcome, fearless leaders."

So what does it mean to lead fearlessly in a rural district where resources are tight, more than half the students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and state or federal policy shifts can change everything overnight?

In this conversation, Milton shares how his background fuels his respect for every person, why listening to bus drivers and cafeteria staff reveals practical solutions, and how creativity kept a school music program alive. His story is one of grit, faith, and finding ways forward—even when the odds are stacked against you.

LINKS

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

What does it take to transform a small-town community theater into a thriving cultural force? For Pamme Jones, Executive and Artistic Director of the Ridgefield Theater Barn, it started not with a budget or a building plan—but with a conversation about values. In this episode, Pamme shares the remarkable 15-year journey that began with a micromanaging board and a debate over light bulbs, and evolved into a bold, inclusive vision grounded in three core values: inclusion, respect, and joy.

You'll hear how Pamme helped lead a cultural and organizational transformation—navigating painful transitions, building community partnerships, and holding firm to a mission that invites people in and invites them to grow. Her story is a masterclass in value-driven leadership, and a reminder that even the most creative organizations need structure, courage, and trust to thrive.

From difficult departures to groundbreaking productions, this conversation shines a spotlight on what it means to lead with integrity and purpose—on stage and off.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

Dr. Peter Noonan has served in senior education leadership roles across Northern Virginia, including assistant superintendent in Fairfax County, superintendent of City of Fairfax Schools, and superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools. Now, as Executive Director of the Washington Area Schools Study Council, he's focused on two urgent challenges: building pipelines to prepare the next generation of superintendents and school board members, and helping communities re-engage with public education in the wake of COVID.

In this episode, Dr. Noonan reflects on the three eras of leadership—pre-COVID, during the pandemic, and the years since—sharing how expectations for trust and transparency have shifted, and what it takes for leaders to hold fast to their values while keeping their communities engaged. His insights are grounded in schools but resonate with anyone working to strengthen public institutions.

This episode is made possible by the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI) at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government.

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

When Dr. Karen Barber became superintendent in 2020, she faced a pandemic and a financial crisis all at once. In this episode, she shares how a clear mission—to love, educate, and prepare all students for graduation and a successful future—helped guide her district through uncertainty. From asking staff "What's your superpower?" to building trust one relationship at a time, Dr. Barber reflects on leadership grounded in care, collaboration, and clarity of purpose.

LINKS

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners

What does it take to bring a community together around an issue as painful and polarizing as the overdose crisis?

For Marissa Knapp, Director of Overdose Prevention for Broome County, New York, it means leading with empathy, persistence, and a deep commitment to meeting people where they are. In this episode, she shares how she builds trust across difference, navigates stigma, and keeps momentum in a field where loss and disagreement are constant.

You'll hear what it means to convene over 100 partners—from law enforcement to grieving families—and how even criticism can become a tool for public awareness. From Narcan on city buses to the quiet moments that sustain her, this is a powerful story of civic resolve, emotional honesty, and leadership that doesn't give up.

LINKS

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Marissa Knapp demonstrates How to Administer Narcan (link coming)

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Produced by Social Prosperity Partners