Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with C Scott Cooper, Experienced nonprofit and philanthropic leader, and a Professor at Metro State University. Scott grew up in Michigan in a family of educators, who taught him early that service to others is both a responsibility and a privilege. Reading with his mother, a children’s librarian, helped spark a lifelong moral compass rooted in stories about courage, justice, and responsibility. Those values carried him far beyond home. As a student abroad in Poland in 1989, he witnessed the fall of authoritarian regimes and even chipped a piece from the Berlin Wall, an experience that cemented his belief in people powered change. That belief eventually led him into public service, progressive organizing, and teaching others a central lesson he still wrestles with today: how to choose the right fight, at the right time.

Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Kowsar Mohamad, who was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. Kowsar grew up in South Minneapolis, rooted in a Somali immigrant family and a neighborhood that functioned like a village. From organizing a youth council to holding policymakers accountable, her leadership was shaped early by collective responsibility and advocacy. Now an environmental planner, educator, and PhD candidate, she brings people together across difference, leading with empathy, systems thinking, and a deep belief that we’re stronger together

On this special edition of Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Chicago-based film, television, and digital content director Ian Pfaff to talk about his first podcast series, Uncle Chris.

What makes this episode especially unique is that Ian and I have been close friends since childhood. That relationship is front and center as we explore what it means to tell deeply personal stories through podcasting—and how the stories we tell about ourselves, quite literally in this case, evolve as we do.

Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with HaoPay Lee, Legislative Liaison, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development

HaoPay leads with a strength shaped by resilience, culture, and lived experience. She was raised by a mother who survived domestic violence and raised four children largely on her own, guided by a grandfather who was a respected leader in the Hmong community and a steady, loving presence in her life. Growing up, she experienced the gendered expectations placed on Hmong girls, lessons in silence, service, and self-erasure. Instead of accepting those limits, she transformed them. Through advocacy, healing-centered leadership, and community-building, she has created spaces where people who are often overlooked are finally seen and heard. This episode is about voice, survival, and redefining what leadership can look like.

Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Asia Yun-Robinson, she is an author, Parent Advocate and Mental Wellbeing Advocate. Asia is the eldest of four, raised in Minneapolis by a single mother in a multigenerational household that taught her caregiving, perseverance, and community. Influenced by her Choctaw grandmother, Asia learned early the values of humility and respect for the earth. At sixteen, therapy after a traumatic experience became a turning point, shaping how she supports others. Her path shifted again after surviving an abusive relationship that caused a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy, ending her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon but opening the door to advocacy. Today’s episode is about resilience, healing, and turning lived experience into leadership

Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Steve Grove, CEO and Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, and the author of “How I Found Myself in the Midwest”. Steve has built a career at the intersection of public service, economic development, and civic leadership. From leading statewide crisis response as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development under Tim Walz to now guiding one of the nation’s most influential regional newspapers through a period of profound transformation. Grove’s work reflects a consistent belief in the power of local institutions. His leadership during the crisis is grounded in the idea that trust, accountability, and meaningful change are built through local government, local journalism, and community partnerships. Today, he is steering the 158-year-old Star Tribune toward a digital future while preserving its civic mission and navigating an era defined by disruption and misinformation. 

Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Nick Zerwas, a former Elk River city council member, state legislator, and most recently a lobbyist representing a wide range of interests at the Capitol. Nick was born with a serious heart condition and wasn't expected to live past infancy - but Nick defied the odds. From serving in the legislature to building bipartisan relationships with candy in hand, Nick's story is one of grit, connection, and the courage of being his authentic self. In this episode, we talk about his journey, family, and what it really means to lead with courage. 

Tune in each week for inspiring stories of leadership and change.

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Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Erika Helvik Anderson. Erika Leads public affairs at MNsure, where she’s dedicated to expanding access to healthcare for all Minnesotans. Raised by a mechanic and a stay-at-home mom, Erika learned early the value of hard work, problem-solving, and helping others. Her story is rooted in resilience, connection, and advocacy. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, advocacy, and the power of connection as we dive into her journey and how it influences her work ensuring healthcare access for those with pre-existing conditions. 

Tune in each week for inspiring stories of leadership and change. 

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Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Jake Loesch, Executive Director of Citizens League. Jake is a communicator, strategist, and bridge-builder shaped by curiosity, conviction, and a willingness to evolve. Raised in a politically conservative family in the Twin Cities suburbs, Jake began his career in Republican politics. But a pivotal moment came during the 2012 “Vote No” campaign, where his work in communications sparked a deep shift in both his values and his vision for leadership. 

 He is working to foster bipartisan trust, approaches leadership with humility, honesty, and a deep respect for nuance. Whether launching programs to bridge political divides or navigating the personal complexities of parenting, his story reminds us that meaningful change starts with connection and the courage to grow. 

Tune in each week for inspiring stories of leadership and change. Follow us on Instagram @readyleaderstoknow

Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with LeAnn Littlewolf, Executive Director of the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO). LeAnn leads with heart, courage, and a deep commitment to her Anishinaabe roots.Her father who instilled in her the importance of caring for others and a grandmother who taught her respect despite hardship, LeAnn’s leadership is all about empowering her community, fighting for housing, safety, and equity. She navigates the challenges of today’s political climate to ensure her people’s needs are met. Tune in to hear how LeAnn is shaping change with compassion, critical thinking, and courage. 

Tune in each week for inspiring stories of leadership and change. Follow us on Instagram @readyleaderstoknow