The Chief Exchange

Chief Digna Abello made history as the first female Fire Chief of Miami Beach Fire, but her journey was anything but paved. From stepping into a traditionally male dominated profession to becoming a trailblazer in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the country, her leadership has been shaped by resilience, humility, and a deep commitment to her people. Leading in a true melting pot like Miami Beach requires constant adaptability, awareness, and an open mindset to serve a global community.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Abello opens up about the realities of leadership that most people never see. We discuss what it means to be the number one advocate for your firefighters, why safety is an investment and not an expense, and how departments must evolve while still honoring tradition. She shares how Miami Beach attracts firefighters because of its diversity and culture, what it is like leading through financial uncertainty and potential tax cuts in Florida, and the importance of understanding the human dynamic behind every decision you make. From lessons she wishes she knew earlier in her career to the importance of staying grounded in your why as you rise through the ranks, this conversation is about leadership, perspective, and taking care of the people who take care of everyone else.

Kory Pearn never set out to start a media company. A fire captain with over two decades in the fire service, his journey into building Crackyl Magazine came after a life altering moment that forced him to confront everything he had built. After nearly losing his life to congestive heart failure, Kory found himself questioning his identity, his pace of life, and the sustainability of how he was living. In an instant, everything he had could have been taken away, including the very things he was working so hard to protect.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Kory shares how that experience reframed everything. We talk about firefighter wellness, why you do not just get lucky in life, and how you must prepare and control what you can before it is too late. He explains the danger of building a life you cannot slow down, why what you are not changing you are choosing, and how dedication without sustainability becomes self destruction disguised as commitment. We also dive into actionable steps for building something on the side while still working in public safety, the importance of curiosity and tenacity, and why you just have to start instead of waiting for the perfect moment. From stoicism and maintaining your why, to managing the balance between work and home life, to even a soft launch of his upcoming book, this conversation is about perspective, discipline, and building a life that can withstand anything, because what you try to avoid may still happen anyway.

Chief Steven Locke has spent nearly four decades in the fire service, rising from a teenager hanging around the firehouse with his father to leading three different departments and serving in national leadership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Along the way, he learned that leadership is less about making every decision and more about empowering others to make them.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Locke shares what most leaders get wrong about leadership and why every chief must evolve from being a micromanager to empowering their team. We discuss the lessons learned from leading three very different departments, what it feels like to supervise former peers after a promotion, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. Chief Locke also reflects on the power of handwritten notes, thanking the people who helped you along the way, separating work stress from your personal life so you can sleep at night, and recognizing when it is time to step aside and let the next generation lead. From saving today for the you tomorrow to learning how to ease up on the gas pedal and enjoy the journey, this conversation is a powerful reflection on leadership, legacy, and finishing a career by lifting others up.

Mayor John Carli’s career began with a simple sentence from someone he had just met: “You’d be a really good cop.” That one comment planted a seed that would grow into a 32 year career in policing, rising from officer to Chief of Police and eventually becoming Mayor of the very city he once protected. His story is a powerful reminder that seeds planted today can grow into trees 30 years later.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Mayor Carli shares the lesson that shaped his life: it is better to be prepared for the opportunity that never happens than to be unprepared for the one right in front of you. We talk about the importance of education and being a lifelong learner, why Chiefs must remain apolitical, and how any day as Chief could be your last. He reflects on leading through national unrest, standing firm on principle in a meeting with the President of the United States, and why words must always be backed by action. From relationship building and knowing your why to living in a three dimensional world reduced to two dimensions through media and social media, this conversation challenges leaders to take a stand, stay humble, think less about themselves, and focus more on climbing mountains instead of ladders.

Commissioner Sean Duryee did not begin his career aiming to lead the largest state policing agency in the nation. A former Army infantryman and small business owner, he joined the California Highway Patrol seeking camaraderie, service, and purpose. Nearly three decades later, after doing the job in front of him with excellence and embracing assignments he never planned on taking, he was unexpectedly appointed Commissioner.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Commissioner Duryee reflects on how CHP has evolved over the past 30 years, from simple radio systems to advanced in car technology and modern policing tools. He shares why intelligence matters far less than work ethic, why doing a good job where you are opens doors you never saw coming, and why some of the most career shaping assignments are the ones you are not excited about at first. We discuss CHP recruits, why college athletes and military veterans are strong talent pools, and the biggest lesson he learned from coaching high school varsity basketball. From building confidence in leaders who hesitate to take the shot to savoring every season of your career, this conversation is about humility, discipline, growth, and enjoying the journey while you are in it.

Cornelia Sigworth spent 26 years inside the U.S. Department of Justice, rising to Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Director, overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in public safety funding across the country. Today, as Senior Director of Strategic Engagement at Axon, she continues shaping the field through leadership development, peer learning, and strategic violent crime reduction.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Cornelia breaks down how departments can dramatically increase their win rates for federal grant funding, why most grants get denied, and how data and scoring criteria truly drive decisions behind the scenes. She explains how applications are evaluated, what peer reviewers are actually looking for, and why simply not reading the instructions disqualifies many agencies. We also discuss the real challenges first line supervisors face that chiefs may not realize, how miscommunication about “the why” erodes culture, and how to fix those breakdowns. From peer to peer learning exchanges to building measurable violent crime reduction strategies, Cornelia shares why many department initiatives fail and what it takes to execute with discipline, clarity, and accountability.

Chief John Drake’s journey into policing did not begin with admiration. It began with distrust. As a young man who once had a deeply negative encounter with law enforcement, he never imagined he would one day become an officer, let alone Chief. Nearly 38 years later, he leads the Metro Nashville Police Department through explosive population growth, staffing challenges, targeted violence, and some of the most difficult moments in the city’s history, including the 2020 Nashville Christmas Day bombing.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Drake shares how compassion reshaped his view of policing, how representation builds trust in diverse communities, and why one of the biggest missing pieces in public safety is deeper connection with kids’ parents, not just their children. He breaks down his three core pillars of policing, the realities of leading while short staffed in a rapidly growing city, and how to properly help people during the worst moments of their lives. From listening to the “little voice” in life or death situations to remembering that nothing, not even a small loss, is insignificant to someone, this conversation is about servant leadership, perspective, and the belief that even when clouds gather, the sun will shine tomorrow.

Chief Richard Edwards’ career has been defined by resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to his people. From navigating municipal bankruptcy in Stockton — where firefighters worked longer hours for up to 25% less pay — to operating through significant budget deficits and losing nearly a quarter of staffing overnight, his leadership was forged in crisis.

In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Edwards shares why culture matters more than money, why you don’t walk away when things get hard, and how passion and commitment to your team can carry an organization through its darkest seasons. He discusses the 180-day turnaround plan he implemented — focused on finances, dispatch, and communications — and why leadership ultimately comes down to relationships. He also reflects on deeply personal lessons: the importance of throwing your name in the hat even when you don’t feel ready, the cost of always taking the extra shift, and the realization that time with your family is something you can never get back. This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership is about stability, sacrifice, and cherishing what truly matters.

Chief Stacey Graves’ career is a masterclass in consistency, curiosity, and adding value wherever you’re planted. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, she reflects on her journey from starting as a records clerk to becoming the 48th Chief of Police and first permanent female Chief of the Kansas City Police Department — and what she learned along the way about leadership, trust, and longevity.

We explore the realities of recruiting police officers — especially women, why representation matters inside a department, and how leaders can create environments where people want to stay, grow, and enjoy the work. Chief Graves shares why leadership is an infinite game, how trust is built by consistently following through on your word, and why dealing with issues in the moment — then letting them go — is critical for sustainability. She also breaks down KCPD’s three-pronged crime strategy (data-driven deployment, community engagement, and focused deterrence), the value of being an internal chief, and how the department is preparing for major global events like the World Cup. This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership that compounds over time.

Chief Nick Schuler has spent more than 25 years rising through the ranks of CAL FIRE, taking on roles that stretched him, challenged him, and ultimately prepared him to lead during some of California’s most complex and high-profile emergencies — including the Palisades fires. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Schuler shares why growth often comes from assignments you don’t initially want, and how embracing those moments shapes both your career and your character.

We explore the realities of moving up through the ranks, why rank does not equal leadership, and how true leaders are judged by their actions — not their words. Chief Schuler breaks down the difference between misinformation and disinformation, the importance of controlling your narrative through social media, and what it takes to communicate clearly during crisis. He also shares his three core pillars of leadership — support, mentorship, and leading by example — along with practical insight on how to find the right mentors and why learning never stops in this profession.