Ready: Leaders to Know, with Bill Graves
Honest conversations with the emerging and established leaders shaping our community — how they got here, what they've learned, and what's next.
Josh Keller on Building Labor Power and Shifting Money Back to Workers
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Josh Keller, Communications Director at SEIU Minnesota State Council.
Josh grew up in a working-class home in Brooklyn Park, where mutual aid was just what you do. Today, he carries those values into his leadership at the SEIU State Council, where his career has been defined by a single mission: shifting power back to the people.
From his early days in AmeriCorps to his leadership in the labor movement, Josh has remained focused on addressing structural racial and economic disparities by building collective power. In today’s high-stakes political climate, his work reminds us that unions aren’t just about contracts, they are the engine for solidarity and lasting change.
Raihl O’Malley: Shared Leadership, Youth Power & Creating Space for Change
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Raihl O'Malley, Co-Founder, Director and Principal Consultant to Learning to Transform. Raihl grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, in a family where activism was part of everyday life, his mother protesting nuclear power, his father elected to public office as a teenager. But one of the most formative spaces in his life wasn’t a campaign or a classroom, it was a youth center run entirely by young people. There, Raihl learned what shared leadership looks like, chairing meetings, organizing events, and discovering that those most impacted by decisions should help lead them. That belief has guided his work ever since, from global studies and time living in Nicaragua, to training leaders and communities today. At the core of his work is a simple but radical idea: leadership isn’t about control, it’s about creating space for people to act together.
Audua Pugh: Recovery, Resilience & Turning Personal Struggle into Community Leadership
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Audua Pugh, a recovered drug user, community organizer, business owner, published author, educator, inspirational speaker and motivator, who is not shy about sharing her story of a 15 year struggle with drug and alcohol use. She is an only child raised by a strong single mother who taught her accountability, self-advocacy, and the power of using your voice for others. Audua’s journey includes extraordinary resilience—surviving cardiac arrest after a rare heart condition, navigating chronic illness, and overcoming breast cancer. When her path changed, so did her purpose. Today, she’s a nonprofit founder, former executive director, caregiver to her mother, and a national ambassador for breast cancer awareness, building healing, justice, and community wherever she goes.
Tawny Savage: Indigenous Leadership, Community Safety & Advocacy for Justice
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Tawny Savage, Business owner, Violence Prevention Coordinator for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) and MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Tawny was raised on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation in northern Nevada, a rural and isolated community that shaped her deep sense of responsibility and care for others. One of the most powerful influences in her life was her grandmother, a community health nurse fluent in Shoshone, who modeled what it means to listen, serve, and stay rooted in community. At fifteen, Tawny left home for the first time to attend a youth leadership camp in the Wisconsin woods, she encountered mentors who recognized her potential and helped her see her own strength.That was a turning point in her life, one that continues to inform her work today: advocating for safety, dignity, and justice for Indigenous communities, and ensuring the next generation knows their voices matter.
C. Scott Cooper: Philanthropy, Public Service & Choosing the Right Fight
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.
Kowsar Mohamad: Immigrant Leadership, Youth Advocacy & Building Community Power
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
Ian Pfaff: Storytelling, Friendship & the Power of Personal Narratives
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.
HaoPay Lee: Finding Your Voice, Healing & Redefining Leadership
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.
Asia Yun-Robinson: Resilience, Healing & Turning Lived Experience into Leadership
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
Steve Grove: The Future of Local Journalism, Civic Trust & Community 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.
Nick Zerwas: Resilience, Bipartisanship & Leading with Authenticity
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.
Erika Helvik Anderson: Healthcare Access, Advocacy & the Power of Connection
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.
Jake Loesch: Political Transformation, Bipartisan Trust & the Courage to Grow
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.
LeAnn Littlewolf: Indigenous Leadership, Housing Justice & Community Care
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.
Ben Baglio: Healthcare Advocacy, Family & Leading with Heart
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Ben Baglio, a lobbyist for the Minnesota Nurses Association whose leadership journey began during the 2012 “Vote No” campaign against the marriage amendment. He helped register college students to vote on campus. Since then, Ben has become a fierce healthcare advocate, a father of twin girls, and a leader who shows up with empathy and grit. In this episode, we talk with Ben about his upbringing, family, education, and the challenges that shaped his vision of what it really means to lead with heart.
Leah Solo: Crisis Leadership, Democracy & Compassion in Public Service
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Leah Solo, Executive Director of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. Raised in Mankato, Leah’s journey is one of resilience and learning. Her leadership journey spans from political campaigns in Indonesia to striving for better care for Minnesota’s elderly. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of leading through a crisis, staying engaged in democracy, and the importance of compassion in leadership.
Catherine Emmanuelle: Restorative Leadership, Public Service & Finding Joy After Burnout
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Catherine Emmanuelle, Director of the Center for Restorative Practices at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Catherine is a former elected official, and a lifelong advocate for public service. From rallying for bedtime rule changes at age five to leading major civic initiatives, her leadership journey has been shaped by strong family values, creativity, service, and resilience. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on what it means to lead with care, navigating the gray areas of policy, and finding joy on the other side of burnout.
Damon Shoholm: Authentic Leadership, Belonging & Advancing Equity
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Damon Shoholm, Partner at Ballinger, Leafblad. Damon, a leader shaped by a deep sense of community, equity, and resilience. Raised in a multiracial, matriarchal household in Saint Paul. Damon’s early life experiences and strong female influences helped form his inclusive approach to leadership. His journey, from frequent moves as a child to building a stable, rooted family life reflects a lifelong commitment to fighting for belonging and advancing equity. With a background in leadership studies and a heart for community, Damon brings a powerful perspective to what it means to lead with authenticity in today’s complex world.
Marcus Pope: Youth Leadership, Equity & Leading Through Polarization
Today on Ready: Leaders to Know, I sit down with Marcus Pope, President of Youthprise—a leader whose journey is rooted in community, compassion, and a deep commitment to equity. Raised in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, Marcus grew up witnessing the impacts of poverty and systemic injustice firsthand. From early jobs as a camp counselor to about to earn a PhD while leading a nonprofit, Marcus has dedicated his life to empowering young people and dismantling inequities. In this episode, we talk about navigating intergenerational leadership, managing through polarization, and the importance of keeping your heart in the right place.
Erin Murphy: Healthcare Advocacy, Public Service & Leading the Minnesota Senate
For today’s podcast, Bill is joined live at Metro State’s Great Hall by Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy. A past Executive Director of the Minnesota Nurses Association, Erin was selected as the Senate Majority Leader in February of 2024, after the health-related resignation of Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic. They discuss Erin’s time growing up in Wisconsin, what she learned as a surgical nurse, and how navigating the health care system on behalf of her ailing mother helped her find her ‘why’ to enter political life.