Why We Matter – Details, episodes & analysis

"Lead with knowing who you are."  Our conversation today with City Year Columbus, OH Impact Manager, Ileesha White, starts with knowing who you are and staying authentic.  Join us as we learn about the value of building community with your team and understanding the community you serve.  Ileesha shares the power of being intentional about asking questions to help people grow and find their own answers.

Join us for a conversation with Rondale Smith and learn about his journey to City Year and how his service time as inspired and prepared him to continue serving others.

Join us for a conversation with Tramelle D, Jones - career coach speaker, facilitator, motivator, idea machine, and more. Tramelle joined City Year San Antonio for two service years, and later joined staff. Tramelle dives deep into her passion for working with young people, and the ways in which City Year helped shape her career.

Dr. Max Klau, City Year staff alum and renowned speaker, author, consultant, and coach joins us for a conversation on the intricacies of servant leadership. From his journey as a volunteer, his research at City Year, and his work now as an author, Dr. Klau dives into the idea of shadows and light in the development of servant leaders. You can learn more about Dr. Klau and his upcoming book: Developing Servant Leadership at Scale which will be available in August, 2025 by visiting his website: https://www.maxklau.com/books 

Johan Uvin, Executive Director of the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, joins us for a conversation on the importance of cultivating and growing our young people, their skills, and providing opportunities for success.

Join us for a Spotlight episode featuring Allison Cunningham, Senior Corps Leader with City Year Columbus. Allison shares with us her experience as a first year corps member to her time as a senior service leader. She also fills us in on her future youth services librarianship plans that City Year has inspired her to pursue.

Join us for a special edition episode of Why We Matter, featuring three members of the New York State Legislature for a conversation on the state of service in New York, the SOMOS conference, empowering the Latino community in New York, and more.

Join us on Why We Matter as we meet with Francesca Schuler, the CEO of the Nantucket Project. Francesca shares with our listeners her leadership journey, the importance of storytelling and elevating impact, and the critical role a service mindset plays in achieving success.

Giovanni Barcenes, Senior Director of External and Government Relations at City Year New York joins us today on Why We Matter for an episode full of joy, hope, and ideas for the future. Tune in to learn more about the student success coach landscape in New York City and state, the power of storytelling, the SOMOS conference, and the future of career pathways for City Year New York alums. 

John Albright, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Denver, joins us today on Why We Matter to discuss his aspirations of growing mental health support for students across Colorado in tandem with City Year's student success coaches. Tune in to learn more about John, his path to City Year, and his plans for the future.