"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.

Join us for a special edition Spotlight episode featuring City Year Greater Boston AmeriCorps alum, Raijene Walker. Raijene shares her journey to City Year, her experience serving in the Boston corps, and her joys along the way. 

Superintendent of El Dorado County, Dr. Ed Manansala, joins us today to discuss the conditions to create thriving school environments for all students. Join us today to learn more about Dr. Manansala's career and his passion for personalizing support for students, families, and communities.

Joel Rose joins us to talk the importance of meeting students and schools where they are in the education journey, and how now is the time to transform the learning experience for children and educators.

Today Dr. Rachel Teague, CYNH '06 and her mentee, City Year AmeriCorps student success coach Josh Corey CYNH '25 join us for a conversation on the power and purpose of strong mentorship.

Join us for an inspiring episode of Why We Matter featuring Laura Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens of the World Charter School. Laura is a City Year Boston '02 and City Year Los Angeles '07 alum, and was a founding staff member of City Year Los Angeles. Laura shares with our listeners her journey of service and sheds light on her learned experience creating supportive learning environments for all students.

Joe Patrnchak joins us today for an episode surrounding the exercise of servant leadership. Joe served as the Chief Human Resources officer at the Cleveland Clinic and transformed their approach to leadership and people management.  He serves as the head of Green Summit Partners and continues to be deeply engaged with the servant leadership model, and was recently inducted into the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership Hall of Fame. 

Join us for a special edition episode of Why We Matter featuring Marchela Lavey - Head of Programs & Partnerships at the Taco Bell Foundation. In this episode, Marchela shares with our listeners the journey that led her to Taco Bell Foundation’s philanthropic work and the exciting programs and opportunities the Foundation offers to communities across the country.

The Taco Bell Foundation has proudly supported City Year since 2013, evolving its commitment to become a National Corporate Partner in 2015 and a National Strategic Partner in 2023. Over the years, the Taco Bell Foundation has contributed nearly $6 million in support across 21 City Year sites—and the partnership continues to flourish.

Join us for a conversation with Duval County Schools Principal David Errico, who partners with City Year's Network for School Improvement. David touches on his experience as a social studies and civics teacher, his leadership journey, and his passion for comic books as a way to bring students and the community together.

Today we are joined by two visionary creative leaders, brothers Peter & Paul Reynolds, for a conversation about the immense power of harnessing the creativity of young people. Join us to learn more about their stories, and to dive into the creativity of change-making. Learn more: https://www.reynoldstlc.org/

Today's spotlight episode features AJ Williams, Senior Corps Team Leader with City Year New York.  Tune in to hear more about AJ's journey to City Year, his experience serving with City Year New York, insight into recent convenings he's attended with City Year, and his plans for a future in education.

Join us for a conversation about with City Year alum, Robert Barnett, the co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project and author of Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Students Can Succeed - out tomorrow, February 5th! Together, Robert and Jonathan dive into the model of the Modern Classrooms Project and Rob's journey with City Year and in public education. You can learn more about the Modern Classrooms Project here: https://www.modernclassrooms.org/

You can buy Robert's book (out tomorrow!) here: https://www.meeteverylearnersneeds.org/

Join us on Why We Matter for an inspiring conversation with Pablo Muñoz, Managing Director of Muñoz & Company Educational Consultants. Pablo joins us as an expert in education leadership, having served as a teacher or administrator for over 30 years, and a superintendent for 16 years. Listen to learn more about Pablo's inspiring story and his extensive leadership experience. To learn more about Pablo's work, you can purchase his book The Leader's Algorithm: https://www.themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm or tune in to his podcast, Latino Leaders: https://latinoleaders.buzzsprout.com/share

Today's spotlight episode features Sam Schraver, City Year Boston '23 and Care Force '24, currently serving as a Care Force Project Leader. Follow Sam's journey to City Year, his experience serving with Care Force, and his exciting plans for a future in education.

Join us in conversation with Patrick Kielty, City Year Little Rock alum and Professor of Business at The Ohio State University.  Learn how Patrick's City Year experience impacts his research, and how the value of his year of service still shapes his career.

Today we are joined by Principal and Co-Founder of Merchant McIntyre Associates, the leading federal government relations agency serving exclusively nonprofit institutions and organizations. Today's conversation discusses Mark's new book, "The Power of With." "The Power of With" is a #1 National Bestseller. The book is a concise and entertaining manual to help entrepreneurs and business executives sign new clients, serve clients, and lead people.

You may purchase The Power of With and the ebook version at www.markmcintyrebooks.com.

Today we meet Shajena Cartagena, Assistant Principal of Literacy at DC Public Schools. Shajena touches on her experience as a City Year corps member in Washington, DC, where she continued her career. Tune in to learn more about her experience finding purpose, passion, and joy.

This episode was recorded on December 17, 2024. Today we are joined by Sonali Nijhawan, Director of AmeriCorps State and National for an inspiring conversation covering her service and leadership journey. Sonali touches on her personal experience serving with City Year and her subsequent career in education and national service. Tune in for an energizing episode full of hope and inspiration.

Join us for a conversation with Kate Cochran, Managing Director of the National Partnership of Student Success Hub. Tune in to learn more about the important work of the NPSS, and the critical impact student success coaches add to schools and communities across the country. Together, we dive into the impact of this work on both local communities and young people in service positions.

To learn more about the NPSS, you can visit their website: https://www.partnershipstudentsuccess.org/

Join us for a conversation with City Year Columbus alum, Dr. Jena Pugh. Dr. Jena shares with our listeners her journey to City Year, the skills she developed through service, and how her unexpected "gap year" led to graduate school and a successful career in higher education. To learn about Dr. Jena's work as a graduate school strategist, please visit her website: https://www.drjenapugh.com/.

To learn how she helps AmeriCorps alums and current Corps Members go back to graduate school, follow this link: https://www.drjenapugh.com/americorps.

To register for her December 17 workshop on writing personal statements for graduate school, follow this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrf-mhrTgvGNTtinbw4qEbITOmq2VZkZ-2#/registration

Today we meet with Eric Chapman, Principal of O.W Erlewine Elementary School to discuss his decades of leadership in Sacramento public schools. Eric dives into the benefit of whole child education and development.

Join us for a conversation with Jenn Hoos Rothberg, Executive Director of Einhorn Collaborative. Together, we discuss Jenn's nearly two decades of leading the foundation and her personal and professional experiences that have deepened her understanding of the power of human connection, service, and their transformative legacy.

Today we are joined by Gage Barringer, a second year AmeriCorps member serving with City Year Greater Boston. Gage shares with us their journey to City Year, and some of his lessons learned, memorable moments, and inspiring reflections from his service experience. Tune in for a moving episode.

This week on Why We Matter, Kelly Corrigan, New York Times Bestselling Author and host of the Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast, joins us for a conversation on the need for bravery in our dearest relationships.

Today we meet with Tasha Booker, Senior Vice President of External Engagement at City Year. Tasha discusses her journey to City Year through education and service, and shares a few of her memorable stories from her time as Executive Director of City Year Columbus.

Join us for a conversation with Tiara Hale, a student success coach in Columbus, OH.   We will trace Tiara's journey to City Year and all she has learned and the skills gained through her year of service in her home town of Columbus, OH.

Today on Why We Matter we have the chance to meet René Sebastian Cisneros- the Team Leader for City Year at Mattapan’s Young Achievers Pilot School. 

In this week's episode, we feature New England Revolution coach, Coach Knighton. Coach Knighton shares his incredible journey from professional player to coach and how he remains committed to giving back to his community. Tune in to hear his inspiring story of dedication, leadership, and supporting the next generation. This episode is brought to you by Santander Bank.

Join us for a conversation with Major General John Barry, President & CEO of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. John joins us with extensive experience in public service. From serving in the United States Air Force for over 30 years as a combat veteran, fighter pilot, to becoming the Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, and more.

Meet Stefanie Vestal, a City Year Providence and DC AmeriCorps Alum and City Year Staff Alum! Stef shares with us her impressive career in service, from her time serving in Providence and Washington, DC, to her time working as staff for City Year DC, to her experience at the Clinton School of Public Service and her current tenure as Director of Strategy and External Affairs at the Little Rock School District. Tune in to hear her impressive story and to learn how she carries her City Year experience with her.

Tom Brady, former Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), recalls his extensive public service experience, from serving as the Director of DoDEA during the COVID-19 pandemic, to his experience working with City Year AmeriCorps members in DC, Providence, and Philadelphia and his personal and professional commitment to national service.

Today on Why We Matter we meet with City Year's Vice President of Communications, Joe Zappala, for a conversation on the art and power of storytelling, especially in the service and education fields.

Join us for a conversation with Tim Quinn, Founding CEO, Michigan Leadership Institute and Founding Managing Director, The Broad Academy for an important conversation about leadership, service, and meaningful relationships with students.

For this edition of our Spotlight series we welcome City Year Boston Alum, Kevin Dua. Kevin served with the Boston corps in 2009 and is now a highschool humanities teacher. Join us for a conversation about Kevin's service and the pathway it led to his career in teaching.

September is National Attendance Awareness Month. To commemorate, we invited Dr. Bob Balfanz for a conversation about chronic absenteeism and the critical value student success coaches add to classrooms across the country.

Join us for a conversation with Jade Butler as she shares her inspiring journey as a second year student success coach in Philadelphia

Our episode today features City Year's own Sean McDevitt, City Year AmeriCorps alum '02, and Senior Director, AmeriCorps Member Experience. Together, we dive into Sean's journey to service and City Year, and his committment to service as a pathway to meaningful impact and success.

Today we are joined by Elliot Washor, co-founder of Big Picture Learning. Join us for a conversation on the importance of listening to students and the power of strong adult-student relationships.

Join us in welcoming Dr. Tarra Mitchell, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Seattle/King County for a conversation on the tremendous impact of both military and service on her own life and the value national service has on our young people and students.

Today we are joined by Shavon Marion, Managing Director of Impact at City Year Memphis for a conversation about her journey to City Year and her experience working with students and student success coaches to cultivate positive learning communities.