All Episodes

In this episode, Chanda is joined by Dr. Patricia Virella, an Assistant Professor of Urban Educational Leadership at Montclair State University, to explore the role of belief in education, leadership, and identity.Patricia shares her journey from being underestimated in school to becoming a principal and professor, and how those experiences shaped her approach to advocating for students and families. Together, they discuss what it means to navigate systems that don’t always see you—and how parents and leaders can respond with clarity and intention. The conversation expands into leadership, where Patricia reframes hope as a strategy—not a feeling—rooted in agency and action. They also reflect on burnout, navigating white spaces, and the importance of creating environments where people feel seen, safe, and supported.Find us:https://conversationswithchanda.com/IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchandahttps://patriciavirella.com/

In this conversation, Senior Vice President of Impact Alfonso Wenker of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation sits down with Marcus Owens, Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment for the City of Saint Paul.Marcus shares how financial empowerment is about more than money—it’s about dignity, access, and creating real pathways for people to move forward. From leadership to systems change, this conversation explores what it means to build wealth in a way that includes everyone.Find us:https://conversationswithchanda.com/IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchandahttps://spmcf.org/IG @spmfoundation

In this episode, Chanda Smith Baker sits down with Henry Jiménez, CEO of Propel Nonprofits and a longtime nonprofit leader in Minnesota, for a conversation about what it really takes to support organizations doing the work closest to community.Drawing from decades of leadership, Henry reflects on the growing demands nonprofits face, from reporting requirements to short-term funding cycles, and how those systems can unintentionally slow down impact.Together, Chanda and Henry explore what a more trust-based approach to philanthropy could look like, and how stronger partnerships between foundations and nonprofit leaders can create lasting change in our communities.https://propelnonprofits.org/Find us:https://conversationswithchanda.com/https://spmcf.org/IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda

In this episode of Conversations with Chanda, Senior Vice President of Impact Alfonso Wenker interviews Jamie Verbrugge, President & CEO of Catholic Charities Twin Cities, about nonprofit leadership, housing stability, and leading with dignity in complex times.Catholic Charities Twin Cities is one of the largest social service providers in Minnesota, serving people experiencing homelessness through permanent supportive housing, emergency shelter, family services, and aging and disability support. Jamie shares how his background in municipal leadership prepared him to guide a 150-year-old faith-based nonprofit rooted in Catholic social teaching and community impact.This conversation explores radical welcome, moral clarity in leadership, and how institutions can build trust by serving without condition. They discuss homelessness in the Twin Cities, housing access, stewardship leadership, trauma-informed care, and what it means to “do things with people” rather than for them.Learn more about Catholic Charities Twin Cities at www.cctwincities.org.Find us:https://conversationswithchanda.com/IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda

In this episode of Conversations with Chanda, Chanda Smith Baker speaks with Ashani O’Mard, President of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, about what it takes to align capital, leadership, and community around affordable housing.Recorded during a Minnesota–Atlanta housing learning exchange, this conversation explores cross-sector collaboration, capital strategy, and why housing is ultimately a shared responsibility.https://www.andpi.org/https://conversationswithchanda.com/IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda

Chanda is joined by philanthropy leader, board member, and author Nausheena Hussain for a thoughtful conversation about faith, money, leadership, and legacy.Nausheena reflects on her journey from corporate America to nonprofit leadership, the intentional decision to step away from an organization she built, and why healthy leadership transitions—especially for women of color—remain so rare. Together, they explore how faith shapes our relationship with money, generosity, and responsibility, and why philanthropy must expand beyond narrow definitions of wealth and power.To purchase book:Prosperity with Purpose: A Muslim Woman's Guide to Abundance and Generosity

In this episode of Conversations with Chanda, Chanda Smith Baker explores the human side of healthcare where care, leadership, and crisis intersect. The conversation begins with Bridget Rosario-Vega, a staff member at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, who shares her deeply personal experience navigating a serious hospital stay and the nurses and caregivers who showed up with compassion when she needed it most.Chanda is then joined by Lisa Shannon, CEO of Allina Health, for a candid discussion about the realities shaping healthcare today, from workforce strain and mental health gaps to innovation, AI, and the hard choices healthcare leaders are facing. Together, they hold two truths at once: a system under pressure and the people within it who continue to show up with humanity and care.This episode is a reminder that healthcare is not just a system. It is people caring for people, and leadership showing up in moments that matter most.

Hon. Harriette Chiggai, Advisor on Women’s Rights to the President of Kenya, joins Chanda Smith Baker for a powerful and deeply human conversation about courage, bias, and the fight for safety and dignity in leadership.From growing up in Nakuru to advising the highest office in her country, Harriette shares what she has learned about resilience, mentorship, and the cost and reward of breaking barriers. Together they explore the realities women face in power, the importance of creating safe homes and safe spaces, and why women must support one another if we want lasting change.This episode reminds us that no matter how heavy the journey gets, it is not over until it is over.https://conversationswithchanda.com/   IG @chandasbaker &  ⁨@conversationswithchanda⁩  TikTok @chndasmithbaker

In this episode, Chanda sits down with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for a conversation that goes beyond the ballot box. Together, they unpack the state of democracy in America and why choosing not to vote isn’t resistance, but resignation.From the real impact of government shutdowns to the erosion of public trust, Simon shares a behind-the-scenes look at how democracy actually functions and what happens when we disengage. He reminds us that voting isn’t charity; it’s power. It’s how communities get seen, resourced, and respected.This conversation is a wake-up call to anyone who has ever thought, “My vote doesn’t matter.” It’s also a roadmap for how to lead, connect, and rebuild across our differences.Learn more: mnvotes.gov  — official Minnesota voting informationFoundation: spmcf.org — Saint Paul and Minnesota FoundationMore episodes: conversationswithchanda.com

Steve Grove, a former Google executive and current Star Tribune leader, joins Chanda Smith Baker on 'Conversations with Chanda' to discuss his new book, 'How I Found Myself in the Midwest.' Listen as Steve dives into his personal journey of reinvention, the challenges and triumphs faced in his career transitions, and the unique community dynamics in Minnesota. Discover how local stories of hope and innovation can inspire broader societal change.

Guests Danielle Mkali and Lavasha Smith of Nexus Community Partners, and recipient Tari Sudduth, join Chanda Smith Baker to unpack the $50K Open Road Fund. Seeded by a $50M Bush Foundation grant, it’s redefining wealth, honoring Black futures, and repairing harm through direct investment in descendants of the transatlantic slave trade.https://nexuscp.org/2025 applications are now open! Apply by July 21, 2025, 11:59 pm CT.

In this episode, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan shares her inspiring leadership journey and discusses the influences of her upbringing by strong women. She highlights the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in public service, the power of community, and the role of hope and activism in sustaining democracy. Flanagan also explores the challenges of motherhood and balancing personal and professional life while emphasizing collective action and storytelling.Mentions:Representative Esther AgbajePaul WellstoneTrista HarrisRena Moran Senator Bobby Joe ChampionV3 SportsAscension ChurchGeneral MillsJim WallaceGovernor Walz

Join Chanda Smith Baker in a powerful conversation with Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton—a seasoned HR executive, author, and transformational leader. Raised in Minnesota, Tonya reflects on her family legacy, including her grandfather’s founding of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, and how it shaped her belief in the power of storytelling. She shares what it means to lead as a Black woman in corporate America, the importance of diverse mentorship, and key insights from her book The Myth of the Fearless Leader. This episode explores how acknowledging fear can strengthen leadership, build trust, and drive authentic growth.To purchase book:https://a.co/d/2BqlKM3https://www.drtonyajackmanhampton.com/IG @drtonyajackmanhampton_authorhttps://conversationswithchanda.com/ IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Chanda, former Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo joins Chanda Smith Baker for an unflinching and deeply personal conversation about leadership, justice, and the weight of public service. As the first Black police chief in Minneapolis, Chief Arradondo reflects on his decades-long career, the crisis of George Floyd’s murder, and the decisions that defined his legacy — including the extraordinary choice to testify against an officer in his own department.Together, they explore the personal cost of doing what’s right, the limits of reform from within, and the role of moral clarity in moments of national reckoning. Drawing on their long-standing partnership in community, Chanda and Chief Rondo go beyond headlines to examine what it means to lead with humanity when everything is on the line.To Pre-Order Book: Out on May 13th! Chief Rondo: Securing Justice for the Murder of George Floydhttps://conversationswithchanda.com/   IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda

In this episode of Conversations with Chanda, Girl Scouts River Valleys CEO Marisa C. Williams and four-time bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones shatter the myths of perfectionism and self-doubt. They dive into the transformative power of borrowed courage, revealing how women and girls can silence their inner critic and step boldly into their purpose. Girl Scouts River Valleys: https://www.girlscoutsrv.org/ Luvvie Ajayi Jones Books: https://luvvie.org/books/ https://conversationswithchanda.com/ IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

Sharon Bush, President of Grand Victoria Foundation, joins Chanda Smith Baker to challenge leadership norms. She reveals why sometimes the most radical act is choosing stillness over noise. Learn how an introverted leader transforms communities by listening deeply, building strategic power, and centering Black abundance—not just surviving, but thriving with purpose. https://grandvictoriafdn.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

Pierre Berastaín, Regional Director of CPI Center for Public Impact, is a Harvard-educated, gay Latino immigrant who turns personal barriers into blueprints for social transformation. In this raw, powerful conversation, he dismantles systemic barriers through personal resilience, revealing how marginalized communities can transform pain into profound social change. Discover radical strategies for healing, leadership, and reimagining government that will challenge everything you thought you knew about survival. Centre for Public Impact: https://centreforpublicimpact.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

Karla Henderson, the new CEO of Project for Pride in Living (PPL), joins Chanda Smith Baker to unpack her journey of unapologetic leadership. In a raw, powerful conversation, she reveals how to navigate complex challenges, stay true to community values, and transform unexpected opportunities into meaningful impact—all while redefining what it means to lead with resilience and purpose. Project for Pride in Living (PPL): https://www.ppl-inc.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, joins Chanda Smith Baker to expose philanthropy's hidden power dynamics. In a raw, unfiltered conversation, she reveals how Black women leaders strategically navigate and dismantle institutional racism, offering a masterclass in resilience, strategic resistance, and transformative leadership that challenges the very foundations of charitable giving. Inspired by the legendary Gladys Washington—who embodied unapologetic leadership, mentorship, and radical love—this episode is a blueprint for systemic transformation, told by a leader who has fought and won battles most never see. Learn: * How to turn institutional barriers into strategic opportunities * The art of influencing power structures from within * Authentic allyship beyond performative gestures * Why incremental change requires patience and persistent vision

Join Chanda Smith Baker and the Jeremiah Program's CEO Chastity Lord, Board Chair Meredith Moore, and alumna Lavasha Smith as they discuss JP's two-generation approach to disrupting poverty. This conversation explores how JP's holistic support empowers single mothers and their children, combining personal experiences with different perspectives. Jeremiah Program: https://jeremiahprogram.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker