Building Bridges: TRANSFORMATIVE STORIES OF LEADING ACROSS DIFFERENCES - ELECTED OFFICIALS
Spotlight on Community Leadership Alumni: Elected Officials
At the National Community Leadership Collaborative (NCLC), we believe that the power of leadership starts at the community level. Our series of alumni stories showcases the incredible journeys of leaders from across the country who have harnessed the tools and connections gained through community leadership programs to make a profound impact.
A critical focus of these programs is "Leading Across Differences," where participants develop the skills needed to navigate diverse perspectives, resolve conflicts, and build common ground—all essential for fostering trust, intellectual humility, and civic engagement. Through these experiences, leaders learn to create solutions that benefit their communities and build networks that stand the test of time.
Today, we’re excited to share the stories of five dynamic leaders—each of whom has served as an elected official: Mayor Aftab Pureval of Cincinnati, Martha Choe, a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow in Seattle, Mayor Craig Greenberg of Louisville, Councilmember Rudy Metayer of Pflugerville, Texas, and Mayor G.T. Bynum of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their experiences highlight the transformative effects of leading across differences and building meaningful networks, showing how community leadership programs empower individuals to embrace diversity, find common ground, and make a lasting impact on their communities.
Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati, oHIO
Program: C-Change, 2014 - Leadership Cincinnati, Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, Ohio
Aftab Pureval’s experience in the C-Change program taught him that leadership is a relationship-driven experience that thrives on embracing differences. Through C-Change, Aftab expanded his professional network in Cincinnati and learned to view diversity not as an obstacle, but as an asset that can lead to stronger outcomes.
“The program emphasized the importance of embracing the differences that define a truly diverse team, encouraging us to see these differences not as obstacles, but as valuable assets that fuel creativity and lead to stronger outcomes,” Aftab explains.
He recalls that the program encouraged open dialogue, creating a space where every voice could be heard. This approach helped him build trust and transform potential conflicts into opportunities for collaboration and success.
“By creating space for open dialogue and ensuring that every voice is heard, leaders can transform potential conflicts into opportunities for collaboration and success,” he shares.
Aftab’s experience in C-Change taught him conflict resolution skills and increased his confidence to disagree better while building consensus. For example, when the City of Cincinnati faced a complex situation with young roadside water vendors in Bond Hill, Aftab used the skills he learned in the program to apply a lens of equity.
“With a lens of equity, we were able to apply the tools from this program to build an opportunity-focused project that supports the entrepreneurial efforts of these students with the goal of creating sustainable success,” Aftab recalls.
The C-Change program came at a pivotal time in his life when he was considering moving to another city. However, the relationships he formed and the commitment he felt to the work in Cincinnati inspired him to stay.
“The community of supporters and collaborators I gained through this program made it clear to me that there was important work for me to do in Cincinnati and inspired my decision to stay,” he reflects.
Through this program, Aftab developed a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives and strengthened his desire to engage civically, ultimately shaping his approach to leadership as Mayor of Cincinnati.
Martha Choe, Former Seattle City Councilmember and Director of Community, Economic Development, and International Trade for Washington State
Program: Leadership Tomorrow, 1984, Seattle, Washington
Martha Choe’s experience with Leadership Tomorrow in 1984 played a critical role in shaping her career in government and community leadership. As a member of the first cohort, she quickly learned that embracing diverse perspectives was key to effective leadership.
“As the class of ’84, we were the beta test. An early mishap in the program (aka the Sun Mountain Retreat) had the unintended effect of creating a strong bond among everyone. It became a shared experience that served as a kind of glue for us,” she recalls.
Martha's lab project focused on revitalizing downtown Seattle, a concept that seemed radical at the time. Her team interviewed national experts and explored the nuances of creating a 24-hour city, uncovering the importance of a mix of housing, a strong retail core, and public safety.
“Our project resulted in a white paper and a vision rather than a specific blueprint for a 24-hour Seattle. Little did I know that this research would prove invaluable eight years later when I was elected to the Seattle City Council!” she shares.
Her experience in Leadership Tomorrow helped her develop conflict resolution skills and a greater openness to diverse perspectives. These skills were particularly important when downtown Seattle faced a crisis in the 1990s. As a city council member, Martha partnered with her Leadership Tomorrow colleague, Bob Watt, to navigate the complexities of revitalizing downtown.
“We were amazed that our LT project gave us a shared understanding of the key ingredients of a vibrant downtown, and that we both had key roles in putting what we learned into action,” she explains.
The strong foundation of trust and mutual respect built during the program allowed Martha and Bob to work together effectively, leading to significant outcomes for the city. Martha emphasizes that the relationships she built through Leadership Tomorrow have been invaluable throughout her career.
“I made many meaningful relationships in LT that first year: friendships that endure to this day and that have touched my life in many different ways,” she says.
Looking back, Martha believes that the skills and insights gained from Leadership Tomorrow—such as intellectual humility, openness to diverse perspectives, and conflict resolution—are crucial for creating durable, community-level solutions.
“LT participants grapple with real-world problems… These shared experiences forge lasting connections that extend far beyond the program’s duration,” she concludes.
Craig Greenberg, Mayor of Louisville, kENTUCKY
Programs: Leadership Louisville Class of 2004, Bingham Fellows Class of 2005, Louisville, Kentucky
Craig Greenberg credits Leadership Louisville and Bingham Fellows with providing him the tools to lead across differences and build trust with people of diverse views and values. His participation in these programs helped him recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and the strength that comes from vulnerability.
“The most important connection I made through these programs was with longtime civic leader Barbara Sexton Smith, who would ultimately join my administration in 2023 as Deputy Mayor,” Craig shares. “Barbara and I were in the same Leadership Louisville class in 2004, and we quickly connected over our love for Louisville and our desire to help make it a better place.”
Through exercises and dialogue, Craig developed a greater appreciation for nuance and learned to avoid “black and white” thinking. He also recognized the value of intellectual humility—understanding that he might not always have the right answers and being open to change his mind.
“Thanks to the friendship and connection we established in 2004, Barbara and I remained close for many years and ultimately got to work together in Metro Hall, leading our city, using the skills and tools we learned more than twenty years ago with Leadership Louisville,” Craig notes.
Craig’s experience in the programs strengthened his desire to engage civically and to encourage others to do the same. He emphasizes that the programs taught him to build common ground and consensus, even when facing disagreement.
“The programs helped me see that leadership is a journey, not a destination,” Craig reflects. “They taught me to trust others, to be open to new ideas, and to create spaces where everyone feels they belong.”
His story illustrates how community leadership programs can lead to transformative behavior changes, like increased trust in people with different views and values, and a stronger commitment to civic engagement.
Rudy Metayer, Councilmember of Pflugerville, Texas
Programs: Leadership Austin Emerge 2011, Leadership Austin Essentials 2015, Austin, Texas
Councilmember Rudolph “Rudy” K. Metayer’s journey through Leadership Austin’s Emerge and Essentials programs is a testament to the power of listening, empathy, and understanding. Rudy believes in being “quick to listen, not to judge,” recognizing that differences can often be bridged through meaningful dialogue. He emphasizes that everyone has their own stories, shaped by unique experiences, and that taking the time to truly listen to others can uncover common ground that might otherwise be missed.
One of Rudy’s most memorable experiences as an elected official came during the 2020 election. In a city often characterized by political division, many Republican households in Pflugerville proudly displayed signs supporting both Donald Trump and Rudy Metayer, a Democrat. “It shocked a lot of Republicans outside of Pflugerville who would say, ‘You know Rudy is a Democrat, right?’ The answer many gave is, ‘Yes, but we know Rudy. We know what he stands for. He truly cares about our community,’” he recalls. This unusual show of bipartisan support speaks volumes about Rudy's reputation for bridging divides and his commitment to serving all members of his community, regardless of political affiliation.
Rudy credits the Leadership Austin programs with giving him the tools to engage constructively with people from all walks of life and political perspectives. “These two programs have given me the skill set to help bridge gaps with people of opposing viewpoints,” he explains. By learning to view differences as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles, Rudy has built a reputation for fostering trust and finding common ground, even in the most challenging situations.
The programs also expanded Rudy’s network, allowing him to connect with professionals and community leaders he might never have encountered otherwise. “It has allowed me to reach professionals, including in the creative spaces, that frankly would never have occurred if not for Leadership Austin,” he adds. This broadened perspective has helped him bring innovative ideas to his role on the city council, fostering collaboration across various sectors to drive meaningful change.
Through his participation in Leadership Austin, Rudy has become a bridge-builder, leveraging his leadership skills to bring people together, foster understanding, and create lasting positive change in his community.
G.T. Bynum, Mayor of Tulsa, oklahoma
Program: Leadership Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Mayor G.T. Bynum credits Leadership Tulsa with transforming his understanding of the city and shaping his leadership style. Having returned to Tulsa after living out of state, the program gave him a deeper perspective on the city’s challenges and opportunities.
“Participation in Leadership Tulsa exposed me to leaders in parts of our city that I did not know,” Bynum shares. “Understanding the challenges and opportunities they faced from a first-hand perspective greatly improved my ability to participate in the civic life of our city.”
Learning to Lead Across Differences
Bynum’s experience in the program helped him develop conflict resolution skills and become more open to diverse perspectives. “Leadership Tulsa allowed me to better understand the diversity of issues facing our city,” he explains. This increased understanding became especially valuable when he was elected to the Tulsa City Council. “I knew which experts I could rely upon for guidance in understanding them better.”
A New Network and Perspective
Moving beyond his high school view of the city, Bynum built relationships and gained insights that continue to inform his work as mayor. “Going through Leadership Tulsa gave me an adult’s understanding of the issues Tulsa faced and a network of people I have relied upon,” he says.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
To anyone considering a community leadership program, Bynum offers this advice: “If you want to make a real impact in your community, this is a great place to start. These programs expose you to perspectives you wouldn’t otherwise have and challenge you to step outside your comfort zone.”
FIND A COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM NEAR YOU
The National Community Leadership Collaborative (NCLC) is a mindtrust of community leadership programs from coast to coast who want to grow impact in their communities and regions as well as collectively across the country by working together. Get to know our national movement by meeting alumni from various programs across the country.