The Leaders’ Table https://leaderstable.podbean.com Real leaders. Honest conversations. No fluff.

At The Leaders’ Table, we shine a light on how leaders rise to the moment.

In each episode, civic changemakers share the decisions they’ve wrestled with, the values that guide them, and the practical tools that help them lead through challenge and change.


An official podcast for LEE. For more info visit www.wearelee.org.

]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 03:05:00 -0400 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en All rights reserved Education:Self-Improvement 1440 serial Real leaders. Honest conversations. No fluff. At The Leaders’ Table, we shine a light on how civic changemakers lead through complexity and uncertainty. Each episode features elected officials, organizers, and movement builders reflecting on tough decisions, the values that guide them, and the tools that help them rise to the moment. Hosted by Mildred Otero and Taylor Steward, this podcast is for anyone shaping public life or exploring a future in leadership. Follow for fresh episodes that inspire action and clarity. LEE LEE No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8656830/Untitled_design_1_bhzd2.png The Leaders’ Table https://leaderstable.podbean.com 144 144 Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund Darryl Cobb, President of the Charter School Growth Fund https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/darryl-cobb-president-of-the-charter-school-growth-fund/ https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/darryl-cobb-president-of-the-charter-school-growth-fund/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2026 03:05:00 -0500 leaderstable.podbean.com/957ee1a9-ff44-3276-a9b6-28b6d900b494 Darryl serves as President of the Charter School Growth Fund, where he leads investments supporting a national community of over 100 high-performing charter school networks. As the founder of the Emerging CMO Fund, he also supports and invests in charter school leaders of color.

 

In this episode, Darryl reflects on what failure taught him while leading a charter school in Chicago — and why growth comes from making mistakes rather than avoiding them. He shares why joy belongs in classrooms and boardrooms alike, and how his family shapes his leadership style and keeps him focused on what matters most.

 

A candid conversation on resilience, leadership, and finding purpose by leaning into unexpected career turns and nonlinear paths.

]]> Darryl serves as President of the Charter School Growth Fund, where he leads investments supporting a national community of over 100 high-performing charter school networks. As the founder of the Emerging CMO Fund, he also supports and invests in charter school leaders of color.

 

In this episode, Darryl reflects on what failure taught him while leading a charter school in Chicago — and why growth comes from making mistakes rather than avoiding them. He shares why joy belongs in classrooms and boardrooms alike, and how his family shapes his leadership style and keeps him focused on what matters most.

 

A candid conversation on resilience, leadership, and finding purpose by leaning into unexpected career turns and nonlinear paths.

]]> LEE false No 2150 1 46 full Michele Jawando, CEO of the Omidyar Network Michele Jawando, CEO of the Omidyar Network https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/michele-jawando-president-of-the-omidyar-network/ https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/michele-jawando-president-of-the-omidyar-network/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:05:00 -0400 leaderstable.podbean.com/ff303f4a-9227-3272-9d4c-4bf81a002d0a Michele Jawando, CEO of Omidyar Network, leads with both head and heart — grounded in analytical rigor, driven by collaboration, and deeply committed to people. A lawyer, former Hill staffer, and lifelong sci-fi fan, she brings curiosity and optimism into every space she leads — whether she’s thinking about the transformative power of technology or investing in the people and culture around her.

 

In this episode, Michele reflects on the mentors who shaped her career and the throughlines that connect her career across policy, advocacy, and philanthropy. She discusses technology’s potential to shape our future, emerging questions around AI, and how she applies lessons from public service — which she calls a sacred profession — to leading a major philanthropic organization.

 

A thoughtful conversation on creativity, values, connection, and what it means to be a builder of ideas, people, and place.

]]> Michele Jawando, CEO of Omidyar Network, leads with both head and heart — grounded in analytical rigor, driven by collaboration, and deeply committed to people. A lawyer, former Hill staffer, and lifelong sci-fi fan, she brings curiosity and optimism into every space she leads — whether she’s thinking about the transformative power of technology or investing in the people and culture around her.

 

In this episode, Michele reflects on the mentors who shaped her career and the throughlines that connect her career across policy, advocacy, and philanthropy. She discusses technology’s potential to shape our future, emerging questions around AI, and how she applies lessons from public service — which she calls a sacred profession — to leading a major philanthropic organization.

 

A thoughtful conversation on creativity, values, connection, and what it means to be a builder of ideas, people, and place.

]]> LEE false No 2138 1 47 full Andy Rotherham, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Bellwether Andy Rotherham, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Bellwether https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/andy-rotherham-co-founder-and-senior-partner-at-bellwether/ https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/andy-rotherham-co-founder-and-senior-partner-at-bellwether/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:05:00 -0400 leaderstable.podbean.com/ec80337a-747c-3797-91e7-93de79a40470 Andy Rotherham, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Bellwether, has built a career in public service driven by a deep belief in expanding opportunity for those too often left behind. Growing up in Reston, Virginia, he saw how even communities that appear integrated can mask significant inequities — particularly in education, where disparities compound and shape outcomes over the course of a lifetime.

 

In this episode, Andy reflects on the importance of looking beyond ideology and asking a simple question: Is a policy good, or just partisan? He shares why leaders are stronger when they cultivate diverse circles, resist echo chambers, and stay curious: whether that means learning the banjo, serving as an EMT, or studying the double-edged impact of AI. 

 

A thoughtful conversation on leadership, lifelong learning, and unlocking the untapped potential in communities too often overlooked.

]]> Andy Rotherham, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Bellwether, has built a career in public service driven by a deep belief in expanding opportunity for those too often left behind. Growing up in Reston, Virginia, he saw how even communities that appear integrated can mask significant inequities — particularly in education, where disparities compound and shape outcomes over the course of a lifetime.

 

In this episode, Andy reflects on the importance of looking beyond ideology and asking a simple question: Is a policy good, or just partisan? He shares why leaders are stronger when they cultivate diverse circles, resist echo chambers, and stay curious: whether that means learning the banjo, serving as an EMT, or studying the double-edged impact of AI. 

 

A thoughtful conversation on leadership, lifelong learning, and unlocking the untapped potential in communities too often overlooked.

]]> LEE false No 2178 1 48 full Carmita Semaan, CEO of Surge Institute Carmita Semaan, CEO of Surge Institute https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/carmita-semaan-ceo-of-surge-institute/ https://leaderstable.podbean.com/e/carmita-semaan-ceo-of-surge-institute/#comments Wed, 27 May 2026 03:05:00 -0400 leaderstable.podbean.com/68e1f700-ac64-3a79-8c7e-7074ebe942e8 Carmita Semaan, the founder and CEO of Surge Institute, an organization that develops and elevates leaders of color, began her career as a chemical engineer before earning her MBA and stepping into corporate leadership. Across her career, she has kept social impact front and center — organizing colleagues, investing in local communities, and challenging systems to do better.

 

In this episode, Carmita recounts a pivotal moment early in her career when she spoke out against racism at her company, choosing integrity over silence and ultimately walking away from the organization. She shares how growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, and the influence of her resilient mother and uncle shaped her values and continues to inform the bold, fearless leadership she embodies today.

 

An honest, powerful conversation about courage, conviction, and what it means to lead decisively when the stakes are real.

]]> Carmita Semaan, the founder and CEO of Surge Institute, an organization that develops and elevates leaders of color, began her career as a chemical engineer before earning her MBA and stepping into corporate leadership. Across her career, she has kept social impact front and center — organizing colleagues, investing in local communities, and challenging systems to do better.

 

In this episode, Carmita recounts a pivotal moment early in her career when she spoke out against racism at her company, choosing integrity over silence and ultimately walking away from the organization. She shares how growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, and the influence of her resilient mother and uncle shaped her values and continues to inform the bold, fearless leadership she embodies today.

 

An honest, powerful conversation about courage, conviction, and what it means to lead decisively when the stakes are real.

]]> LEE false No 2082 1 49 full