Model Leader brings to you a monthly conversation with leaders who are making a difference in the areas most critical to preserve and advance in the United States. We will look at them through the lens of leadership and hope they inspire you to lead in a way that lifts society today.
The Lasting Impact of Education: A Conversation with Harvard Dean Nonie Lesaux
Last week Andrew had the opportunity to sit down with Nonie Lesaux (https://www.gse.harvard.edu/directory/faculty/nonie-lesaux), dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. They talked about leadership and education, covering everything from policy to parenting.
As you listen, we invite you to reflect on the following prompts:
What does my education mean to me? How has it helped form my character?
What can I do to support my community in educating the rising generation?
What role does education play in a healthy democracy?
Enjoy this conversation with a remarkable leader.
Andrew and Ariel
31 Aug 2026
Living in the Wild: An Interview with Uncle Scott and Aunt Pat
In this interview, we sit with Scott and Pat Sorensen, two model leaders who are committed to preserving and advancing the great outdoors.
31 Jul 2026
Indispensable Infrastructure: A Conversation with Polly Trottenberg
As we recognize the societal pillar of infrastructure this month, we had the chance to sit down with Polly Trottenberg, someone with unmatched experience in infrastructure leadership. Whether overseeing New York City transportation through the pandemic, helping pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law while serving as the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, or leading as the Acting Administrator of the FAA, she draws from her deep public service motivation to serve the public in a dynamic and complex area.
1 Jul 2026
Government for the People: A Conversation with James-Christian Blockwood and Yuval Levin
As we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this week, join us for a special episode of the American Model where Andrew sat down with James-Christian Blockwood (https://napawash.org/academy-staff/40927/james-christian-blockwood), President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration (https://napawash.org/), and Yuval Levin (https://www.aei.org/profile/yuval-levin/), founding editor of National Affairs (https://nationalaffairs.com/) and the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (https://www.aei.org/).
We dig into concrete ways for promoting unity through disagreement; how to find gratitude and hope for the durable government system we enjoy; how to ignite a sense of public service in the rising generation; and the characteristics to seek and promote in our public service leaders.
28 May 2026
Building Business with David Marriott, Chairman of Marriott International
We were grateful for the opportunity to sit down with David Marriott, Chairman of the Board of Marriott International. In this personal interview, David tells the story of how Marriott got started 99 years ago, and how he carries the values of his grandparents in his leadership today. The interview includes strategies for employee engagement, how the private sector can contribute to lifting society, oh, and his experience naming a gorilla in Rwanda!
Let’s keep lifting!
Andrew and Ariel
29 Apr 2026
Celebrating Discovery: A Conversation with Former Astronaut and NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden
We had the privilege of sitting down with Charlie Bolden, a public service leader with a remarkable arc: from his boyhood in the Jim Crow south to the astronaut who deployed the Hubble space telescope to the NASA Administrator who led the agency to unprecedented levels of innovation and employee engagement, Charlie understands what it means to break boundaries through discovery. More than all that, you will hear from a leader whose values are his foundation and who applies them in service of a more perfect union. Enjoy!
31 Mar 2026
The Power of Faith in Democracy
In this episode of the American Model, we talk with Mariann Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, and Randy Hollerith, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral. They share wisdom and insights on the freedom of religion, faith, and leadership in the context of democracy.
5 Mar 2026
The American Model: Finding Purpose as a Refugee
Join us as Ariel Galli Marshall speaks with Yasmin Aguilar about her story. After being kidnapped by the Taliban for her efforts to promote women's health as a physician in Pakistan, Yasmin sought safety and purpose here in the United States, where she now leads a refugee resettlement agency today.
27 Feb 2026
25 Years of the American Experiment: A Conversation with Two Young Immigrants
20 years ago, as newly-weds, we volunteered to support immigrant youth in their development. It changed our lives forever.
This week Andrew sat down with two of these young immigrants, Pablo and Joaquin (who requested that we not use their full names). They share their experiences and perspectives in a way that punctuates both the fear and joy that comes with living as an immigrant in the United States.
30 Jan 2026
Building Your Leadership Model with Doug Conant
Doug Conant is an internationally renowned business leader, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, and thought leader with over 40 years of leadership experience at world-class global companies. In this conversation he shares his insight on building leadership models, having practices to reinforce them, and how to lead in a way that will last the next 250 years.
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