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Government, Infrastructure & Policy Strategist | Senior Advisor | Lecturer, University of Chicago.
One Team, One Vision. A Leadership Philosophy That Transcends Titles. Leadership isn’t about the title on the door, it’s about the people who walk through it. Across my career, from IDOT to the Governor’s Office, from leading the Illinois International Port District to driving innovation at Lyft, and now serving as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Illinois House, I’ve learned one simple truth: if you can align people around a shared purpose, you can accomplish almost anything. That’s what “One Team, One Vision” means to me. It’s not a slogan. It’s a discipline, a daily commitment to clarity, communication, and community. Whether in government, business, or the classroom, this principle has guided every chapter of my career. Start With People, Not Process Too often, leaders try to fix systems before they understand the people inside them. When I began in public service, I saw how departments could become silos each protecting its own turf. The result? Frustration, inefficiency, and missed opportunity. But when people feel seen and valued, they move differently. They collaborate, innovate and take ownership. Everywhere I’ve led, I’ve made it a priority to listen first. Because when you invest in people, the systems take care of themselves. Clarity Is Oxygen Vision fades quickly if you don’t repeat it over and over again. At Lyft, well, that's a different story, but at the Port District, it meant connecting stakeholders to the larger mission of revitalizing Chicago’s economy. In the Speaker’s Office, it means helping hundreds of people, staff, members, and constituents, see themselves as part of something bigger. Leadership isn’t about giving one great speech. It’s about having one great conversation a thousand times. Lead With Purpose, Not Ego Titles change. The corner office moves. But purpose stays. Servant leadership doesn’t mean stepping back it means stepping with people. It’s knowing that power is most effective when shared. The goal is always the same: leave people stronger, systems more transparent, and institutions better than you found them. Build Habits That Outlast You Excellence isn’t an act, it’s a system. The habits you build as a leader: checking in, communicating clearly, creating accountability — become the culture you leave behind. Over time, integrity becomes habit. Collaboration becomes the default. That’s when leadership outlives the leader. The Next Generation Is Watching 16 years of teaching, I’ve seen what happens when young people realize they have permission to lead. They don’t wait for titles. They lead from where they are. That’s what I want for every professional, in every field: understand that leadership isn’t positional, it’s personal. Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about control, it’s about contribution. When you bring people together around a shared purpose, when you make space for others to lead, that’s when “One Team, One Vision” becomes more than words. It becomes a way of life.