As a business leader, I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey almost 15 years ago, shortly after the birth of my daughter. Balancing career growth and fatherhood became my driving force. I established Exemplar Strategic Communications, a prominent boutique communications and public affairs firm in the education sector, followed by Eduflack Strategies, providing strategic development and messaging services to executives.
Four years ago, as the chief communications and strategy officer at the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, I delved deep into improving the teaching and learning of American history. This led me to create the Driving Force Institute (DFI), the largest producer of American history education videos in the United States. Collaborating with esteemed brands like the NY Historical Society, the Smithsonian, and the American Battlefield Trust, DFI won a Telly award for its engaging and essential educational videos.
Throughout my journey, I learned the significance of embracing failure as a learning tool. By failing fast and avoiding repetition, I fostered innovation in each business endeavor.
Significant Accomplishments
My leadership roles have provided invaluable lessons and skill sets. In my first CEO position, I honed my fundraising abilities and emphasized the importance of communicating the “what” and “why” to my team. As an executive director at an international non-profit, I adopted a startup mentality, driving exploration and growth within a well-established organization. Founding Exemplar Strategic Communications taught me the risks and rewards of building something from scratch while recognizing the need for success due to my growing family’s responsibilities.
With the creation of the Driving Force Institute, I integrated these experiences into a new venture. By producing over 500 compelling history education videos and securing partnerships with influential institutions, we have reached approximately 43 million users. By building upon prior successes and avoiding past shortcomings, we have crafted a unique and impactful model.
Leadership Style and Driving Growth
My leadership style is akin to that of a coach. Having coached my daughter’s competition cheerleading squad to impressive results, I value authenticity, sincerity, transparency, compassion, and accountability in all my interactions. Purpose-driven work forms the core of my portfolio, aiming to effect positive change in society. This work can be challenging and untidy, but it is essential to envisioning a better future. As a CEO, I consider myself a coach, an innovator, and an agitator, as each of these roles is necessary for leading my portfolio effectively.
Differentiating Strategies and Initiatives
When launching the Driving Force Institute, we initially had a modest collection of 25 films with no concrete distribution plans. However, research involving educators and students indicated our potential. The onset of COVID-19 provided an opportunity to address an urgent need. Over the course of four years, we established distribution partnerships that enabled us to reach over 43 million users. Collaborating with the leading video production partner, Makematic, we have created a library of over 500 videos. Moreover, strategic partnerships with The DoGoodery and recognized museums, non-profits, and public institutions have further enhanced our content.
Our differentiating factor lies in our focus on short-form videos, tailored to the preferences of today’s learners who consume content in brief bursts on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. By highlighting the untold stories of American history, overlooked in traditional textbooks, we provide engaging and relevant content that captivates and resonates with students.
Overcoming Challenging Situations
Five years ago, I conducted a national poll that revealed fewer than 4 in 10 Americans could pass a basic history test, similar to the test for becoming American citizens. This realization led me to explore ways to connect high school students with history, as they perceived it as boring and irrelevant. After considering various approaches such as online quizzes, simulations, and video games, I became convinced that short-form videos were the ideal solution. Despite initial uncertainties and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation’s decision not to pursue American history education, I acquired the assets and research, leading to the establishment of the Driving Force Institute.
Today, with over 500 films produced, a Silver Telly Award, and millions of users reached, we have successfully transformed history education into an engaging and relevant experience. This journey exemplifies the ability to overcome challenges and transform setbacks into opportunities for growth and success.
Key Values Guiding Decision-Making
Change is often met with resistance, as people tend to find comfort in the status quo. Thus, one of the most significant challenges lies in demonstrating the necessity and value of change. Initially, I focused on explaining “what” we were doing, but I soon realized the importance of communicating the “why.” Building a network of supporters, advocates, and champions who understand the purpose behind our initiatives has been vital to overcoming challenges. By turning an initiative deemed unsuccessful by others into a thriving organization, I have upheld the values of perseverance, clear communication, and building consensus.
Staying Informed and Contributing to Success
To remain informed about industry trends and developments, I engage in ongoing learning. I actively seek out mentors, advisors, and industry peers to expand my knowledge and skills. Continuous learning, addressing shortcomings, and embracing failure as a catalyst for improvement have contributed significantly to my success as a business leader. By staying updated on emerging trends, I can adapt and innovate within my organization, positioning it for sustained growth.
Future Aspirations as a Business Leader
Our success in making American history interesting and relevant to learners of all ages sets the stage for future endeavors. We aim to expand our impact by collaborating with state Departments of Education to develop learning content aligned with state standards. Leveraging the strength of our partnerships, we envision reaching an even larger audience year after year. By building upon past successes, learning from failures, and focusing on meaningful work with the potential for significant impact, we will continue to make a difference in education and society as a whole.
