Social impact work today is drowning in overextension. Well-intentioned organizations are stretched thin, chasing too many goals with too little focus. But what if we flipped the script? What if we concentrated on just one powerful outcome—and let everything else flow in support of it? That kind of strategic clarity doesn’t limit your vision. It magnifies your impact. In this blog, I offer a bold case for narrowing your aim to deepen your results, especially in communities like St. Louis that are hungry for lasting change.

We don’t move society forward by being louder or taking harder positions. We move forward by being clearer in our purpose, more courageous in our convictions, and more connected to the people we’re trying to serve. If we want real progress—not just noise—we must focus less on echoing our beliefs and more on aligning around shared outcomes.

Leadership doesn’t happen in black and white—it happens in the gray. In this post, I explore what it means to lead ethically when the rules aren’t enough and every option feels incomplete. Drawing from my own experience in reshaping a bank’s purpose and navigating high-stakes decisions, I reflect on the role of love as a leadership competency. Real ethical leadership isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about conscience, courage, and responsibility. When pressure rises and easy answers fall short, love must be the guide.

Financial jargon can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this reflection, I share a real conversation I’ve had time and again—both in my head and on my whiteboard—where I attempt to simplify one of the most misunderstood concepts in finance: yields. What exactly is a yield? Why do bond prices and yields move in opposite directions? And most importantly, why should Main Street care? If you’ve ever felt lost in financial conversations, this one’s for you. Let’s strip away the noise and make sense of it together.

Who benefits from where you are in life? That’s a question I started asking myself in college—and it changed the way I see the world. Systems aren’t random; they are built around incentives, and those incentives dictate who wins and who stays stuck. The system is set up to pay for sickness, not health, and to reward mainstream financial institutions for serving those who are financially well, while shadow lenders reap exorbitant profits from those who struggle. That’s just the reality. The real question is: What can you do about it? Because if someone else is benefiting from where you are, you should be too. Did you catch that?

I never set out to be a banker, but once I landed in the seat, I had to figure out how bankers think. That meant tuning into CNBC and trying to make sense of all those flashing numbers—Dow futures, bond yields, and implied market openings. At first, it felt like a foreign language. But over time, I started to see the bigger picture.

Rising bond yields, interest rates moving up or down—these aren’t just headlines. They hit Main Street in real ways. If rates go up, banks might see short-term gains, but only if people keep borrowing. And that’s the catch—when borrowing slows because rates are too high, Main Street struggles. And when Main Street struggles, banks feel it too.

The lesson? Banks and Main Street are tied together more than people realize. When one wins, the other usually does too. And when one suffers? The effects ripple through everything.

When I stepped into banking, I wasn’t a traditional insider. I was a nonnative to the industry—someone who built a career in community leadership, not financial services. That meant I asked questions that seasoned bankers often took for granted. One of those questions led me to a realization: even within the banking world, the tools we use to manage liquidity, like the discount window, are often misunderstood. And maybe that misunderstanding persists because we, as an industry, haven’t done enough to foster real understanding. What if we changed that? What if we started educating before the next crisis, instead of reacting when one hits? Now is the time.

Did you know unchecked management decisions were a big part of the 2008 financial crisis? Families lost nearly $20 trillion in wealth while powerful institutions got bailed out. It’s a reminder that good governance matters—not just for Wall Street, but for all of us on Main Street. Let’s talk about why oversight, ethical choices, and smart leadership make all the difference.

Did you know that every time you deposit money in the bank, you're essentially lending it to them? Your deposits fuel loans, mortgages, and investments that power the economy—right in your community or beyond. Understanding how your money moves isn’t just for bankers; it’s a lesson in how your financial choices shape Main Street’s future.

Dr. King taught us that love and justice are inseparable. His legacy reminds us that progress isn’t just about tearing down barriers—it’s about building bridges to equitable opportunities. Today, as wealth inequality reaches unprecedented levels, we must ask ourselves: Are we creating systems that uplift everyone, or are we allowing prosperity to remain concentrated in the hands of a few? Justice demands bold action. Let’s honor Dr. King’s vision by mentoring those in need, advocating for fair policies, and investing in businesses that lift entire communities—not just individuals. Together, we can build a world where justice flows like a river and righteousness stands firm.

Have you ever felt like your paycheck doesn’t stretch as far as it used to? Like you’re pedaling uphill with flat tires? That’s inflation at work. When I was a kid riding my bike, I didn’t think much about the words "inflate" or "deflate." But I knew one thing—if my tires were flat, I couldn’t go anywhere. Simple as that. Years later, I realized inflation works the same way. Just like a bike can’t run on flat tires, your money can’t keep pace without adjusting for rising costs.

Inflation might sound abstract, but if you’ve ever filled your gas tank or wondered why groceries feel so expensive, you’ve felt it firsthand. The good news? Just like fixing a flat tire, small financial actions today—like investing a little each paycheck—can keep you moving forward.

Leadership is leadership. The fundamentals don’t shift just because the metrics do. But here’s the thing—priorities, pressures, and perceptions in nonprofits and for-profits couldn’t be more different. Nonprofit leaders juggle some of the most complex challenges, balancing shifting funding mix, diverse stakeholders, and mission-driven mandates. If you can lead at a high level within a nonprofit, you can lead anywhere—because mission-driven leadership fosters resilience, engagement, and long-term success.

I think about the economy every day – I just don’t talk about it much. There’s already plenty of noise out there. I focus on how economic shifts hit Main Street, local businesses, and homeowners because that’s where it matters most.

Community banks feel the effects firsthand. When rates rise or markets shift, it impacts how we borrow, lend, and grow. My job? Keep things steady and protect the people we serve.

St. Louis has the potential to be an economic powerhouse, but reaching that potential requires vision, inclusivity, and commitment. By learning from others, investing in people and place, and fostering bold leadership, we can transform St. Louis into a thriving, inclusive, and vibrant city. The time to act is now.

The best time to start was yesterday – but the next best time is today. Whether it’s building wealth, investing in your future, or casting a new vision for your life, it’s never too late. Every small step count, and what matters most is reclaiming your personal agency and surrounding yourself with the right people. Start where you are and let today be your turning point.

This week reminded me that leadership—and progress—moves at the speed of relationships. From engaging with the Berges Foundation on economic mobility to reconnecting with my alma mater, UMSL, I saw how vital it is to challenge ourselves and others. At Midwest BankCentre’s Nonprofit Connector event, I reflected on the need for more diverse boards and greater inclusion across St. Louis.

Intentionality fuels impact. Whether we’re creating economic opportunities or shaping governance, our collective success relies on showing up, building relationships, and expanding our vision.

On the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown's death, I chose to listen instead of speak—guided by the advice of a friend. Reflecting on that day, I realize how much the events of 2014 shaped my path as CEO of Midwest BankCentre. In the years since, I’ve come to see the critical difference between offering help and offering a hand-up. Help meets an immediate need, but a hand-up creates lasting change, opening doors to new opportunities. St. Louis needs more hand-ups—more belief in the potential of people and shared economic growth that includes everyone. If we don’t act now, the world will move on without us.

Community Revival: The Power of Good-Paying Jobs

Connecting Diverse Leaders: Building Bridges for a Better Future

Being present in a community doesn’t mean being invested. Banks are often required to maintain a presence in certain neighborhoods, but presence without purpose is just reputation management. True community advancement requires more than charity—it demands genuine investment of capital and transparent communication. For communities, it means understanding the operational realities of banks. For banks, it means recognizing the dignity and potential of every individual seeking credit. Together, we can transform neighborhoods by building authentic partnerships that create lasting economic resilience.

Philanthropy: Clippers and Cops

The Foundations of Shared Prosperity: Community, Opportunity, and Growth

Reflection on Business Trends and Outlook Survey Data Release

Juneteenth: Embracing the Unbreakable Spirit of Opportunity

Navigating the Lonely Helm: Insight from a

Four-Time CEO

The Perils and Promise of Long-Term Value Creation

Discovering Our Unexpected Paths

Shared Prosperity: A Key to Health and Well-being Across Communities

Summary of the Psychology of Money

Insights Five Years In: Still Invitational

10 Traits that Distinguish Great Leaders

Unlocking Leadership: Striving for Great Work

Unlocking Leadership: Risking An Encounter

A Different Kind of Banking

How You Finish Matters More: A Sunday Reflection

Commitment Precedes Resources: A Sunday Reflection

Reimagine Banking

Leadership Lessons: Overcoming Adversity

The Power of Active Faith: A Sunday reflection

How to Handle Disagreements: Lessons in Leadership

You are not the risk you think: A Sunday reflection.

Leadership Lessons: Nonprofit Board Service Will Sharpen You

Reflections on Leadership, Faith and Love

Partnering for Transformation

Winners and Losers

Community Banking: It’s Not Sexy, But It Does Make Sense