Mayor Yemi Mobolade: Mentorship Matters

[00:00:00] Hi, I'm Katie Kramer, President and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. Welcome to Colorado Leadership Stories, where we talk to everyday courageous leaders who have made transformational impacts in their communities and are building a better state for everyone.

[00:00:18] You'll hear from leaders and organizations and communities throughout the state as we explore the idea that leadership is an activity that anyone can do. Today we join you on Colorado Leadership Stories from the Penrose House, the beautiful and historic home of

[00:00:39] Julie and Spencer Penrose and also the El Pamar Foundation in Colorado Springs. Our guest today is Yemi Mobalade, the mayor of Colorado Springs who joins us to talk about his life and leadership journey

[00:00:51] that brought him from Nigeria to the United States as a teenager, to his younger professional years as an entrepreneur, nonprofit leader and local government official, and of course his first year in office as the 42nd mayor of

[00:01:05] Colorado's second largest city. Mayor Yemi, as you are known, welcome to Colorado Leadership Stories. It's been an honor to be here in Colorado Springs, which is of course my hometown, and it's always good to be home. So welcome. And welcome back home.

[00:01:19] Thank you. Let's start with your childhood in Nigeria. You are the son of two hardworking parents who had professional careers and were also pastors, if I understand that right. Your dad worked in finance and your mom was a teacher.

[00:01:33] Share a little bit about your childhood and growing up in West Africa. It's interesting that you just hear you talk about my parents and the the convocational nature of of who they were both working in a professional field, but also pastors.

[00:01:48] And in some ways, I think that seed was planted in me from a very young age because I ended up doing the same being a pastor and also being a business leader. But that's that's what it is.

[00:01:57] I mean, you know who we are today is in large part to our formation, our early years. And the older I get, the more I realize, oh, my parents are actually rock stars.

[00:02:07] You know, when you're younger, you know, you don't think they know what they're doing or saying. And I'm really proud of the values they instilled in my siblings and I values of hard work, values of generosity.

[00:02:19] I remember my dad would always one of the statements that has been imprinted in my mind forever is the sky's the limit. There's no ceiling. The sky's the limit. And so when you're told that as a kid, subconsciously, it really helps feel

[00:02:35] some of that energy to just keep going and try to accomplish and pursue things that are truly bigger than yourselves. And one of the last thing I will mention about my childhood, I could just talk about this forever,

[00:02:48] but is I use the concept of it takes a village. I say that quite a bit in my in my speeches. And that to me was not just a nice statement. That was my experience growing up in Nigeria and West Africa, different part of the world.

[00:03:03] I literally not just my parents, the village of community members, including uncles, aunties, grandmas and neighbors all really help raise me. And so I'm really big on that concept of it not only takes the village to raise a child, it

[00:03:18] takes a village to get anything done in our cities. Couldn't agree more. What a great metaphor for what you're trying to do here in Colorado Springs as well. So so catch us up in the story at 17. You immigrated to the United States following your brother's footsteps.

[00:03:33] You find yourself in Indiana and enroll at Bethel College. When you were sworn in as mayor last year, you talked openly about that time in your life. You described yourself as lost, lonely and struggling. Why is that such an important part of your story?

[00:03:47] It's interesting that I chose the timing of when I chose to be vocal about the more painful season of my life is when I became mayor. You would think that that's a time you should be keeping that hidden.

[00:04:01] But I do feel feel that God has given me a bully pulpit. And one of the opportunities of being in this position is to leverage my own story, my own opportunity, my own, quote unquote, successes to bring hope to the next generation of Yemenis.

[00:04:18] To know that your story, no matter how hard your story is right now, that is not the end of your story. Yeah, I was lost, lonely, struggling. I was also angry. I was also timid. I grew up as a misfit. These are all parts of my story.

[00:04:33] In fact, you're catching me in a season of reflection because I will be speaking at my alma mater as the commencement speaker. Wow. So I'm actually put in and put in pen to paper right now.

[00:04:46] And some of these experiences reflected on when I arrived at the country 28 years ago and I graduated 23 years ago from Bethel College, now Bethel University. So I'm doing a lot of reflection and on the people in my life that have helped shape Yemeni.

[00:05:02] I often quote a phrase also from my home continent that says, I am because you are or I am because we are. And that's truly my story that a lot of who I am and my successes and my evolution

[00:05:16] as a leader is truly connected to the people who saw something in me before I saw in myself. This could be a whole nother podcast in itself. But let me end this segment with just a quick story.

[00:05:27] So I leave on Friday morning and I get there to northern Indiana. I'm connected with a number of leaders before Saturday, people who have been instrumental in my formation as a leader. And one of the persons I'm connecting with is the name is Vicki Garrett.

[00:05:42] She's in the late 70s now. She was she was my voice teacher and she was an artist in residence at the time. I'm not even a music major. I needed an extra credit. And so I signed up with Vicki.

[00:05:53] I said, Vicki, can I take voice lessons with you? I'm very timid. Keep this in mind. I can't even speak in front of people. And she surprisingly said, yes, she has usually vocal performance majors.

[00:06:03] And Vicki took me on and I will never forget one of the rehearsals in our office. This is a young kid that could barely speak or sing. And Vicki would stop and look at me and say, there's greatness in you. I feel it.

[00:06:17] You're going to do something great with your life. I didn't believe it at the time, but she did. And she saw something in me. And so again, it takes a village. It takes a village. Our success as leaders. I know you get this.

[00:06:32] It's connected and it's in large part due to the people in us that give us a chance, give us an opportunity. And that's what as leaders we do. We pay it forward to give the next generation of Yemis a chance and an

[00:06:45] opportunity to do something great with their life. That's great. That's totally right. I so resonate with that story. You know, stand on the shoulders of wonderful parents. The village that was my community raising, raising me here in Colorado Springs. And then fabulous mentors. So grateful.

[00:07:02] And I want to double back to just what you were saying and thank you for being vulnerable. There is so much power in being human, especially in roles like you and I have these wonderful or blessed with these wonderful positions and opportunities to serve the community.

[00:07:20] And I think when we have a shared experience, right? Um, a struggle, whether that no matter what that was of self doubt or mental health, I mean, I know I've been through things in my life too. It's just relatable and it's real.

[00:07:37] And so I do think that there's, there's that power in sharing your, your, um, all the hard stuff and the powerful stuff. You know, it's the essence of servant leadership. And I think, and I've certainly been there where you look up to leaders, right? CEOs, elected officials.

[00:07:58] And sometimes the world of leadership can feel untouchable or people look at us and go never in my life. That's just not acceptable. The reality is we're like everybody else. Totally. And so when we're vulnerable, we ground ourselves, we normalize ourselves

[00:08:12] and that we're showing the next generation that you too can be the CEO of Betra Foundation because we have a shared experience. Like my challenges are very similar to yours. And so I, I, there's something really inspiring and hopeful, um, to the

[00:08:27] next generation of people we're trying to serve when we offer even some of the more painful parts of our story. Right. Absolutely. Well, let's talk a little more about any other mentors in your life.

[00:08:38] I think that, um, you've shared some of those stories, uh, some of the people that the shoulders that you stand on, that believed in you and, and so is there another person that you'd like to talk about? Absolutely. I am obsessed with mentorship.

[00:08:51] Um, in fact, in fact, I, Bethel college was the first time I'd heard that word mentorship. And if I could attribute something to my success, it's that it's surrounding myself with good people. My parents' tribal language is Yoruba.

[00:09:06] And, uh, in the Yoruba, um, there's an old Yoruba proverb. I remember hearing growing up and don't ask me to say it in a language. I wish I could because it'd make me sound really cool and sexy, but I,

[00:09:17] but the proverb says, um, the wisdom of others keep the king from being called a fool. And that's the essence of mentorship. And I've, I've really leaned into the beauty and the magic of mentorship. And the way I actually approach mentorship is in this concept.

[00:09:31] Um, I've always believed that every man needs a father, a brother and a son. And every woman needs a mother, a sister and a daughter. So it's kind of these three 60 degrees of mentorship where somebody who has

[00:09:45] more miles ahead of me is pouring into me than I have peer to peer mentoring. I call them friend tours, friend mentors. And then, and then I'm also pouring into the next generation of leaders who I have more miles ahead of.

[00:10:00] And by the way, those next generation of leaders are teaching me a lot. So I, every year I assess my calendar and try to take a stock of who's pouring into me, who am I having that peer to peer mentoring and then who am I mentoring?

[00:10:14] And so that's been a practice and a value of mine now for, for at least 10, if not 12 years. Oh, I love that. We have a similar opportunity just with the better scholars that we have every year where we've got these incredible humans that are, you know,

[00:10:28] 17, 18 years old, winning the scholarship and going off to do wonderful things at their universities here in the state. So I hear that. I think one of the other things that's remarkable about your journey is you're such a, you strike me as such a curious leader, someone who is

[00:10:43] invested in always learning and, and education. And so I was looking at your accomplishments. You graduated with degrees in business and information systems, and then got a master's in management leadership. You also went to seminary, right? Um, and leadership training there.

[00:11:02] And it's a lot of education that you invested in your life at that time. Did you already know that you were going to end up in something like this? And not at all. And are, have those degrees been helpful to you? Yes and no. Okay.

[00:11:15] We know in the sense of, have I done everything that my degree was about like information system, uh, going to school for, took, I think five or six computer programming classes. I'm not a programmer, but what I learned in programming is the ability to learn

[00:11:30] something like a new language and be able to think, um, and problem solve. It was frustrating trying to diagnose some of those computer programs and get them to work. So some many times, you know, the degrees that lead to the job itself

[00:11:43] and their degrees that, you know, you're just learning about it's about just critical thinking and ability to research and find answers to the problems that you're seeking. So education has always been a big part of my life. Some of that comes from my own early formation.

[00:11:59] Some of that comes from my own parents journey and story, what took them out of rural Nigeria into become working professionals is education. My dad's story is actually unbelievable because after his dad passed away at age 13, he had dropped out of school to go help with the family.

[00:12:14] Cause he was the first boy and his British teachers fought for him to go back to school and paid his way and convinced his mom, this kid needs to stay in school. And that was a pathway out for him.

[00:12:26] And he was through his story, he was also able to send his own siblings. To school. So I'm a beneficiary of that mindset of you, you got to go to school, you got to keep learning. But I've also found that learning is just something I enjoy.

[00:12:40] If you look at the strength finders, my number two strength is learning. It's an intrinsic value for me, not necessarily an extrinsic value. I keep telling my wife, I want a PhD. She goes, why? What are you going to use it for? I'm like, I don't know.

[00:12:56] I just want to learn. I just want to grow because the process of the structure around education actually forces me to keep learning. I love it. I love it. And we're so lucky you came to Colorado in 2010. Tell us that story. How did you end up heading West?

[00:13:11] Opportunity like everybody else. Right. Go West. Yeah. Go West young man. Like when you look at the story of Colorado, and many people that come here, it's of opportunity. And for me, it started as ministry. And then ministry grew into business,

[00:13:26] grew into economic development, government, and now mayor. Awesome. I love this story about coming to Colorado Springs. As an entrepreneur, you were one of the first to invest in downtown following the Great Recession. So share that story of the co-founding of the Wild Goose Meeting House.

[00:13:46] I didn't realize we had done something special until this, this memory is forever etched in my brain. I remember when my former business partner and I had walked into a downtown event at the Pioneers Museum, we were, we were invited as,

[00:14:01] as guests and we walked into the room and the room was packed full of leaders and everyone just stood up and started clapping. And I went, what's going on? That's when we realized, Oh, what we did was very impactful. It helped too, that we,

[00:14:17] we hadn't lived through the more painful parts of the recession and moving here in 2010. Always saw as opportunity, even though there were a lot of naysayers going this will never work. I was a pastor at the time.

[00:14:29] I was getting tired of all the young people in my city, in my church that had grown up here that couldn't leave, get out of here fast enough. Whoa, why? Well, there's no cool places to hang out. Nothing going on.

[00:14:42] This is kind of getting lame. When I moved here as a problem solver, I moved there as a, and this is what entrepreneurs do. What problem are you trying to solve? And I saw that. And that's how I got back into business. You know,

[00:14:53] my career started in business. I went into ministry and I went back into business because we were trying to solve a problem and we created this incredible third place, this meeting house, this cafe. And we hit that ceiling so fast overnight. It was an instant success.

[00:15:09] And then the community started asking, teach us how you did this. And that's how I went into economic development. Right. And then you start working with the chamber down here. I was handed a job. I literally was like, you're doing this, do this work, help local businesses.

[00:15:26] I love it. So what did you learn about leadership from working in public service? One of the great things of public services, it connects to the deepest part of who I am in terms of purpose, meaning, trying to make a difference.

[00:15:39] I am driven by impact. I live and breathe impact. In fact, my own personal mission statement says, I collaborate because that's one of my strongest skillset. I collaborate for the health growth and prosperity of the city of Colorado Springs. What's that phrase?

[00:15:58] Anybody who knows that why can really deal with anyhow. So I think a lot of times we're focused on what and how we want, what we're going to do. And for me, it's my why really, in my why,

[00:16:11] I began to see that I can do, there's so many options for me, whether it's as a pastor, whether it's as a business leader, whether it's as a government official. So, I've learned that I'm a radical collaborator.

[00:16:24] I've learned that one of my strongest skillset is being level headed and it plays out in the world of politics. I've also learned that I'm a, I'm a problem solver and, you know, bringing people around some of the key problems.

[00:16:38] I've also, this is the biggest thing that I've learned. And this started in college because we talked about the early days of Yemi at age 17. I've also learned that people want to be around me. I know that sounds weird,

[00:16:52] but when you're an insecure 17 year old kid and then learning that you just have natural influence that people want to be around you, people want to follow. And that was the strangest thing about some of my own development process going,

[00:17:05] why? I'm not even sure I like me. Why do you like me? And now as an adult putting that to good use in this situation as mayor, putting that to use for, to advance the flourishing of Colorado Springs with people who

[00:17:22] want to be around me and they're saying what's next, let's go. So those are things that you begin, the more miles you have in life, you look back and you see some consistent themes about, yeah, you didn't go,

[00:17:33] okay. When you're in it, you don't really know, but later on in your life, you go, Oh, okay. That's who I am. That's who I've always been. We got to lean into it and stop trying to be who we're not because we

[00:17:45] spend so much energy just ask for help. We talk about vulnerability. It's okay to say, I don't know. I don't know. Yeah. Right. Well, and I'm struck. I do think that collaboration is one of your superpowers.

[00:17:57] And I also wonder if just being a part of growing up in two different cultures, if that has also impacted your leadership, no doubt, no doubt that that is a superpower, being able to see two different perspective, being the outsider.

[00:18:12] I know what it's like to be an outsider in many ways from being a misfit, but also I just became a citizen seven years ago, even though I've lived in a country for 28 years ago. So I've had to live this American dream also from an outside perspective and

[00:18:26] not being able to fully participate. It gives me the empathy and the ability to see other outsiders and then be able to pull them in to the decision making table. Absolutely. Well, when you ran for mayor, you ran as unaffiliated.

[00:18:39] I think that's so interesting. And prior to you, your predecessors had always been Republican and none had ever been black since 1979. That's amazing. So yeah, I was born. So this was just this incredible story,

[00:18:52] but what do you think you brought to the table that was different and in particular at such a polarizing time in the local and national political landscapes that made you the choice? It's so refreshing to not have any loyalties,

[00:19:06] not having a group of people I'm trying to make happy, not be bound to anyone. I, I, my people is Colorado Springs. I am committed to the common good, committed to pragmatic and unifying leadership. It's why I'm so drawn to the leadership of the 16th president of

[00:19:21] United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, one of my all time heroes of who I share a birthday with. So yeah, so it's a, I'm constantly studying how this leader held a fractured country that was

[00:19:34] not yet in union together. If he did it, then we can do it again. So these are my politics and my politics is just leadership. I do think America is tired of the divide and the fighting. My Washington post interview a couple of months ago,

[00:19:51] so I made a comment that started the reporter. What does president Obama and Mary Yemi have in common? Then I said, oh, even better. What does president Trump and Mary Yemi have in common? And I said, if you look at those two former presidents and their election,

[00:20:06] they ran and in their parties, the party just kind of made fun of them. Like this is not a real story. That's cute. Get in line. It's not yet your turn. And the people said, no, this is who we want. It was the movement of the people,

[00:20:20] the tiredness of the establishment, the tiredness of, you know, the establishment and a political party. And this is a local expression of what we're seeing kind of as a national movement, whether or not you agree with their politics. When you look at this story,

[00:20:36] you can see that America is now choosing leaders. It's not enough to just have a party affiliation. They're asking, do you care about us? Do we have a voice at the table? We want to know you're going to put people over your own politics or the,

[00:20:50] or the people, or the exclusive group of people you are trying to serve or elevate. So you're going to see more and more of these. So I'm thankful for this story, this Colorado Springs story, but it's not limited to just Colorado Springs.

[00:21:04] I think you're going to see it in many cities across the U S we're already seeing it to be frank. Right. Interesting perspective. Yes, absolutely. I want to talk about Colorado Springs a little bit. It's certainly my favorite topic. I know. I'm talking to the mayor.

[00:21:19] And certainly it's different than the Colorado Springs that I grew up in. From the eighties and the nineties. Yes, that's right. And let's not date me. Come on. But no, it is, it's different and it's vibrant and it's exciting.

[00:21:32] And so talk about the city's evolution that you think that it makes it unique and the perfect place. It starts with leadership. That's one of the things I'm so proud of is getting to my, my brand, my identity.

[00:21:46] I get to help represent Colorado Springs on a national and global scene. One of our community leaders is a, and it's a group of investors and community leaders that are working on this best city initiative. And they hired a guy from California to come and

[00:22:04] do a lot of the storytelling. And he said, you know, I'll do it, but I got to meet your mayor first. He goes like, he's excited, which makes your city exciting. When I met the president last last June in the 10 minute interaction we had,

[00:22:19] he, when he shook my hand, he said, what you guys did in Colorado Springs is so special and should be a national model for us to pay attention to. And what he means is that is this way of putting our residents first,

[00:22:32] I had a party politics and this unifying leadership that I helped bring to the table. Um, that humanizes our officers, that humanizes and communities that have been traditionally left off the decision-making table and a new way of leading. And that's what makes Colorado Springs exciting.

[00:22:50] And I'm convinced that we're going to be a city that is going to teach our nation and teach our world a new way of leadership of how enemies can work together. I think it's people are fascinated by my administration.

[00:23:04] The top three of us in the, in the poll that ran against each other, Sally and Wayne Williams are both on my team now. Sally works for me as my senior advisor over government, military and legislative affairs. And Wayne Williams is on my advisory

[00:23:19] council. And so people go, that's different. That's different. That's the right way that we get, and that's how we get things done. That's right. Yeah. Well, and I think the other thing that we share, we're both students of leadership and have benefited from some great programs

[00:23:33] that are here in our state. And in your case, I know you're a graduate of Civico's Governor's Fellowship, which Betcher funds. And we're so proud to be part of that. Yes, absolutely. Well, it's wonderful program. And the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute,

[00:23:46] but just building on that thought that you just had about inviting other leaders to the table. How can cities and communities create more space for participants to get involved and be part of that collaboration to advance their community? Right. This is why I'm obsessed.

[00:24:04] You talked about you and I, students of leadership development. And I think the Betcher Foundation, I think the Elphamor Foundations of our state, I think here in Colorado Springs, the leadership Pikes Peak, or Pikes Peak Leadership, the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute,

[00:24:20] because as leaders, if we can only take people as far as we've gone. So if we don't better ourselves, how do we expect our people to be better? And so I think it's, to your question is creating more spaces for that to happen at the risk of

[00:24:35] people thinking the only way you can have access to it is by signing up to the Civico Governor's Fellowship program. Believe me, that's something to aspire to and keep working towards. But leadership development opportunities are available everywhere from you literally asking somebody to mentor you to,

[00:24:55] if you're a business leader, a nonprofit leader, you create it. As mayor, guess what? I have created it. Every quarter my department heads and I, we take half a day on a Friday. So we have four of these sessions.

[00:25:10] We take half a day on a Friday and we grow together. I tell them we retreat to advance. We retreat to advance. And we have a guy who also grew up in Colorado Springs now in Denver, Takawanna maker. And he comes and he does our development.

[00:25:25] And now we've extended it to our supervisors. Now supervisors are also on a parallel track with their department heads. And so I get the opportunity to create it and to provide it and to shape it. You know, thank you, Betcher. Thank you, Elpomar.

[00:25:41] But that's not the only way you can get it. You can create it. You can find it. You can go after it. And so just keep growing. That's right. And I think what that story reminds me of,

[00:25:51] and I think is a hallmark of Colorado in general is if you raise your hand and go all in, then you will find opportunities to contribute. And I think that that's so true. And the barrier is so low in the state of Colorado to get involved.

[00:26:05] It's not like, you know, who your family is or anything. I think it is you raise your hand and we'll put you to work. And I, and I do love that about our state. I like that. Raise your hands. We put you to work.

[00:26:15] We will. We will. And you know what, let me just validate too, like how important it is as a leader to continue to invest in yourself. I'm so glad that you're continuing to do that, right? That you have to refill the well because if you're depleted and you

[00:26:30] stop growing and learning, then you can't advance and reach that potential. So how wonderful that you are continuing to invest. No, thank you. Thank you for mentioning that. One of the feedback I always receive from people is you have one of the

[00:26:43] hardest jobs. How do you still have a smile? And partly because I'm committed to my own development every month. I meet with my spiritual director every month or two, twice a month. I meet with my executive coach. She comes to my office.

[00:26:59] So I'm able to grow myself in things that are just more than the hardship of the job. Frankly, that's how I'm able to navigate having one of the hardest jobs in the city is because I'm investing my own development. Well, thank you for continuing to do that.

[00:27:14] Oh, thank you. Okay. So you've been in the role for about a year now. What would you say has been maybe something that was the most surprising in your time so far? It's a question I get quite a bit and honestly I've had a hard time

[00:27:27] answering that in large part because I'm a futurist. We talk about strength finders. That's my top strength. I'm a futurist. So I make myself a student of the future. So even before I became a mayor candidate, I started meeting with elected officials, with mayors.

[00:27:44] One of my mentors is the former mayor of Oklahoma City, Kirk Humphries. I read just about every book by mayors, about mayors. I worked in government. My office was five offices from Mayor John Sothers.

[00:27:59] So I kind of got a little bit of a window into what I was signing myself up for. That's why I said yes kicking in and screaming. So there's not a whole lot of surprises there other than Jesus,

[00:28:11] this job is nonstop. It's like early morning, it's a late night. But let me tell you what I've been positively surprised in is how well my family has transitioned into this. The parent of three young kids, my wife Abby is incredible.

[00:28:29] And you worry about, you know, you're in a fishbowl life, you know, they also have some pressures, you know, you know, I'm really truly surprised of how well they've handled themselves because right now for my kids, there are also expectations of them.

[00:28:44] You're the mayor's kid and I'm super proud of that. And I've also learned that I'm mayor of my own household. Your wife's not the mayor? She should be the mayor. A quick story that I want to share is that I pulled in a driveway the other

[00:29:00] day. My wife is at the passenger side speaking with me and my seven year old daughter comes to the car to try to interrupt and get my attention. I'm totally ignoring her. She's saying, dad, daddy, daddy.

[00:29:14] I'm ignoring her because I'm talking to my wife. Dad, daddy, dad, dad, mayor, mayor, mayor. I kid you not. I answered and said, what do you need? So apparently if I get called mayor in my house, things happen.

[00:29:32] That's a great story. I love it. I love it. Okay. Final question. Then we'll go to the lightning round. But when you were elected, you laid out ambitious public blueprint to focus around key areas, safety, affordability, infrastructure.

[00:29:46] And you had the priority to have a government that works for your residents. So talk about some of the progress that you've made so far that you feel proud of. Oh, we've done a lot. I appreciate the work of my predecessor John Suthouse and getting our city to

[00:30:02] where we are today. And I've been proud to, yeah, to take that baton and help take it to the next level. The needs of today are there's a strong desire for residents to be engaged in a decision making table.

[00:30:14] And it just so happened that they have a mayor who's an includer. I know the strength finders language. I mean, I've gone through three now in strength finders. And so one of the first things we did during the first hundred days was to

[00:30:26] make my rounds throughout the community and have these listening tours and listening sessions. We engage thousands of residents. I like to say a good leader is quick to communicate a vision. A great leader is quick to listen and other to inspire a shared vision.

[00:30:44] So I wanted my vision for the community to be informed by the residents who live including them. So we're co-creating and we've done that. And we did, we also created solutions teams of team of rivals, of leaders in each one of these strategic priorities.

[00:31:01] So if we're bringing people around public safety, I have some of my senior most members in my police department, firefighters with community members who are working with people who were formerly in prison and at the table trying to solve the issues around

[00:31:18] public safety and then bring those solutions to me. So we've consistently engaged our residents and that's directly feeding the strategic doing the five pillars and the 20 items that I'm accomplishing on behalf of our residents in 2024. We've made progress and we'll still, it's not going to be perfect,

[00:31:39] but we're still going to continue with those values and those strategies. Progress over perfection. Amen. That's great. Okay. Final questions. Okay. Your lightning round. Oh, lightning round. Here we go. What is your favorite Colorado hobby? You know, I wish it was unique and special, but like many people,

[00:31:59] it's hiking and hiking these days. It used to be running because I used to be a runner and exploring the trails, even parts of the trails that hikers don't, don't access because you're a runner. So you can, you can,

[00:32:12] you can cover a lot more ground. So hands down. Well, it's beautiful place to do some hiking in for sure. Okay. Favorite Colorado landmark. What else you think? It's well, it's Pikes. It's gotta be Pikes Peak. I mean America's mountain. That's right.

[00:32:29] America the beautiful inspired a song, right? And also it's the second most visited amount in the world after Mount Fuji, which is a sister cities to Colorado Springs. Of course. Of course we must be the mayor. All right. Let's see. Okay.

[00:32:43] What action hero do you most identify with? I love superheroes. The story of superheroes, but Batman probably is my most favorite because he wasn't born with a superpower. He had trauma came from hardship and pain. We've talked about that, right? But you could,

[00:32:59] and what I would love most about his story is that the very thing that you're afraid of can become where you draw your strength from. So he was afraid of bats part of his trauma, right? And then he becomes a Batman.

[00:33:11] And so when I see part of it is I see a direct connection to my successes today and my superpowers coming from a place of pain and the things I was afraid of. And so, and I think that's a story for everyone.

[00:33:23] Superman is great. All these others are great, but I feel like that just supernatural power is supposed to be an ordinary person who becomes a superhero. I love it. The other thing you have in common is you each have a city that you're fighting for. Right?

[00:33:37] Ooh, I'm going to steal that. I love that. No, thanks for that. Copyright Katie Kramer. What are you currently binging? Is there a show, a podcast, something that you're reading or watching or something that is either wasting your time or inspiring you?

[00:33:59] This may not sound as exciting. I grew up in a house with a faith. Yes. So that's where I still get a lot of my foundation. I'm binging a lot of just listening to the Bible audio, as well as watching documentaries.

[00:34:13] Like I just watched the Testament story of Moses and I'm getting a lot of leadership strategies from just listening or watching those. Cause a lot of those stories, whether it's David or Moses, it's around leadership that balances courage with empathy.

[00:34:28] And that's the kind of leader I want to be. So that's, I'll say that's what I'm binging these days, but I'll tell you what I'm reading. The team of rivals. Yes. About Abraham Lincoln and through the third time, as well as, um, the hunting party by Lucy Foley.

[00:34:43] So I've learned to also balance memoirs and leadership books with, cause that's my natural bent talk about being student of leadership. And then about 10 years ago, a mentor said, your mind has to play. Your mind has to play. And when your mind plays,

[00:34:59] it increases your creativity, makes you a better speaker. So Lucy Foley, the hunting party, I'm almost done with that. And then I'll need to find my next, um, fictional work unless you, maybe you have a recommendation for me.

[00:35:10] No, I'm a non-fiction nerd too. I just took your advice. I'm going to go find a good fiction. Yeah. I'm naturally a non-fiction. Same here. Well, great. Well, this has been a blast. We are blessed to have you as a leader in Colorado and I feel so lucky

[00:35:27] for my hometown that you're here, Mary Yumi. So thank you for the time. We appreciate you. Thank you for your leader. I really mean this better foundation is such a household name in the state, your influence and raising the next generation of leaders in this state is

[00:35:43] tremendous. I'm definitely a beneficiary of the work of better. So keep going. Thank you. Thanks. I am too lucky that way. All right. Thanks. Thank you for joining Colorado leadership stories where we hope to inspire the next generation of Colorado community builders, doers and difference makers.

[00:36:04] Colorado leadership stories is presented by the better foundation. The better foundation supports Colorado by empowering leaders and communities with tools to tackle challenges and pursue opportunities, building a better state for everyone. With an 85 plus year legacy of giving back, we're committed to amplifying our impact for future generations.

[00:36:26] That's the spirit of better.