Communities don’t change by magic — they transform when leaders listen before they act. As President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Nicole Sherard-Freeman knows that true impact doesn’t happen in boardrooms — it happens during real conversations with people, while wearing sweatpants and a baseball cap. In this episode, Bob and Nicole talk about her organization's role in helping donors invest in causes they believe in, from vibrant parks to thriving arts; her mission to strengthen communities and rebuild institutions; and, if medical advancements at Henry Ford Health allow, her plans to stick around until she’s 115.
:00- Introduction
:55- Bob Riney expresses excitement about interviewing Nicole Sherard-Freeman, President and CEO of Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
1:42- Nicole shares her personal connection to Detroit, having grown up in various parts of the city and the suburbs
2:22- Nicole explains the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which she describes as a funding organization with contributions from thousands of donors
3:29- Nicole provides examples of how small and large donors contribute to various causes, such as scholarships, animal welfare, local parks, and arts
3:59- Bob discusses the importance of community support in health outcomes, mentioning Henry Ford Health's role in providing innovative care
4:41- Nicole highlights the potential for regional partnerships and the importance of collaboration between organizations like Henry Ford and the Community Foundation
5:17- Bob asks Nicole about the Community Foundation's proudest moments, and she cites the role of founding CEO Mariam Noland in the Detroit bankruptcy and the Riverfront project
8:03- Bob shifts the conversation to politics, asking about the attributes needed in the next Detroit mayor
8:36- Nicole emphasizes the importance of leadership skills, understanding large operations, and the ability to run things at scale
9:30- Nicole shares her thoughts on running for mayor and the importance of young leaders stepping forward
10:15- Nicole discusses the Community Foundation's approach to understanding stakeholders and the importance of listening to real stories from the community.
11:51- Bob Riney asks Nicole what advice she would give to her 25-year-old self
12:04- Nicole and she advises traveling more, listening more, and being less critical
12:38- Nicole- “I want to be on the clinical trials so that I end up with the technology upgrades in my body to live till I'm 115”
12:59- Nicole expresses her passion for rebuilding institutions and systems to support communities better
13:44- Bob Riney asks Nicole about navigating the noise and distractions in today's environment
14:15- Nicole shares her approach of listening to the noise and reprocessing it to identify the kernels of truth
16:20- Bob Riney reflects on the conversation, highlighting Nicole's call to get out of one's bubble and listen to diverse perspectives
