On this Election Day, I’m voting for leadership that transforms communities.
Today, I’m casting my vote for the kind of leadership that leads with humility, courage, and service — the kind embodied by President Tracy Hartzler, my latest guest on Discovering Your Mission.
In our conversation, President Hartzler and I explore how her life of public service — from working with Native Nations and state government to leading New Mexico’s largest community college — has shaped a vision of education grounded in empathy and action.
Her story is a reminder that the path to leadership is rarely linear. She didn’t begin in higher education. She built her foundation through service, law, and policy — all transferable experiences that today make her one of the most innovative community college leaders in America.
Some powerful takeaways from our discussion:
✅ Transferable Leadership Matters. The best leaders draw wisdom from across sectors — public, private, and civic — and bring those insights to strengthen education. ✅ Partnership Is the New Power. CNM is redefining collaboration by building an ecosystem of employers, educators, and policymakers to meet real workforce needs. ✅ Resilient Leadership Is Relational. From the pandemic to post-pandemic transformation, Hartzler shows that transparency, inclusion, and shared purpose sustain institutions through disruption. ✅ Mission Is Personal. Her personal mission? “Apply my skill and talent to improve the lives of individuals and better my community—with humility, grace, and humor.”
This episode is a timely reflection on how leadership can — and must — build opportunity, trust, and belonging in an age of change.
