#75: In this conversation, Suzanne Weller interviews Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), discussing her journey of courage and leadership in the nonprofit sector. They explore themes of democratizing pop culture, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Michele shares her personal story, the influence of her mother, and her innovative approaches to revitalizing institutions. The discussion emphasizes the significance of philanthropy and representation in leadership roles, highlighting how small acts can lead to significant change.
 
Key Topics:

Michele shares she is a “product of philanthropy” having received a Milton Hershey School scholarship as a girl
Crisis leadership: 9/11 at United Airlines, Keeping 1,000 animals alive during pandemic shutdown at Woodland Park Zoo
Her "positive disruptors" leadership philosophy
Transforming MoPOP through local partnerships and community engagement
Making philanthropy accessible (starting with $5 donations)

Notable Quote: "I consider my entire organization positive disruptors... What is the opportunity?"
 
Key Takeaways:
Leadership:

View problems as opportunities, not failures
Balance accountability with empathy for your team
Model the behavior you want to see during crisis

 
Community Building:

Partner locally to strengthen the entire ecosystem
Start small - every contribution matters ($1, $5, membership)
Make people feel part of something bigger than themselves

 
Career Growth:

Say yes to unexpected opportunities (San Francisco relocation)
Build resilience through compassion during challenging times
Use each experience to develop skills for future roles

 
Essential viewing: Michele’s rap at The Peer 150 event in October 2024.
 
Connect with The Courage Effect:

Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration
Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect
Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller
Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about 

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