In this episode of the Power of Possible, Dr. Tashion Macon and Chanda Smith Baker take listeners inside what it means to lead a community foundation. Chanda describes a community foundation as the place where generosity meets purpose and legacy, bringing together people who care deeply about their neighbors and want to make a meaningful difference. At its core, the work is relational — connecting donors, nonprofits and communities in ways that turn care into action. Leading this kind of organization requires more than strategy; it demands a commitment to partnership, service and staying grounded in the belief that, despite differences, people ultimately want the same things: stability, opportunity and a better future for the next generation.
As the conversation unfolds, Chanda reflects on the role of leadership in building connections — especially across difference and across generations. She shares how her approach is shaped by listening: to community, to peers and especially to emerging leaders whose perspectives challenge and expand her own. The episode highlights the importance of creating space for new voices, borrowing courage when needed and remembering what it felt like to be earlier in your journey. In doing so, it offers a grounded, hopeful reminder: when leadership is rooted in community and guided by purpose, it has the power to both meet immediate needs and shape a stronger future for everyone.
What is The Power of Possible: Leadership Edition?
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation exists to bring communities together, harnessing collective energy to make the biggest dreams possible for our state.
In The Power of Possible: Leadership Edition, Foundation President and CEO, Chanda Smith Baker, invites listeners into an honest exploration of leadership as a daily practice — one shaped by values, lived experience and courageous decision-making.
Drawing from her journey as a seasoned executive and nationally recognized thought leader, Chanda examines how leaders hold vision in uncertainty, stay anchored to purpose and expand what’s possible for the people they serve.