Chief Influencer®

Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, shares his journey from early-career public health professional to nationally recognized chief influencer. He describes his philosophy of venture philanthropy, approaching the foundation not as a traditional grant-maker, but as a risk-tolerant changemaker, much like an investor on Shark Tank. For Dr. Castrucci, philanthropy’s greatest asset isn’t cash, it’s the courage to take risks and go where others won’t. This mindset is reflected in the foundation’s efforts to boost vaccination rates among conservatives and in the strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships it forges across the public health sector.

He reflects on pivotal career moments, including advice from a mentor to go "be a pirate" before returning to philanthropy and the experience of being passed over for the CEO role, a setback he now sees as crucial for shifting his focus from personal achievement to organizational growth. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Castrucci emphasizes the importance of building an authentic, bottom-up work culture, using storytelling to advance public health, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth.

Takeaways:
  • Align Roles with Individual Strengths: A leader's job is to put people in positions where they can succeed and feel fulfilled. Instead of rigidly adhering to a job description, identify what your team members are uniquely good at and align their tasks accordingly. For example, if one person is a phenomenal community organizer but a weaker writer, let them focus on outreach while a stronger writer on the team handles those tasks.
  • Go Where No One Else Is: To have an outsized impact, especially as a smaller organization, find the niche where others aren't working. Dr. Castrucci applied this by pivoting to focus on COVID-19 vaccine messaging for conservatives when most other large foundations were focused on communities of color, allowing de Beaumont's investment to have a significant, undiluted impact.
  • Embrace Risk and Learn from Mistakes: View philanthropy and leadership through a "venture" lens where risk is your most valuable asset. Your role isn't just to implement what's already proven but to fund new ideas and evolve the evidence base for your field. Adopt the mindset that it's okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from each one and don't repeat it.
  • Foster a Culture of Authenticity: Leaders set the tone for the entire organization. By being open about your own life and priorities outside of work—such as leaving early for a child's concert—you make it acceptable for everyone else to bring their whole selves to work. This creates a more supportive and humane environment where people are comfortable sharing when they need flexibility.
  • Practice Bi-Directional Mentorship: Mentorship shouldn't only flow from the "grizzled older veteran" to the early-career professional. Leaders can gain valuable perspective and stay ahead of evolving trends by actively learning from Gen Z and millennial employees. Use platforms like LinkedIn to engage in these egalitarian exchanges of ideas, where a good idea can be recognized regardless of age or title.
  • Hire for Hunger and Smarts, Not Just Experience: Look beyond traditional credentials to hire people who are "whip smart" and hungry to learn, even if they seem inexperienced for the role on paper. This approach allows you to attract incredible talent that larger organizations might overlook. Throwing smart, capable people onto the field on day one allows them to rise to the occasion and accelerates their career growth.
  • Help Others See Their Place on a New Path: Influence is the ability to help people see a path they wouldn't have seen on their own. When leading change, it's critical to show each individual how they and their unique skills still fit in—and are valuable—on the new path forward. This addresses the natural human desire for both organizational and individual achievement, ensuring people will follow you into uncharted territory. 

Quote of the Show:
  • “Influence is the ability to help others see a path that they would not have seen on their own.”

Links:

Creators and Guests

Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Producer
Amanda Goyette
Guest
Brian Castrucci
President and Chief Executive Officer of the de Beaumont Foundation
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.

What is Chief Influencer®?

Washington is the Center of Influence - in the U.S. and arguably the world. Chief Influencer® spotlights leaders who have figured out how to break through in today’s fragmented and noisy world. Social Driver teamed up with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies and The Communications Board to recognize these leaders as Chief Influencers and highlight how they inspire and influence others.