Chief Influencer®

The meal is the entree that opens the door...It’s maybe the only time someone is going to see a person in a given day or even a given week, depending on where they’re living.

Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, explores this question by highlighting that her organization provides far more than just nutrition; it offers a "more than a meal" service that includes safety checks, home repairs, and social connection. While the brand is recognized by nine out of ten voting adults, Hollander emphasizes the urgent need to turn awareness into action as part of the "End the Wait" initiative, as one in three providers currently maintains a waiting list due to funding failing to keep pace with rising costs. She advocates for this mission by presenting a stark economic reality to decision-makers: the cost of providing a senior with a nutritious meal, a visit, and a safety check for an entire year is equivalent to just one day in a hospital or twelve days in a nursing home.

To lead a federated network of over 5,000 community-based programs, Hollander utilizes a "people-centered" influence strategy shaped by her previous experience as a Chief People Officer. Because the model prevents "command and control" leadership, she focuses on building trust, listening to local providers, and aggregating the network's collective power—such as chicken purchases that rival the volume of a major fast-food chain. This empathetic approach extends to her internal team, where she fosters an award-winning culture through flexible work policies, accountability, and personal touches like singing to employees on their birthdays. By tailoring her messaging, she demonstrates that effective influence is about finding the specific language that resonates with a stakeholder's values.

Takeaways:
  • Influence hasn’t changed—delivery has. Ellie explains that while platforms and tools evolve, influence still comes down to trust, credibility, and inspiring action.
  • Meals on Wheels is “more than a meal.” Beyond nutrition, the organization delivers safety checks, social connection, and independence—often serving as the eyes and ears in a senior’s home.
  • The urgency of the waitlist crisis. One in three Meals on Wheels providers has a waitlist, driven by rising demand and funding that hasn’t kept pace with inflation or population growth.
  • Ending the wait. Ellie discusses the End the Wait initiative—a bold national platform to drive action and ensure that no senior who needs Meals on Wheels is left waiting.
  • People-first leadership. Drawing on her background as a former Chief People Officer, Ellie shares how employee engagement, flexibility, and accountability can coexist—and fuel performance.
  • Tailoring the message. Whether speaking with lawmakers, donors, or community leaders, Ellie explains how she adapts her language to resonate—without losing sight of the mission.
  • Stories that move people. From volunteers learning sign language to connect with clients, to partnerships that keep seniors safe at home, Ellie highlights the human moments that drive influence.

Quote of the Show:
  • “Understanding what individual providers are grappling with, what they’re dealing with on the ground on a day-to-day basis, is so important. So listening is critically important.”

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
Ellie Hollander
President and Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels America
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.