Leading the Nation
Along with the many alumni working to improve the Birmingham region, Leadership Birmingham graduates like Sam DiPiazza Jr. (LB ’86) are shaping communities across the country. A few recently told us what Birmingham—and Leadership Birmingham in particular—can teach the nation, and how they apply the lessons and insights from their program year beyond Alabama.
“Leadership Birmingham was one of several pivotal experiences that taught me the importance of getting close to a problem in order to address it effectively. I realized that many challenges — and their solutions — transcend governmental and political boundaries. Ultimately, Leadership Birmingham stands as a national model for inclusivity, tolerance, historical accuracy and awareness, and mutual respect.”
— Mitchell Cohen (LB ’16), Chief Medical Officer, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health; Senior Associate Dean for Maternal and Child Health, Stanford Medicine; Stanford, California
“It was such a privilege to have that immersive experience, meeting with people from every facet of Birmingham life. It awakened a sense of mission, interconnectedness, and possibility and resulted in real collaborations. The valuable lessons from that experience remain, as does the deep regard and commitment to Birmingham from its furthest western suburb, San Diego.”
— Emily Hanna (LB ’15), Director of Exhibitions and Chief Curator, Mingei International Museum; San Diego, California
“The old adage rings true for Birmingham and other large cities: commit to move toward progress, not perfection. Leadership Birmingham reinforced for me that effective leadership in faith-based health care must be rooted in service, quality, and a deep understanding of the communities we are called to serve. That ‘listening to understand’ dramatically improves my ability to be an effective decision-maker. The program sharpened my awareness of how our history has impacted current social determinants of health, and it challenged me to lead with greater humility and intentionality.”
— Andrew Gnann (LB ’19), President, Ascension Seton Williamson; Round Rock, Texas
“Leadership Birmingham shows the nation that we are better together and [that] our different perspectives, talents, and skills make us better. I use my experience from Leadership Birmingham daily to build unity for common purposes and the good of work and larger communities. I seek opportunities to celebrate the strengths and leadership of others for the greater good.”
— Keith Elder (LB ’20), President, Saint Xavier University; Chicago, Illinois
“Leadership Birmingham shows that inclusive leadership can drive real change. The program taught me that leadership isn’t a solo act — it’s about building bridges and finding common ground. That lesson has stayed with me. When I stepped into the role of CEO, I knew that our success would depend on partnerships with local communities, policymakers, or other businesses. I often think about that Leadership Birmingham mindset when launching new initiatives: listen first, understand the needs, and then collaborate to create solutions. Leadership Birmingham reminded me that progress starts with empathy and dialogue, and that’s something I try to model every day, whether I’m in a boardroom or at a neighborhood meeting. I’m always thinking about how our decisions ripple across the lives of the people we serve.”
— Chris Womack (LB ’90), President and CEO, Southern Company; Atlanta, Georgia
“Leadership Birmingham was an incredible experience. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, across race, income, education, and social mobility, over time, it creates opportunities to form genuine connections. Through these relationships, we can begin to address and solve some of the systemic challenges that affect our communities. My experience and the insights from my cohort taught me the importance of being intentional about building authentic connections within the community and gaining a deeper understanding of its challenges. I continually ask myself how I can leverage my experiences and my work to be truly helpful. Because when we lift our communities, we transform outcomes.”
— John Henry (LB ’19), Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, UNCF (United Negro College Fund); Washington, D.C.
This article was originally posted in the Leadership Birmingham Spring 2026 magazine. See the full magazine here.