Today's Forum

Step inside the real Columbus decision-making ecosystem—guided through the eyes and experience of the city’s longest-serving mayor, Michael B. Coleman. This dynamic session pulls back the curtain on who truly shapes Columbus and how Mayor Coleman learned to navigate, unite, and often transform those power centers to make big things happen for neighborhoods.

 

Settle in for an intimate, fireside-style conversation as COCDF CEO Adam Troy sits down with the longest-serving mayor in Columbus history, Michael B. Coleman, for a rare, behind-the-scenes journey into how real decisions get made—and how bold leaders move a city forward.

 

Together, Troy and Coleman will illuminate the true architecture of influence in Columbus: the interplay between city departments, philanthropic forces, corporate partners, developers, area commissions, and the grassroots leaders who bring community wisdom to the table. Through Coleman’s personal stories, defining breakthroughs, and candid reflections—and Troy’s grounding perspective on today’s Linden-centered work—attendees will experience a dynamic, cross-generational dialogue on what it takes to activate systems and deliver change.

 

More than a conversation, this is a practical masterclass in civic strategy, offering tools that echo the Coleman playbook and align with COCDF’s community-driven mission:

 

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• How to build influential relationships that move projects from idea to impact

• How to step into decision-making windows at precisely the right moment

• How to frame advocacy efforts so the right people listen—and respond

• How to translate vision into action within Columbus’s distinct culture, rhythm, and expectations

 

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Designed especially for Leadership Linden Academy Alumni and members of the COCDF Board & Advisory Council, this fireside chat is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about position—it’s about understanding power, navigating systems, and leveraging relationships to create lasting good.

 

You’ll leave not only informed, but energized—carrying wisdom from one of Columbus’s most accomplished leaders and renewed purpose from one of its most committed community builders, ready to accelerate your own work in shaping a stronger, more vibrant Columbus.