Ep. 15 - Built to Lead, Called to Serve w/CEO Vanessa Baird-Streeter

In this powerful episode of Policy and Culture, we sit down with Vanessa Baird-Streeter, CEO of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, for a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, legacy, and service.Vanessa shares her journey from entrepreneur to trusted public servant, reflecting on her time as Deputy County Executive of Suffolk County Government, where she helped shape critical policies impacting families across the region. Now, as CEO of one of Long Island’s most important nonprofit organizations, she leads with heart, vision, and deep community insight.We discuss the power of local politics, the challenges of navigating government and advocacy spaces, and what it means to show up every day as a mother, wife, woman, and boss. Vanessa opens up about the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur, the importance of being rooted in purpose, and the lessons she’s learned from wearing many hats—and wearing them well. This episode is a must-listen for anyone balancing leadership and life and committed to making real impact in their community.Support the showThanks for tuning in to Policy and Culture, where we bridge the gap between policy and culture. We're your hosts, Dan Lloyd and Drew Ayodeji.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.For more content and updates, follow us on social media:Instagram: @PolicynCultureVisit our website at www.policynculture.com for articles, videos, and more in-depth analysis on the topics we discuss.Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at [email protected], staying informed is the first step to making a difference. Until next time, this is Policy and Culture, empowering you to understand the world around us.