Civically Grown

***This Episode***In this episode of Civically Grown, Paige Hughes Binfield shares her journey from growing up in a small rural town in upstate New York to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs. Paige reflects on how early opportunities through YMCA Youth and Government helped shape her confidence, leadership style, and commitment to public service.Paige opens up about one of her earliest leadership disappointments, losing an election at age sixteen, and how that setback became one of the most important turning points in her life. Rather than allowing failure to define her, she learned to reflect, pivot, and return stronger, lessons that continue to shape how she leads today. She shares why resilience, humility, and the willingness to ask questions have become central to her leadership philosophy.Throughout the conversation, Paige highlights the broader impact of the YMCA beyond gyms and sports, describing the organization as a convener, connector, and incubator for community. She discusses the YMCA’s role in shaping public policy around childcare, community health, and social connectedness, while also emphasizing the importance of financial assistance programs that made opportunities like Youth and Government accessible to her own family growing up.Paige also reflects on navigating leadership as a young executive, helping others identify their “superpowers,” and why leadership is less about age or titles and more about consistency, relationships, and how you make people feel. Ultimately, she describes her leadership style as a plant: always growing, adaptable, and requiring care, reflection, and the right environment to thrive.In this episode, you will hear about:- Losing a major youth election at sixteen and how it shaped Paige’s resilience- The leadership lessons learned through YMCA Youth and Government- Why failure is often the foundation for growth and future success- Helping people identify and articulate their “superpowers”- The YMCA’s role in public policy, social connectedness, and community building- Viewing leadership like a plant: adaptable, growing, and rooted in care and connection***Guest Bio***Paige Hughes Binfield is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs, serving 28 YMCAs and more than 120 facilities statewide. A proud product of the YMCA, she grew up in the Y’s afterschool program, summer camp, and Youth and Government, later serving as New York State Youth Governor and a Presiding Officer at the YMCA Conference on National Affairs.Paige previously served as Director of Development for the YMCA Alliance of Northern New England, where she provided fundraising, communications, and strategic support across 25 YMCAs. She also spent five years with the Alliance of New York State YMCAs as the Director of Healthy Living, leading chronic disease prevention and management initiatives across 37 YMCAs and helping secure state funding for statewide programming.Beyond the YMCA, Paige brings additional experience from the New York State Legislature, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, and the healthcare technology sector, grounding her work in public policy, community health, and nonprofit development.A nationally recognized leader, Paige was named one of YMCA of the USA’s “30 Under 30” in 2021.Paige holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Manhattan College and an MBA in nonprofit management from Springfield College. She resides in Raleigh, NC with her two goldendoodles, Harry and Sonny.***Show Host***Dr. Shaniece Criss***About The Podcast***From youth leadership to enduring community impact, Civically Grown highlights changemakers who have turned early civic action into meaningful legacies. Two new episodes are released each month on YouTube and all major podcast platforms: https://civicallygrown.captivate.fm/.#CivicallyGrown #LeadershipDevelopment #YMCA #YouthInGovernment #NorthCarolinaAllianceofYMCAs

***This Episode***In this episode of Civically Grown, Dr. Frank Clark, a board certified psychiatrist, poet, and author of six children's books, shares a leadership journey shaped by faith, vulnerability, and the courage to step outside expectations. Grounded in the dual anchors of scripture, "to whom much is given, much is required," and a core belief that true character is revealed in times of challenge, Dr. Clark reflects on how leadership isn't about titles but about tuning yourself, serving others, and redefining success on your own terms.From early lessons in rhythm and collaboration as a young dancer in tap, ballet, and modern, to finding his voice in organized medicine, Dr. Clark traces how mentorship, therapy, and lived experience, including his own mental health journey, have made him a more compassionate and effective leader. He opens up about the pressure of climbing ladders built by others, the freedom of stepping down to build his own, and how saying "no" became essential to saying "yes" to creativity, family, and purpose.Dr. Clark also shares powerful examples of leadership in action: modifying rigid clinical approaches to better serve patients with substance use disorders, and organizing a clothing drive for incarcerated individuals after discovering they lacked basic undergarments.Ultimately, Dr. Clark names his leadership style as the bonsai tree, rooted in balance, harmony, resilience, and the quiet strength to bloom in every season.In this episode, you will hear about:How early dance experience taught collaboration, patience, and being in rhythm with othersWhy Dr. Clark believes everyone needs therapy, and how it helped him lead more authenticallyShifting from rigid clinical care to individualized treatmentLaunching a clothing and undergarment drive for the incarcerated populationThe danger of climbing ladders defined by others and the freedom of building your ownWhat it means to “climb down the ladder” and still thriveLegacy as “spreading the joy of creativity”***Guest Bio***Dr. Frank Alexander Clark is a board-certified adult outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health–Upstate. He also serves as a clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine–Greenville.Dr. Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth College in Illinois and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University. He then completed his residency in general psychiatry at Palmetto Richland Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.In addition to his psychiatric practice, Dr. Clark has held many leadership positions in local and national organizations, including the South Carolina Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association (AMA), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). He is a member of the American College of Psychiatrists and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Clark is believed to be the first Black president of the Greenville County Medical Society.Dr. Clark is a prolific poet who uses his creative work to provide a voice and raise awareness for issues related to mental health as well as diversity, inclusion, and belonging. He has collaborated with award-winning composers around the world who have set his poetry to music. His works have been performed by the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Wild Beautiful Orchestra, and the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.He has also published six children’s books, including Positively Haiku: Illustrated Affirmations in 17 Syllables and Positively Haiku Part 2: Peace, Love, Discovery in 17 Syllables. These books introduce children to positive affirmations through haiku poetry.***Show Host***Dr. Shaniece Criss***About The Podcast***From youth leadership to enduring community impact, Civically Grown highlights changemakers who have turned early civic action into meaningful legacies. Two new episodes are released each month on YouTube and all major podcast platforms: https://civicallygrown.captivate.fm/#CivicallyGrown #LeadershipDevelopment #Psychiatry #Poetry #Dance #Purpose