The 351

What if the solution for healing divisions in our nation started at the local level? UNITE CEO Tim Shriver and Dignity Index co-creator Tami Pyfer explain their hopeful, practical path to improving public discourse and strengthening our relationships and our country. In this episode, they join Adam and John at Connect 351 to talk through the importance of dignity, how they see the role of local leaders in fighting against the “contempt industrial complex,” and where they see change happening every day – at school board meetings, city council chambers, and other community gatherings.
For Further Reading:
The Dignity Index: https://www.dignity.us

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

What are the real pressures facing local leaders in Massachusetts in 2026? In this episode, we speak with the outgoing president and incoming president of the MMA — Franklin Town Administrator Jaime Hellen and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, respectively — as they go in-depth about how local leaders are often torn in multiple directions and work to achieve success for their communities under the constraints of time, staffing and budgets. They share how fortunate they feel to do the work they do, despite the challenges, and how the MMA is the “glue” that brings local leaders together to solve mutual problems. They also discuss tackling funding shortfalls, and what they’ve learned from their mutual love of hiking.
For Further Reading:
More on Jaime and Kassandra’s leadership: https://www.mma.org/jamie-hellen-is-new-mma-president-kassandra-gove-is-vp/

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

What can Massachusetts leaders learn from someone with three and a half decades of public service experience? Kate Fitzpatrick spent 35 years with the Town of Needham, and is now the Northeast Regional Director for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Throughout her career, she’s recognized the importance of navigating divisions, building consensus, and engaging with the community. She shares her proven strategies and explains why she takes the long view, why process matters just as much as outcomes, and why mentorship is vital to the health of our cities and towns.
For Further Reading:
Check out Kate’s blog: https://verykatefitzpatrick.com/

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

What does a lack of funding from the federal level mean for leaders of cities and towns? In this episode, we look beyond the national politics that are dominating the headlines and dive deeper into the real work of nonpartisan local government with Clarence Anthony, Executive Director of the National League of Cities. A former mayor himself, Clarence talks about the opportunities for strong leadership in cities and towns in this moment, the importance of humanity in public service, the toll of polarization, and what he sees are the most urgent priorities to address.
 
For Further Reading:
Check out Clarence’s podcast with the National League of Cities, CitiesSpeak: https://www.nlc.org/news-insights/citiesspeak-podcast
Learn more about Connect 351, where Clarence will be a keynote speaker: https://www.mma.org/nlcs-clarence-anthony-is-saturday-keynote-for-connect-351

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

As we look into 2026, municipalities across Massachusetts face an onslaught of challenges, from housing affordability to energy costs to maintaining the quality essential services that residents rely on every day. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll highlights what the administration is doing to help communities tackle these issues, the importance of local governments and public service, and the lessons she learned as Mayor of Salem that she uses to inform her leadership today.

 
For Further Reading:

• Lt. Gov. Driscoll reflects on journey from local to state elected office
• Healey-Driscoll Administration Files Municipal Empowerment Bill to Enhance Ability of Local Leaders to Deliver High-Quality Services for Their Communities
• Administration re-files Municipal Empowerment Act
• MMA, local leaders urge legislators to support Municipal Empowerment Act

 
00:32 Massachusetts: A Historical and Demographic Overview
00:55 Introducing the Lieutenant Governor
01:51 Key Issues Facing Massachusetts
05:39 Municipal Empowerment Act
09:18 State and Local Government Collaboration
10:35 Lieutenant Governor's Reflections on Public Service
13:50 Challenges and Achievements in Local Government
17:11 Federal and State Government Relations
20:40 Co-Leadership in the Healey-Driscoll Administration
23:19 Reflections on Public Service and Future Aspirations

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org