We sit down with former Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard for an engaging and insightful conversation about her impressive journey in public service, community leadership, and what lies ahead in her own encore career.From her early days working in librarianship and education to her breakthrough moment mobilizing the community for important school levies, Kim shares how her adaptability, collaborative spirit, and commitment to transparency shaped her political path. She talks about the often-unseen challenges of city leadership—including managing through crises like the opioid epidemic and COVID-19—while tackling issues like economic development, diversity, and housing in Whitehall.Kim also opens up about what true leadership looks like, the importance of strong community partnerships, and advice for both aspiring public servants and anyone searching for a meaningful encore career. Whether you’re curious about navigating career transitions, passionate about public service, or interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of local politics, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt stories. Stay tuned and get ready to look forward—our way!3 key takeaways:Leadership is Vision + Empathy: True leaders communicate their vision, listen to all voices (including naysayers!), and never forget that they serve their community first.Resilience in the Face of Challenge: Whether navigating the uncertainties of COVID-19, addressing housing and opioid crises, or driving infrastructure improvements, Kim showed that challenges can be the most energizing part of public service.Encore Careers Start with Openness: As Kim transitions beyond the mayor’s office, she stresses the importance of patience, volunteerism, and openness to new opportunities—your experience always has value, regardless of age or title.If you like this episode, please let us know. We appreciate the feed back, and your support of offset costs of producing the podcast!Moments00:00 From Librarian to Political Career08:48 Pursuing Education and Public Service15:12 Effective Vision and Community Upgrades16:48 Promoting Homeownership and Community Pride24:00 Whitehall Fire and Police Appreciation27:31 Value of Hometown and Safety34:14 Infrastructure: Slow Build, Quick Progress41:08 Successful School Levy Campaign48:48 Exploring Volunteer Opportunities50:01 Uncovering Value in Encore Careers01:00:57 Expert Insights with Kim MaggardWe would love to hear from you.Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.Email us at hello@lookingforwardourway.com.Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.Please review our podcast on Google!And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of