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WASHINGTON, D.C., August 25, 2026 — Social Driver announced the next chapter of Chief Influencer, building on its existing partnership with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies while adding the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) as a new partner.
Chief Influencer spotlights leaders who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to earn trust, influence others, and move people to action. After more than 150 conversations with leaders across public service, business, philanthropy, media, advocacy, the arts, and academia, the series is expanding its focus on practical lessons that executives, communicators, public affairs professionals, and rising leaders can apply to their own work.
“Chief Influencer began with a simple belief: the most effective leaders do more than hold a title. They earn trust, influence others to act, and help people see what is possible,” said Anthony Shop, host of Chief Influencer and Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver. “After more than 150 conversations with remarkable leaders, we have seen that every Chief Influencer has lessons others can apply to their own work. This next chapter is about making those lessons even more useful for communicators, executives, and the people who advise them.”
The partnership launched this week alongside a new Chief Influencer episode featuring celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist Robert Irvine. The episode will highlight how leaders build credibility across audiences, translate values into action, and use visibility to support a larger mission.
Chief Influencer has featured leaders including GW President Ellen Granberg, craigslist founder and philanthropist Craig Newmark, Gates Foundation U.S. Program President Allan Golston, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Trevor Project founder Peggy Rajski, former Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, U.S. Senator Andy Kim, Public Affairs Council President Nneka Chiazor, Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth, and presidential speechwriter and author Terry Szuplat.
With PRSA-NCC joining as a new partner, Chief Influencer will connect more directly with the communications professionals who advise leaders, guide organizations through change, and help build trust with key audiences. The partnership will include episode promotion, member-focused content, nomination opportunities, and future live or on-demand programming.
“PRSA-NCC is proud to partner with Social Driver to amplify the powerful lessons of Chief Influencer, because communications professionals are often the people helping leaders build trust, communicate clearly, and show up authentically,” said Trisha Hernandez, President of PRSA-NCC. [Draft quote for approval] “This partnership will give our members access to timely leadership conversations and practical examples they can apply in their work with organizations, executives, and communities.”
Social Driver will continue to produce Chief Influencer across podcast episodes, YouTube, LinkedIn, live events, and partner channels. Chief Influencer reaches a highly relevant audience of 50,000+ executive-level policy, communications, public affairs, and leadership professionals.
Chief Influencer also extends beyond traditional podcast episodes through live conversations and partner convenings, including programs hosted with GW and panels at national conferences and leadership gatherings. Upcoming live programming includes a Chief Influencer panel at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual conference in September.
To kick off the upcoming season, Chief Influencer will host an Association Leader Power Breakfast on August 18, 2026, at PNC Bank’s PNC Place in Washington, DC. The convening reflects the platform’s growing role beyond podcast episodes, bringing leaders together for practical conversations about visibility, trust, communication, and influence.
“Chief Influencer reflects the kind of applied, practical learning that defines the College of Professional Studies, and we’re proud of our partnership with Social Driver over the past three years,” said Liesl Riddle, Dean of GW’s College of Professional Studies. [Draft quote for approval] “These conversations help professionals see how leadership, communication, and influence work in the real world, across sectors and across moments of change. We are excited to support a platform that connects GW’s community with lessons leaders can use immediately.”
Social Driver is a digital agency that helps organizations and their leaders build trust and break through with communication strategies, digital marketing campaigns, branding, websites, and thought leadership.
Chief Influencer spotlights leaders who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to earn trust, influence others, and move people to action. Produced by Social Driver in partnership with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies and the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC), the series shares candid conversations and live programs featuring leaders from unexpected places—from Oscar-winning storytellers and ambassadors to U.S. senators, founders, and movement builders. Through more than 150 conversations and counting, Chief Influencer uncovers practical lessons that executives, communicators, public affairs professionals, and rising leaders can apply to their own work.
The George Washington University College of Professional Studies offers applied, career-focused programs that help working professionals advance their leadership, communication, and public impact.
PRSA-NCC is the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, serving communications and public relations professionals across the Washington region.
