Leading and Governing Associates, Inc.

05/24/2026

“The popular will is the most vital guardrail. We are not just arbiters of power, judging our leaders in elections and polls; and not just supplicants to power, hoping that our leaders will use it wisely and on our behalf. We also legitimize power; we exercise it.

Respecting a guardrail might mean staying in your lane. Becoming a guardrail means stepping out of it.” - Carlos Lozada

Let’s put the sovereign back Into popular sovereignty.

05/23/2026

Honored to have been the guest speaker at Bladen Smart Start’s Early Childhood Teacher Appreciation Dinner! Here’s to all the early childhood educators and providers who do so much for so many!! Our children, families and communities are stronger and healthier for all you do!!

I spoke of the importance of feeling appreciated and sharing authentic appreciation for others to our physical and mental wellbeing and our resilience! Thanks for including me Resilient Bladen and Carra Osborne

Scottie Seawell

05/08/2026

Great week at the Conference! ROAR - Robeson Overcoming Adversity through Resilience Resilient Bladen Resilient Columbus: Columbus County Resiliency Task Force Scottie Seawell Leading and Governing Associates, Inc.

04/15/2026

Fabulous new toolkit from the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers. I highly recommend taking a deep dive to learn more about effective and targeted messaging for policies benefiting children, prenatal to 3-years-old, and their families. ROAR - Robeson Overcoming Adversity through Resilience Resilient Bladen Resilient Columbus: Columbus County Resiliency Task Force Early Years North Carolina Early Education Coalition Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina Scottie Seawell Preserving the Public in Public Schools NC Early Childhood Foundation Smart Start Head Start Administration for Children and Families - ACF

The Vital Need for Strong Policy and Funding Support during the Prenatal-to-Three Years Activating the NCIT Messages Babies are born with amazing capabilities. The early years of life, when brains and bodies grow rapidly, are the foundation for lifelong wellbeing and opportunity. Parents and caregiv...

03/26/2026

Beautiful day retreating with the staff of the Columbus County Partnership for Children!

01/15/2026

Facilitated a productive and enjoyable retreat with board members and leadership staff in support of Alamance Eldercare!

01/13/2026

Celebrating wins and making plans for 2026 and beyond as backbone support working with our community partners to strengthen resilience in Bladen, Columbus and Robeson counties!

01/06/2026

New Year and New Website!!

I’m excited to begin the new year by announcing the launch of my redesigned Leading & Governing Associates website!

At Leading and Governing Associates, we believe passionately in the power of people - educated and engaged in democratic processes and representative governance - to build a better future for all.

We work with public-purpose leaders – nonprofit and elected – to strengthen their leadership, governance, engagement, advocacy, and decision-making. We’ve been proselytizing for representative democracy since our founding in 2004.

🌐 Explore the new site here:
👉 https://leadingandgoverning.com/

05/20/2025

Check out this “behind-the-scenes” video from CSG West. Leading and Governing Associates is proud to have served as faculty for the Western Legislative Academy for all the reasons these legislators share. Our states are better served when our elected representatives participate in opportunities like WLA.

🎥 We’re excited to share this behind-the-scenes look at the Western Legislative Academy (WLA), featuring members of the Class of 2024. In this video, legislators reflect on what inspired them to apply, the moments that impacted them most, and what they’ll carry forward in their public service...

04/14/2025

Resilient Columbus: Columbus County Resiliency Task Force - Faith & Resilience Summit