Is local leadership declining, even in America’s fastest-growing cities?

Aaron Renn sits down with Mark Barbash, a longtime economic development professional in Columbus, Ohio, to examine the quiet crisis of civic and corporate leadership. They discuss how generational change, corporate consolidation, shifting philanthropy, and a K-shaped economy are weakening the institutions that once held cities together—while headline growth continues.

Using Columbus, Ohio as a case study, they explore what it will take to rebuild commitment to the common good. Topics include the decline of place-based corporate leaders, the rise of donor-advised funds, workforce and housing constraints, the limits of economic development incentives, and whether there’s still a “burning platform” for meaningful change.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Introduction: The Leadership Crisis in American Cities)
(02:05 How Civic and Corporate Leadership Has Changed Over the Decades)
(08:15 Generational Shifts and the Decline of Place-Based Leadership)
(15:00 Economic Development in a Globalized, Industry-Focused World)
(17:00 The K-Shaped Economy, Workforce Shortages & Housing Stress)
(24:00 The Transformation of Local Philanthropy and Community Foundations)
(31:40 Is There a Burning Platform for Change in Booming Cities?)
(37:00 What Should We Do? Rebuilding Consensus and Engagement)

ARTICLES DISCUSSED:
🌐 From Titans to Technocrats: https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/from-titans-to-technocrats
🌐 'The Columbus Way' is failing as community, problems grow: https://www.aol.com/articles/columbus-way-failing-community-problems-082827000.html
🌐 Instability at Columbus Partnership sign of broken Columbus Way: https://www.aol.com/articles/instability-columbus-partnership-sign-broken-081533000.html

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