CPL Spotlight: Michael Fedor   Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Program: Springboard Training Profession: Environmental Leader Organization: League of Conservation Voters

What does “progressive” mean to you?  

Progressive means putting the health, welfare, and freedom of people first - first over corporate interests and the interests of government itself.  A progressive is willing to stand up and stop the movement of using government as a tool of injustice, division, and destruction.

Progressives are open to new ideas and prone to asking the questions “why not?” and “how?” in seeking new solutions to old problems. Progressives know that you don’t fight the battles you want to fight; you fight the battles that need fighting.

What motivates you to be involved in public service?    

I have always been the type of person who steps forward to take responsibility.  I have grown up in a time of deteriorating leadership, but I refuse to accept the idea that the days of honorable, visionary leaders are far behind us. I believe that public service will only become a pursuit of respected leaders when we once again set high expectations for those we choose to serve us. So long as we continue to “settle” and throw our hands up and say “oh well, that’s the way it is,” it’s not going to get any better.

Before I took my current position, my wife and I had a conversation about whether or not to plunge into the political world. We have witnessed first hand how ugly politics and government has become, but we came to this conclusion: If people who believe in the inherent value and power of government to do good stop fighting, then who will be left to fight to make it better?

What current leadership positions do you hold? 

Currently, I am the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters. PALCV is a statewide nonprofit that works on the politics of the environment. It is one of 33 leagues across the nation doing similar work. 

My responsibilities include providing vision and leadership for the organization, reaching out to voters and helping to educate them on issues. I also work to pass legislation that makes Pennsylvania a healthier, cleaner and safer place to call home, and helping good people get elected to state and local government.

What advice do you have for other emerging progressive leaders?  

There is strength in numbers. I was getting rather discouraged recently until a close friend took the time to introduce me to some progressives who are fighting the battles daily. Reach out to people who share your desire to see progress.  Find strength in the sense of community.

Don’t give in to the notion that the system has become too corrupt to change. Some of the most dramatic changes in our nation’s history came when times were their darkest and a visionary emerged to light a candle of hope.

Don’t take yourself so seriously that you forget that the quest to become a leader is not a destination. Becoming a leader is a journey that once begun, never ends. It’s the sum of wins, losses, mistakes, triumphs, laughter, tears, poetry, and prose. Take it all in.

...and about the Center for Progressive Leadership:

What did you get out of the Springboard Training? 

I was surprised to learn that I have to develop a personal strategic plan when planning my political future. Doing so ensures that I have benchmarks and timelines to measure my progress against. It also proves that gaining a position of leadership is not an accident. It takes commitment and a solid plan.  

It’s not an easy process to engage in because it is a process of self-discovery, but I found it incredibly empowering. It really allowed me to be focused and talk out-loud about where I want to go.

What have you been doing since you finished the Springboard Training?  

I applied some of the techniques immediately to my operation of PALCV. I also started talking with my family about where we want to be in five years professionally. I’ve started reaching out to my most trusted friends who always said “When you run, call me. I want to help.” I started making the calls saying “I’m not running yet, but we have got to start laying the ground work.”

I also got involved in my local community by being appointed to the local Zoning Board and getting to know the people who help to run my community. Recently, I reached out to a few young elected leaders in Pennsylvania. I figured we had some things in common and we could all benefit from building stronger relationships and talking regularly about the future.

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