In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with David Mansouri, President and CEO of SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education), to talk about the leadership lessons, policy wins, and long-view strategy behind Tennessee’s transformation in public education. David shares how a passion for politics and a background in music led him to a career in education policy—and how sustained, bipartisan commitment has taken Tennessee from the bottom ranks to a national leader in student achievement. The conversation dives into SCORE’s approach to collaboration, navigating political shifts, and why real change requires patience, purpose, and people who are willing to do the hard work.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Tennessee climbed from 45th to 13th in national education rankings
• Why bipartisan, long-term policy alignment was key to sustained change
• How to lead through political transitions while staying mission-focused
• The role of collaboration and humility in effective leadership
• Why small, clear goals—like one more 3rd grader reading on grade level—can drive big systems change

Mentioned in This Episode:

• TN SCORE
• Vanderbilt Study on Teacher Evaluations
• SCORE TN 2030 Report
• SCORE Policy Pillar Memo Series

In this powerful kickoff episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister sits down with Randy Boyd — entrepreneur, education leader, and relentless change-maker — to unpack a career built on hustle, heart, and an unshakable mission to make things better.

From starting college at 16 and launching a multi-million dollar business from the back of a van, to reshaping Tennessee’s higher education landscape with bold, people-first initiatives like Tennessee Promise and the Drive to 55, Randy’s story is a masterclass in vision-driven leadership. He shares hard-earned lessons on perseverance, the art of navigating challenges with grace, and why clear, candid conversations are the real catalyst for lasting impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why no one can make you quit — and how Randy internalized that truth
• How entrepreneurial grit translated into groundbreaking public service
• The behind-the-scenes story of turning a big, audacious education reform dream into reality
• How clarity, candor, and community-building fuel lasting leadership
• What Randy believes could make this the greatest decade in the University of Tennessee’s history

If you’re looking for real-world inspiration on building a life of impact, staying true to your values, and leading with purpose — this conversation will light the fire.