Host Nan Whaley sits down with Nikol Miller, Executive Director of the Miami Valley Urban League, to explore what true mentorship looks like – and how lifting others can transform careers, communities, and lives.
Nikol embodies the spirit of Carry As You Climb. A trusted community leader and lifelong mentor, she shares how she approaches guiding others with honesty, humility, and purpose. Nan and Nikol also reflect on their decades-long friendship in Dayton and the mentors who helped shape their paths.
Their conversation covers:
- Importance of partnerships and collaborators in community building
- How leadership is a verb
- The power of lessons learned from "failing forward"
- How to lead with listening before problem solving - especially when the work is hard
- Why mentoring is one of the most meaningful ways to "carry as you climb"
Guest Bio
Nikol Miller is the Executive Director of the Miami Valley Urban League, a division of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. A lifelong public servant and proud Dayton native, Nikol brings deep experience in community outreach, policy, and leadership to her work empowering others.
Before leading the Urban League, she served as Community Relations Manager for the Greater Dayton RTA, helped develop the national outreach plan for the 2020 Census, and served as the Chief of Staff for Chicago’s 7th Ward Alderman. She is active in numerous local organizations and boards and is known for her mentorship, authenticity, and dedication to community.
Resources Mentioned
- Miami Valley Urban League
- Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
- Feminism and the Heartland by Judith Ezekiel
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