Where Influence Begins: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell on Empowering People to See What’s Possible

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, former Member of Congress and now the Executive Director of GW’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM), shares the deeply personal story of immigrating from Ecuador, watching her mother work multiple jobs, and discovering early the power of resilience, community, and education. These experiences shaped her leadership philosophy and her belief that influence begins with listening.

Debbie reflects on her time representing Florida’s 26th District, how she navigated a diverse constituency from Miami to the Keys, and the critical role of bipartisanship in addressing issues like climate change, immigration, and criminal justice reform. She also offers an honest look at the realities of public service—balancing family, confronting disinformation, and facing electoral challenges—all while staying grounded in purpose.

Today, at GSPM, she’s preparing the next generation of leaders to rise above partisanship, embrace critical thinking, and approach politics with integrity, curiosity, and courage. Her story is a testament to the power of personal narrative, the necessity of coalition-building, and the importance of inspiring others to recognize their own agency.

Takeaways:
→ Influence Starts with Listening: Debbie shares that arriving in the U.S. as a teenager taught her “the art of listening,” a value that remains central to her leadership. Listening with curiosity—especially across difference—is what allows leaders to build trust, understand stakeholders, and create meaningful coalitions.
→ Navigating the Noise of Technology and Social Media: Social media plays a major role in how constituents communicate—but also poses risks. Debbie discusses how leaders must distinguish real community feedback from bots, misinformation, and AI-generated content, all while staying grounded in values and not getting distracted by the noise.
→ Turning Personal Stories Into Policy Impact: Her decision to run for Congress was sparked by seeing firsthand how the lack of access to healthcare harmed her community. Personal stories—like those shared by incarcerated women in a Judiciary Committee hearing—often have the greatest influence on policymakers, more than cable news or the loudest voices online.
→ The Power of Authenticity: Debbie reflects on the pressure to present a “perfect” front as an immigrant woman in politics, and how letting go of that was key to connecting with people more deeply. Authenticity, vulnerability, and showing one’s full self are essential to building trust.
→ Leading With Bipartisanship and Relationship-Building: Serving a swing district taught her that progress is impossible without cooperation. She shares how building relationships—across her own party and the other side—enabled her to address issues like environmental protection with colleagues who shared common concerns.
→ Preparing the Next Generation of Public Leaders: At GSPM, Debbie is shaping future leaders who can think critically, work across partisan divides, and address major challenges—from AI to international conflict—with integrity and courage. Students’ optimism and commitment give her hope for the country’s future.
→ Defining Influence Today: Debbie defines influence as the ability to remind people of their own power—bringing them together, helping them see their shared values, and catalyzing collective action toward a common purpose. She sees herself as a “vehicle” who helps activate that power in others.

Quote of the Show:
“Influence is reminding people of the power they already have.”

Links:
→ LinkedIn:   / debbie-mucarsel-powell-0077437  
→ Website: https://gspm.gwu.edu/