Dr. Damon Cates has been the President & CEO of One Hope United since 2024. Damon received a BA from Millikin University, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an EdD from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined One Hope United from the University of Chicago, where, for over 16 years of service, he led alumni relations and development programs for several of the University’s academic units. In addition to UChicago, Damon has also held leadership fundraising positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University. Damon is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at conferences. He has published articles on enhancing constituent engagement and building organizational capacity, and was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to the Illinois Youth Budget Commission in 2023.  

Key Takeaways:

• Be honest about your lived experience – you can always find commonalities with others 

  
  



• Be aware of the assumptions you make of others on face value

  
  



• Be mindful of the shame that can be attached to certain identities – allow yourself and others to share your/their identity on your/their own terms

  
  



• Engage in your community and the causes you support in whatever ways you can

  
  



• Never underestimate the power of being with people in person

  
  



• Be present and intentional in interactions with others

  
  



• Authenticity comes from passion

  
  

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Beautiful Thing (film)

  
  

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Find Guest’s work:

• One Hope United: https://onehopeunited.org/

  
  

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For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

Email info@incognitotheplay.com with questions or comments about the show!