Voices of leadership
Bridging Divides with Humility: A Leadership Journey Rooted in Purpose
Q&A with Tony Vargas
At a moment when polarization is reshaping how communities engage with one another, the work of rebuilding trust and strengthening democracy is more urgent than ever. Few people understand this responsibility as deeply as Tony Vargas, Executive Director of Square One, a national nonprofit dedicated to reshaping political leadership by helping Democratic women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ candidates run and win in red and overlooked districts.
Before stepping into this role, Tony spent more than a decade in public service as a Nebraska State Senator and a school board member. As a legislator, he developed a reputation for civility, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the people most impacted by policy decisions. His leadership has been recognized across the country, including as a Presidential Leadership Scholar, a Henry Toll Fellow, and a “Top 20 Under 40” state official.
Today, Tony is charting a new chapter in his leadership journey, one rooted in bridging divides, developing values-driven leaders, and strengthening American democracy from the ground up.
“Humility isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength, especially in public life. And it’s a value I hope to carry forward in all I do.”
Tony is a Fellow of the third class of the Civil Society Fellowship, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. We sat down with him at the 2025 Resnick Aspen Action Forum to explore the lessons learned from 12+ years in public service as well as the values, and purpose driving his work.
Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
What’s the problem you’re committed to solving, and what actions are you taking to make progress?
The problem I’m committed to solving is strengthening our democracy by reducing polarization and helping leaders bridge divides without compromising their values. During my 12 years as an elected official, I saw firsthand how much cultural power elected leaders hold. They shape how we think, how we treat one another, and what an engaged and civil society looks like.
Even now, outside of elected office, I remain deeply committed to this work. Political polarization isn’t going away; it evolves. And it is something that both keeps me up at night and wakes me up in the morning.
Some of my actions have been deliberate, and others emerged through the work itself. Serving as a young elected official, leading through my values, and demonstrating what bipartisan collaboration can look like all became forms of action. I earned trust from both Republicans and Democrats, and that helped shape my leadership.
More intentionally, I’ve focused on training and developing local and state elected officials, helping them lead with integrity, humility, and a people-first mindset. I believe our democracy is stronger when leaders are not motivated by power or influence but by the belief that solutions come from centering the individuals most impacted by the challenges we face. That is the work I’ve been doing, and it is the work I want to continue.
Tell us about your leadership journey and any lessons you’ve learned along the way.
For nearly 12 years, so much of my identity has been wrapped up in public service, and I mean that in a very positive way. But stepping out of elected office brought me into a new season of reflection. I’m learning what it means to have impact outside the roles that defined me for so long, and I’m discovering new purpose and new sources of motivation.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of humility. Whether I was in a chamber of commerce or standing before my legislative colleagues, I always said openly that I didn’t have all the answers. We do ourselves a disservice when we pretend leaders are supposed to have everything figured out. A more civil and thoughtful society starts with honesty about what we know, what we don’t, and where we need to grow.
Humility isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength, especially in public life. And it’s a value I hope to carry forward in all I do.
If you were to write a letter to your younger self, what piece of advice or wisdom would you share?
I would tell my younger self to make more mistakes and embrace them. At 27, when I first stepped into elected office, I was constantly pushing myself outside my comfort zone, even though I didn’t always realize it.
Now, as a parent to a four-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter, I think a lot about the lessons I want to pass down. Resilience is something I see lacking in many of our systems. Fear of backlash or failure keeps people from taking bold stances or meaningful risks.
So I would say: take those leaps. Fail more. Talk openly about your failures. Normalize them. Because the more willing we are to embrace failure, the more courageous and grounded we become as leaders and as human beings.
About the Aspen Global Leadership Network
The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is a dynamic, worldwide community of nearly 4,000 entrepreneurial leaders from over 60 countries. Spanning business, government, and the nonprofit sector, these leaders share a commitment to enlightened leadership and the drive to tackle the most pressing challenges of our times. Through transformative Fellowship programs and gatherings like the Resnick Aspen Action Forum, AGLN Fellows have the unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and challenge each other to grow and commit to a lifelong journey of impact.
More from 2025 Resnick Aspen Action Forum
In July 2025, over 500 leaders across the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) community gathered for our largest Action Forum to date. Joined by nearly 100 young leaders, AGLN Fellows from more than 30 countries returned to the enduring questions first posed at at the founding of the Aspen Institute 75 years go: What does it mean to lead with purpose in times of profound uncertainty?
Explore more inspiring content on leadership and change-making from the 2025 Action Forum here.