Austin Eras
How Nonprofits & Social Infrastructure Support Austin’s Growth with Matt Glazer
Key Takeaways
- Why he describes himself as a nomadic Texan and what drove him to pursue a political science degree at Trinity University.
- Stories from the campaign trail like the time he was thanked on national tv under the wrong name.
- The shift from politics to a nonprofit career beginning with leading the Austin Young Chamber.
- Why it’s vital for Austin to invest in the social infrastructure, physical infrastructure, and capital improvements we need.
- How Blue Sky Partners was formed to be a social impact consulting company.
- Why he thinks students today are more cynical about the world around them.
- What’s it going to take to keep him in Austin for the next 15 years?
Meet the Guest
Matt Glazer
Matthew A. Glazer is a dynamic leader and CEO of Blue Sky Partners, where he specializes in strategic planning, capacity building, and transformative consulting for nonprofits, small businesses, and government entities. Based in Austin, TX, Matt has a proven track record of driving organizational growth, including serving as a Regional General Manager for WeWork, the former executive director of Progress Texas and the Austin Young Chamber, and as an interim executive director for mission-driven organizations like Good Work Austin, Project Transitions, Urban Roots, and EarthShare Texas. With expertise in change management, facilitation, and program design, he combines strategic insight with hands-on implementation to help clients achieve their goals. Recognized for his community service and professional achievements, Matt is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. He also has a strong background in education, having served as an Adjunct Professor of Practice and Entrepreneur in Residence at Trinity University. Outside of work, Matt is an avid runner, Muppet fanatic, and film nerd.
Show Notes
Today we’re excited to introduce you to a longtime friend, Matt Glazer. Matt and I first met about a decade ago while networking in the Austin community, and his career has been nothing short of fascinating. He’s the former Executive Director of Progress Texas, former Executive Director at the Austin Young Chamber, and served as Community Director for WeWork. Over the years, Matt has focused on launching new ventures and executive and change management, and today, he’s the CEO of Blue Sky Partners, where he leads strategic social impact initiatives for clients like the City of Austin and the Aspen Institute.
What makes Matt truly unique is his ability to surprise me every time we talk. He’s helped launch projects like the Weird Homes Tour and Capitol Intelligence and even served as interim Executive Director for several nonprofits in Austin. Outside of his busy schedule, Matt is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Trinity University, a die-hard Astros fan, and a vinyl collector who knows everything about Austin’s culinary scene.
He joins us for this show to discuss leadership, social infrastructure, and the importance of preserving Austin’s essence.
About the Podcast
Austin Eras is a podcast that unravels Austin’s transformation into a 21st-century boomtown and explores its potential future. We invite listeners to explore the ever-changing landscape of this dynamic city through a unique format where each episode of Austin Eras unfolds a story of the city dissected through time.
We’ll explore the roots of vital topics, step into the present to take the current pulse of the city’s heartbeat, and leap into the future to envision the potential that awaits. Topics will range from BBQ to transportation, professional sports to land development – and everything in between.