Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Hoaby
Hi Josh, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as a leader began in my early 20s when I served as a worship director at a local church. This organization took a chance on me when I was young and inexperienced. In this role, I had the opportunity to develop foundational leadership skills, including managing volunteers, collaborating with a board of directors, overseeing capital projects, and engaging in strategic planning. It was here that I began to shape my vision and style as a leader, focusing on leading teams with honesty, personal investment, and a commitment to celebrating victories—big and small.
This experience paved the way for my next role as the Executive Director of Creative Arts. In this capacity, I not only continued working with volunteers and teams but also gained influence over the entire visitor experience. I was privileged to revamp programs, inspire teams to think creatively, and explore new ways to grow and positively impact the community. After a decade in this position, I felt a calling to embrace a new challenge that would further stretch and develop my leadership capabilities.
Today, I serve as the Executive Director/CEO of the Minnesota Transportation Museum (MTM). This role allows me to draw on all my previous nonprofit leadership experience to help this incredible organization thrive. My passion lies in building strong teams and empowering leaders to make bold decisions that drive success. Having been given opportunities to learn, grow, and even fail along the way, I strive to be a leader who provides the same opportunities for young leaders—equipping them for the next steps in their journeys.
As I enter my second year at MTM, I am thrilled to roll out new initiatives and continue fostering a culture that supports our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Together, we are working to deliver unmatched experiences and build a lasting connection with our mission—ensuring that MTM remains a cherished destination for generations to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The Best Roads Are Never Smooth—But They Lead to the Best Places
One of the biggest challenges in all the organizations I’ve been a part of is helping current volunteers and leaders align around a unified path forward. This often involves navigating some level of change—a process that is rarely easy. As a young leader, I’ve had to learn how to lead individuals with more life experience than myself, many of whom have been deeply invested in these organizations long before I arrived.
Through this journey, I’ve discovered that most people don’t fear change itself—they fear loss. Whether it’s the loss of traditions, familiar routines, or a sense of control, it’s vital to acknowledge these concerns. I’ve found success in helping organizations see how the foundations and accomplishments of the past play a critical role in shaping the future. By honoring the work that has come before, we can inspire confidence in where we’re headed.
Funding for nonprofits is another challenge that requires ongoing creativity. We’re constantly exploring innovative ways to help donors see the value of investing in our mission. By sharing our vision and impact, we aim to build lasting connections that empower our organizations to thrive.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in team development, culture building and strategic vision and goals setting….wow that was corporate…
I hope to be known as a leader who people love to work with, be around and knows them on a personal level.
I am most proud of leading honestly, and going above and beyond for my teams and proving a space for continued creativity and ideas. On my teams everyone has a voice, there are no bad idea’s and no hurt feelings. Everyone has a voice and what we choose to do is what we feel will help us WIN in that space.
I am set apart from other leaders because of my relentless pursuit of our WINS and my values as a leader to be Radically Responsive, Over Prepared, Never to cool for school.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I feel like I had a pretty typically childhood. I was heavily involved in music and church my whole life, which is why I naturally fell into working at Churches in my early career.
I didn’t play a lot of organized sports but was consistently engaged with friends in the neighborhood at the local parks, rinks and courts.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @joshhoabymn
- Facebook: @joshhoabymn
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-hoaby-06534646/
