Beyond the Title: 12 Questions with David Aguayo
David Aguayo
Sr. Community & Public Affairs Specialist, Alliant Energy
With more than a decade of experience in public affairs, government relations, and political engagement, David Aguayo is the Senior Community & Public Affairs Specialist for Alliant Energy, where he leads local government and stakeholder engagement across Wisconsin. He works closely with elected officials, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community leaders on energy infrastructure, economic development, and public policy issues. David specializes in building trusted relationships, navigating complex community concerns, and advancing projects that support long-term growth and reliability while delivering value for customers and the communities Alliant serves. David is a proud University of Wisconsin–Madison alumnus, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Legal Studies.
01Built to Last starts with a strong foundation. What is the foundation your leadership is built on, and how do you return to it when things get shaky?
My leadership foundation is built on relationships, trust and service. I've spent most of my career working at the intersection of government, business, and community, and I've learned that the strongest leaders are the ones who listen first and remember that every decision affects real people.
When things get shaky, I go back to the basics. I pick up the phone, sit down with people, ask questions and focus on understanding before being understood. Titles, politics and processes all have their place, but trust is what carries you through difficult moments. If you've invested in relationships, been honest with people and stayed grounded in your values, you have something solid to return to when uncertainty shows up.
For me, leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about being present, building bridges, and helping move people forward together.
02Where do you come from, and how do your roots keep you steady when leadership gets hard?
I come from a proud Latino family that believed in hard work, faith, humility and giving back to your community. Growing up, I saw firsthand that success isn't measured by titles or accomplishments alone. It's measured by how you treat people and how willing you are to help others along the way.
Those roots keep me steady when leadership gets hard. They remind me who I am, where I came from and why I do this work. In moments of uncertainty, I don't look to a job title for direction. I look to the values I learned long before I had one. Those lessons continue to guide how I lead, how I build relationships and how I serve my community.
03What's a piece of advice that has stood the test of time for you, the kind you still come back to years later?
A friend, mentor and former boss introduced me to the Doctrine of Completed Staff Work, a principle I've carried with me throughout my career. The idea is simple: don't just identify problems. Do the homework, think through the options and bring forward a recommendation that is ready for action.
That lesson changed how I approach both work and leadership. It taught me to take ownership, anticipate questions and focus on solutions rather than simply raising concerns. Instead of asking, “What should we do?” the expectation is that you've done the work and can confidently answer that question yourself.
Today, working for a large organization where decisions can affect customers, communities and major investments, that principle is more important than ever. Whether I'm preparing a briefing, developing a strategy or engaging stakeholders, I strive to deliver work that is thoughtful, complete and actionable.
It's a simple concept, but one that has stood the test of time: be prepared, do the work and take ownership of the outcome.
04What's a book, quote, lyric, or scripture that has stayed with you and shaped how you lead or live?
One quote that's shaped how I live is one I coined myself: “Look good, smell better.”
It started as a joke, but like many good jokes, there's some truth behind it. I've always believed that how you present yourself matters. Not because leadership is about appearances, but because showing up professionally demonstrates respect for the people you're meeting and the work you're doing.
Plus, if you're going to make a first impression, it might as well be a memorable one.
05What's something you've had to rebuild after it broke or fell apart, and what did that teach you about building things that last?
One of the things I've had to rebuild throughout my career is my own definition of success. Early on, I thought success was mostly about the next opportunity, promotion or title. Over time, I've experienced setbacks, campaigns and projects that didn't go as planned, unexpected turns and moments where I had to reassess what really mattered.
Those experiences taught me that the most durable things in life aren't positions or accomplishments. They're relationships, character and trust. When those are your foundation, you can weather change, recover from setbacks and continue moving forward.
Building things that last isn't about avoiding failure. It's about creating something strong enough to withstand it.
06What's one question every leader should ask if they want to build something that outlasts them, and why?
If I could offer one question for every leader to ask, it would be: “Who am I developing to take my place?”
Leadership isn't just about solving today's problems. It's about creating systems, relationships and future leaders that can carry the work forward. If an organization, team or initiative can't succeed without one person, then it was never built to last in the first place.
The leaders who leave the greatest legacy aren't always the ones who receive the most recognition. They're the ones who create opportunities for others to lead, grow and succeed long after they're gone.
07Who are you actively preparing to carry this work forward, and what are you doing to set them up to succeed without you?
There are a select few individuals I've taken under my wing over the years. I've helped them navigate their careers, opened doors when I could and created opportunities for them to grow.
I do that because people once did the same for me. Some of the most influential people in my life gave me a chance before they really knew me. They trusted a recommendation, saw potential and invested in me anyway. Those opportunities changed the trajectory of my career.
I believe part of leadership is paying that forward. It's not enough to build your own success. You have to help create opportunities for others to succeed as well. So I try to share what I've learned, make introductions and provide honest guidance when it's needed.
I won't name them because this isn't about recognition. But I will say this: you may not know who they are today, but I have a feeling you will soon.
08When leadership feels heavy, what do you turn to (music, travel, culture, faith) that restores you and keeps you feeling like yourself?
Honestly, a good recharge is all I need.
When things get busy or leadership feels heavy, I like to step away from the chaos and head to the beach. No meetings, no emails, no agendas. Just time to slow down, reset and enjoy being present, preferably with a margarita in hand.
Bonus points if it's just me and my wife. Those moments help me reconnect with what's truly important and remind me that life exists beyond the next project or deadline.
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a step back.
09When you think about the legacy you want to leave, what do you hope still stands long after you've moved on?
I think about this all the time. How do I want to be remembered, and what do I need to do to earn that remembrance?
Earlier in my life, I thought legacy meant holding public office, having my name attached to something significant or finding a place in the history books. I still think there are many ways to make an impact through public service, and perhaps that's still part of my journey.
But the older I get, the more my perspective has changed. Today, when I think about legacy, I think about my children.
More than any title, accomplishment or professional achievement, I think about what I'm leaving behind for them. The values I teach them, the opportunities I create for them and the example I set every day. I hope they see the importance of hard work, service and treating people with respect.
Ultimately, they are the core of my legacy. Long after my career is over, I hope what still stands is a family that is strong, grounded and committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others. Everything else is secondary.
10What's a small daily habit or discipline that has compounded into something meaningful over time?
Taking my dogs for a walk every morning.
What started as a routine, something mundane and, if I'm being honest, occasionally annoying, has become one of the most meaningful parts of my day. Since I don't have a yard, taking them out isn't optional. It happens every single day, regardless of the weather.
Over time, I've come to appreciate it. Before the emails, meetings and deadlines start competing for my attention, I get a chance to step outside, breathe some fresh air and clear my mind. No phone. No distractions. Just me, my dogs and nature.
It's a small discipline, but it's become a daily reminder to slow down and be present. I've found that starting the day with a few moments of quiet often makes me a better leader, a better husband and a better person.
11What's a moment in your life where the music playing in the background ended up meaning more than you expected, a song that showed up right when you needed it, or made an ordinary moment stick with you?
Music has always been a part of who I am. I started playing guitar at church when I was young and have been playing instruments since I was 10 years old. In many ways, music has been the soundtrack to every chapter of my life.
What's interesting is that I can't point to a single song or moment. Music seems to show up exactly when I need it. No matter what I'm listening to, I can usually find a message, lyric or feeling that resonates with whatever I'm experiencing that day.
Music grounds me. It helps me slow down, reflect and process things in a way that few other things can. Sometimes I hear it in the simplest sounds around me, even when there isn't an actual song playing.
And when I find a song that really speaks to me, everyone around me knows it because it'll be on repeat for the next three months. That's just how I am.
To me, music isn't just entertainment. It's perspective, therapy and inspiration all rolled into one. It always seems to arrive right on time.
12What's a tradition in your life or family that you hope lasts for generations?
One tradition I hope never ends is celebrating birthdays with my wife.
Our birthdays are only five days apart, so over the years it's become our tradition to celebrate them together. What started as a practical solution has turned into something I genuinely look forward to every year.
It's an opportunity to gather our closest friends and family, visit someplace new, try something different and make memories together. As life gets busier, those moments become even more valuable.
For as long as we're here, I hope we continue finding reasons to celebrate with the people we love. And someday, I hope our children and future generations carry on that same tradition of making time for each other, creating memories and recognizing that life's most meaningful moments are often the ones shared with family and friends.