“ Impact is really important. When we talk about those partnerships, we have to partner with local communities. We want to look at what a sustainable model is and an ideal model for impact and really tie that in. That’s part of the major storytelling of how communities can lead with self-determination and resilience.”
In this episode of The ImaginePodcast, I sit down with the brilliant Leilani Yats, Executive Director of Seeds for a Future and Chief Experience Officer of Naturally Smart Travel, for an in-depth conversation.
Get your own copy of Leilani’s 3-part Donor Experience Model template exercise — it’s a Google Doc where you’ll be prompted to make a copy for yourself.
Joining in the Q&A part of the conversation are Keturah Shammah of Girls Education Mission International in northern Nigeria and Iton Egopija of Eco Encyclopedia — both of whom joined us through The Bloom network.
I was incredibly lucky to have met Leilani five years ago via a social ad when my co-leader Abigail and I gave our very first ImaginePod webinar training (when we thought, “I wonder when we won’t feel nervous any more about giving a workshop”). It’s been an honor to have had such an eloquent and brilliant impact steward joining and collaborating in so many of the live experiences we’ve facilitated.
Here she shares stories of intentional community engagement in Guatemala and the United States, the power of leaning into impact stories with donors, how she’s grown more comfortable with making asks, and how to do the long game of relationship building.
You’ll also hear and see how she created a year-end campaign on the Givebutter fundraising platform during ImaginePod’s Fundraising Summer Camp.
🧶 At the end, you’ll hear the name of one fundraising coach in Ohio whom she highly recommends bringing into the podcast for another Resilience Roundtable conversation. This is the start of #ImpactThreadB!
This conversation took place in October 2025. We prioritize live conversations with a Q&A audience, and then offer the recording later to catch up or re-live it. Do join the next live, interactive podcast conversation to talk about your organization and get input and ideas!
Seeds for a Future https://seedsforafuture.org — consider donating if you can!
Naturally Smart Travel https://www.naturallysmart.me — look at the next tours coming up!
ImaginePod https://imaginepod.com — join our next live workshop or podcast conversation
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.