Reflecting on Episode 1 of Centered Leadership: Why Impact Matters
Alissa D. Gardenhire, Ph.D.
Helping Sports Moms Navigate College Recruitment—& Reclaim Themselves in the Process.
Reflecting on Episode 1 of Centered Leadership: Why Impact Matters
In the first episode of Centered Leadership, we set the foundation by exploring a core question: Why does impact matter? For family foundations, time and resources are precious, but what we’re really aiming for is to create meaningful, lasting change. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily work of giving and program management, but we must take a step back and ask: Are we truly making an impact, or are we just maintaining the status quo?
In this episode, I broke down the importance of going beyond surface-level solutions. Too often, we address symptoms rather than digging into root causes. That’s why impact isn’t just about funding initiatives—it’s about ensuring that what we’re doing actually moves the needle on the issues that matter most. Family foundations, with their unique agility and deep commitment to their missions, are perfectly positioned to drive real transformation in their communities and areas of interest.
I also reflected on my experience in social policy research and how it shaped my understanding of impact. During my time at MDRC, I saw firsthand how many well-intentioned programs failed to create measurable change, and this insight has deeply influenced my work with the Centered Leadership framework. By focusing on the pillars of Inquiry, Intention, Imagination, and Impact, leaders can shift their efforts toward real, transformative outcomes.
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This episode is all about aligning your mission with the kind of impact that changes lives—not just for the short term, but in ways that ripple through communities for years to come. If you haven’t listened yet, check it out and join the conversation about what true impact means for you and your organization.
You can listen here, and subscribe if you like. It's also available on Apple Podcasts and more.