#21 From Haiti to Tanzania: Purpose-driven Leadership - With Lauren Lombard

What does it look like to lead with deep empathy—and turn that compassion into tangible, global impact?

In this episode of the Wholistic Productivity Podcast, Chris LeBrun speaks with nonprofit entrepreneur Lauren Lombard about her work supporting vulnerable populations in Haiti, Uganda, and Tanzania. Lauren shares how she’s built meaningful relationships across cultures, navigated complex challenges, and remained centered on human dignity in all aspects of her leadership.

From raising funds to being present in communities on the ground, Lauren opens up about the personal side of purpose-driven work—what energizes her, what she’s learned from failure, and how she stays grounded when the work feels heavy.

🎧 In this conversation:

• The power of empathy in nonprofit leadership
• Lessons from cross-cultural work in East Africa and the Caribbean
• How to stay focused when the mission gets hard
• Building trust and accountability with donors and local leaders
• Why listening matters more than showing up with answers

Show Links

• Learn more about Educare Now 
• Follow on Instagram 
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
03:43 Lauren Journey in International Development
06:27 Balancing Multiple Roles and Responsibilities
09:02 Innovative Technology in Museums
11:45 The Impact of Accessibility in Art
14:12 Launching a Food Truck During the Pandemic
17:44 Establishing Educare Now in Haiti
21:36 Success Stories from Educare Now
25:13 STEM Education and Community Impact
28:03 Responding to Disasters in Haiti
30:50 Miraculous Stories of Resilience
33:04 Impact of Education on Communities
36:15 Expanding Horizons: From Haiti to Uganda and Tanzania
42:32 Building Sustainable Futures
45:31 Finding a Model That Works
48:19 The Questions
56:16 Conclusion

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