The world of volunteerism has fundamentally changed since 2020. How can established organisations adapt to shifting demographics, motivations, and a post-pandemic market? In this episode, we go straight to the source of innovation and legacy, speaking with Karen Leies, CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the world's oldest guide dog organisation.

Karen shares the unique challenges The Seeing Eye faced and how they refused to stand still. We take a deep dive into their transformative partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to analyse the new volunteer landscape and develop a data-driven strategy. Discover how they are now marketing volunteer opportunities to entirely new audiences, and a focus on creating meaningful roles for families. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for any leader looking to energize their volunteer program and build a resilient community for the future.

Plus, for our UK listeners, discover the foundational role The Seeing Eye played in helping to establish the UK's own Guide Dogs for the Blind association.

About Our Guest:

Karen Leies is the CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the pioneering organisation that has been enhancing the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of people who are blind through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs since 1929. With a deep commitment to the organisation's mission, Karen leads a dedicated team of staff and volunteers in continuing a legacy of excellence and innovation in the guide dog movement.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Seeing Eye: Learn more about their incredible work, mission, and volunteer opportunities at www.seeingeye.org.

• Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Explore their work in the social impact sector at www.bcg.com.

• Guide Dogs for the Blind (UK): For our UK listeners, learn more about the organisation The Seeing Eye helped inspire at www.guidedogs.org.uk.

  
  

  Connect & Continue the Conversation:

  Thank you for tuning in to Time for Impact! We are dedicated to bringing you the freshest thinking in volunteerism from professionals who are making a real difference.

  Stay tuned as we continue to bring you conversations with volunteerism leaders from around the world.

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  This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account: ⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠⁠⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

What does the future of volunteering look like?

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Katerina Manoff, the dynamic CEO of the US charity, ENGin. Katerina, whose journey has taken her from Ukraine to Harvard and across the commercial and education sectors, shares how she is channeling her unique expertise into pioneering a new model for non-profits.

ENGin connects Ukrainians of all ages looking to improve their conversational English with a global network of fluent speakers. But it's the how that is truly impressive for us. We explore how ENGin has built a slick, user-friendly, and incredibly flexible digital platform that supports thousands of volunteers without sacrificing a warm, inclusive, and welcoming community feel.

Join us as we discuss the art of scaling volunteer engagement, the critical role of technology in building community, and the profound personal and professional growth that occurs on both sides of the screen. We delve into the power of individual stories to demonstrate impact and celebrate the meaningful, cross-cultural connections that are changing lives one conversation at a time.

I was so moved by ENGin's mission and model that I've even signed up as a volunteer myself!

About Our Guest:

Katerina Manoff is the CEO of ENGin. Born in Ukraine and educated in the United States, Katerina is a Harvard graduate who brings a powerful blend of commercial strategy and educational passion to the non-profit sector. Her leadership is shaping the future of digital volunteering, creating scalable solutions that foster deep human connection.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Crafting an Exceptional Volunteer Experience: How ENGin has made its onboarding and participation process so slick, user-friendly, and welcoming.

• The Power of Flexibility: Why modern, digital-first volunteering must be adaptable to volunteers' lives.

• Scaling with Soul: The challenges and triumphs of growing a volunteer base into the thousands while maintaining a strong sense of community.

• Tech for Good: Leveraging technology not just for efficiency, but to build genuine, inclusive communities.

• More Than Altruism: The unexpected pathways for professional and personal growth that volunteering can offer.

• The Impact of a Story: How sharing authentic experiences from volunteers and students demonstrates the true impact of the mission.

• A Two-Way Street: Exploring the mutual benefits of volunteering and the value it brings to both the student and the mentor.

• Beyond Borders: The importance of building meaningful, one-on-one connections across different cultures.

Resources & How to Get Involved:

• Learn more about ENGin's mission: https://www.enginprogram.org/

• Become a Volunteer: Inspired by our conversation? Join me and thousands of others making a difference. The commitment is flexible, and the impact is immense. https://www.enginprogram.org/volunteer

• Follow ENGin on Social Media:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65703219/admin/feed/posts/

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enginprogram/

• • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enginprogram/
  • Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/enginprogram.bsky.social
  • YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@ENGinprogram
  • Telegram: https://t.me/ENGinprogram

  
  

• Thank you for listening to Time for Impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with someone who believes in the power of connection.

  
  

  Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution.

  This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account: ⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏