LOVE WINS: PlayFull Alumni Leading with Joy

Feb 18

LOVE WINS: PlayFull Alumni Leading with Joy

In this special Valentine’s Day gathering, host Kristine Michie welcomes back former guests to continue the conversation on what fuels their work. These leaders in philanthropy, activism, and social impact have shared their stories before, but in this episode, they reflect on the power of love—not just as a feeling, but as a deliberate choice that shapes leadership, fuels resilience, and sustains meaningful change. From embracing joy in the fight for justice to navigating uncertainty with courage, this episode is a powerful reminder that love, in all its forms, truly wins.

Key Takeaways:

Love isn't just an emotion; it's a daily decision.
Finding joy and playfulness in serious work prevents burnout and sustains long-term impact.
Discussions on justice, equity, and inclusion remain critical, and despite efforts to suppress these conversations, they must continue.
Financial and economic empowerment, especially for women and marginalized groups, is essential for long-term systemic change.
Reflections on history, from Harriet Tubman’s journey following the North Star to the wisdom of suffragettes, remind us that today’s struggles are part of the ongoing, never-ending movement towards justice.

"What is big is what you focus on." — LaTosha Brown

"I do think that there is actual power in just feeling joyful, and playing is one way. So I’m going to encourage you all to play with whoever is in your sphere—today, tomorrow, the weekend, next week—because you get juice from that too." — Elizabeth Cushing

More about our changemakers:

Kathyann Powell is the founder of Saving Jane, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing human trafficking and supporting survivors through education, advocacy, and innovative awareness initiatives. [LinkedIn]
Fatima Ameri is a philanthropy graduate student and ImpactFull, Inc. intern, dedicated to education and women's empowerment. [LinkedIn]
Jess Yupanqui Feingold is a mission-driven executive, impact investor, and creative entrepreneur, serving as Co-CEO of Common Future to build a more equitable economy. [LinkedIn]
Salin Geevarghese is President & CEO of SGG Insight, Senior Fellow at CSSP, and former HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary under President Obama. [LinkedIn]
Elizabeth Cushing is the CEO of Playworks, a national organization leveraging the power of play to transform children’s well-being. [LinkedIn]
Dale Anglin is the director of Press Forward, leading a $500M initiative to strengthen local news, with a background in philanthropy, policy, and community impact. [LinkedIn]
Julia Roig is the Founder & Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project, promoting peace, justice, and democracy through narrative and restorative practices. [LinkedIn]
LaTosha Brown is a cultural activist and co-founder of Black Voters Matter, focused on empowering Black communities through voter engagement and philanthropy. [LinkedIn]
Jenny Flores is the co-founder of AMH Catalyst and former Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo, she leads initiatives to support underserved founders and drive economic opportunity for all. [LinkedIn]
Doug Sandler is a podcast producer, author of Nice Guys Finish First, and co-founder of Turnkey Podcast Productions. [LinkedIn]
Serbio Uzcategui is the CEO and founder of Piropo Flowers and a "Best in Show" winner at the 2023 Fleurs de Villes Hudson Yards show. He also launched Piropo Community, a nonprofit bringing joy through flowers to the people of NYC. [LinkedIn]