From Passion to Action | How Service Vacations Build Transformational Leaders

Building Leaders of Transformation Through Service Vacations

In the latest episode of the Innovation World Young Collaborators Podcast Series, host Nishka Lal sits down with Kimberly Haley Coleman, founder of Leaders of Transformation and Executive Director of Globe Aware, to explore how service becomes leadership – and how purpose-driven action can create lasting global impact.

How Service Transforms Passion Into Leadership

This conversation centers on a powerful idea: leadership doesn’t start with a title – it starts with intention. Kimberly shares how meaningful service experiences can shape values, expand perspective, and empower individuals, especially young people, to lead with empathy and purpose in the world they are helping to build. 

Through thoughtful discussion, the episode highlights how voluntourism, when done responsibly, can move beyond surface-level engagement to foster genuine connection, mutual learning, and long-term community impact. Service becomes more than an experience – it becomes a catalyst for growth, accountability, and transformation. 

Purpose-Driven Impact That Lasts 

Kimberly emphasizes that sustainable impact happens when service is rooted in partnership and respect. Rather than approaching volunteerism as a one-way act of giving, she underscores the importance of listening to communities, learning from local leaders, and showing up with humility. 

These principles are at the heart of Globe Aware’s mission: creating ethical, community-led volunteer programs that support education, health, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation around the world. The episode illustrates how intentional service can leave a positive footprint long after a volunteer returns home. 

Empowering the Next Generation of Global Leaders 

Host Nishka Lal brings a fresh perspective shaped by her work at the intersection of technology, finance, and social impact. Together, she and Kimberly discuss how young people can align their passions with action – whether through service, leadership development, or impact-driven careers. 

The conversation encourages listeners to think critically about how they engage with the world and reminds us that leadership is built through consistent, values-driven choices.