INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to purpose-driven organizations and passionate leaders and entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities and industries.
Sheryle Gillihan is the CEO of CauseLabs. Follow her on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook. Learn more about CauseLabs at causelabs.com and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
At CauseLabs, our expertise is in helping companies scale positive impact through strategy, design and custom software development.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
We exist to tackle the inequities of our world and we achieve this by blending our expertise and experience in technology with our passion for social good.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
We’re solving critical issues for millions of lives around the world by creating technologies to overcome challenges in reach, efficacy and funding for our partner’s missions. We’ve developed multiple award-winning platforms to increase our partner’s impact on a national and global scale, taking into consideration key issues like localization, limited cellular service, or implementation strategies.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
Everyone who has joined CauseLabs or partnered with us on a project did so because they wanted to make a difference in the world.
We each have our own catalysts that made compassion a core value and inspired us to work in the social impact space. Personally, projects that provide women and children with opportunities gives me purpose and inspires me because I have been directly impacted by this in my own life.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
The impact we want to make is both measurable and immeasurable. We strive to impact 200 million lives by scaling our partners’ programs exponentially. We’d also like to live in a world without inequalities and injustice. Technology won’t be the only factor in achieving this dream, but it does drive impact and is our way of using our strengths for the greater good.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE DREAMS COME TRUE?
To reach this goal, we need partners with expertise in various sectors who have successful programs that can be enhanced, replicated and/or scaled with technology. Our ideal partner is aligned with our mission of creating impact and has both the potential and desire to grow their impact.
Another valuable resource would be other agencies who might consider us a competitor. We want to build relationships to learn from and share insights with others who are making an impact in the world.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Finding companies who are ready, willing and able to adapt and grow their programs with new technology has been a real challenge. In the nonprofit sector, funding is not always available or enough for exploring new digital strategies and tools. With for-profit partners, ROI is sometimes a factor and a straightforward answer is not readily apparent when utilizing new technologies. We dive into the deep end with our partners; it’s a very collaborative process to uncover solutions for impact.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
There are a multitude of worthy causes and problems worth solving. There are many great companies doing great things to solve these problems. Find your niche and partner with other aligned companies. Approach impact from an abundance and partnership mindset rather than from one of scarcity and competition. We are all stronger together.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
Sharing our brand, services and work would help with exposure for our company. We’d also like to connect with others in the social impact space. Everyone we meet has value, expertise and insights to offer that help us learn and grow.