What does it take to not only start mission-driven work at a young age, but to sustain it as an organization grows?
That question anchored an Engage for Good discussion, hosted in partnership with Public Interest Registry, featuring two 2025 .ORG Impact Awards Rising Star finalists: Nick Lowinger, Founder of Gotta Have Sole, and Joshua Williams, Founder of Joshua’s Heart Foundation.
Nick and Joshua reflected on the experiences that have shaped their journey, their work, and how they lead – highlighting key ways individuals can stay connected to their missions and evolve the work..
Leadership grows by staying close to the work
Both speakers described leadership as something that developed over time rather than something defined by a single moment. Staying involved in the day to day work and continuing to take on responsibility helped shape how they led as their organizations evolved.
Community emerged as a stabilizing force. More than an outcome, it served as a source of support, helping reduce isolation, maintain perspective, and sustain momentum during more challenging periods.
Youth leadership is strongest when it is part of the work
A recurring theme was the difference between inclusion and integration. Nick and Joshua emphasized that youth leadership has the greatest impact when young people are embedded across programs, operations, and decision-making not invited in for visibility alone.
Joshua shared how this principle shaped his organization:
“I made sure that anything we did incorporated youth at every level,”
That involvement extended from behind the scenes work to leadership roles, expanding not replacing, experience and strengthening problem – solving with new perspectives
Partnerships depend on clarity and alignment
When discussing partnerships, both leaders pointed to alignment as the foundation of what lasts.
Nick emphasized that effective successful partnerships aren’t driven by scale or exposure.
“It’s finding people with similar value alignment.”
Clear expectations and shared priorities helped ensure that partnerships strengthened the mission rather than redirecting it, building trust that could support the work long-term.
Community provides stability during uncertainty
Periods of change are inevitable in nonprofit work. Both speakers highlighted how long-standing relationships, with peers, partners, volunteers, donors, and mentors, often become most visible during moments of uncertainty.
Staying connected helped keep the work grounded and moving forward, even as conditions shifted.
Evolving practices while staying mission driven
Looking ahead, both leaders reflected on how social impact work continues to evolve. They spoke about integrating business practices like planning, efficiency, and sustainability while remaining firmly rooted in mission.
Joshua noted that the future of social impact will likely continue to blend approaches across sectors, balancing resilience with purpose.
For young leaders, sustaining impact often comes from combining mission-driven values with adaptable, sustainable practices.
Watch the Full Webinar
The full conversation offers more insights from Joshua and Nick, two young leaders shaping the future of social impact.
recording is available to watch for free on the Engage for Good member platform. You can access the recording for free on the Engage for Good community here: https://community.engageforgood.com/c/recent-webinars/rising-voices-meet-the-young-leaders-shaping-the-future-of-impact