After decades immersed in the rhythm of the corporate world—where success was measured in quarterly revenues, strategic roadmaps, and perfectly polished presentations—I’ve stepped into a different kind of mission. One not defined by KPIs or market share, but by people, purpose, and the joy of contribution.

I’m deeply grateful for the incredible years I’ve spent in corporate. I’ve learned the power of collaboration, the art of clear communication, and the importance of delivering value. These experiences shaped me profoundly, gave me the tools to navigate complexity, and surrounded me with brilliant minds who challenged and inspired me.

Then something monumental happened. While working at Vizionara our team collectively wanted to expand our purpose beyond delivering value to corporate clients, so we created and launched the “Vizionara Gives Back” program. While I continue to stay connected to the corporate space, I’ve also begun providing consulting services to the nonprofit community—and it’s opened my eyes in a way I hadn’t expected.

Here, I’ve found a different rhythm. One of appreciation, shared mission, and genuine impact. 
I’ve found a community that operates from the heart. Every effort is seen, every voice is valued, and every action carries a ripple of positive change. In the nonprofit sector, it’s not about climbing the ladder; it’s about lifting others. It can be as simple as putting together backpacks for girls learning about STEM or as complex as tackling the technology needs of critical community service providers.

My first project under the Vizionara Gives Back program was for an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by substance abuse. They wanted to expand their lifesaving services to more communities with unmet needs. I used my corporate skills to analyze expansion feasibility, costs, and timelines. I helped create a financial strategy, map outreach to donors, funding sources and strategic partners, and create a plan to build infrastructure for local programming.

My experience with this project transcended the task of creating a clear, actionable expansion plan. Learning about and embracing their mission was transformational for me. I not only learned about a community challenge that I wasn’t aware of before, I even participated in training on how to administer lifesaving overdose treatment so that in some small way, I could help further their mission.

I’m already excited about the next nonprofit that I will have the opportunity to work with. I will also continue to stay connected to the corporate space. This isn’t about choosing one type of client over the other. It’s about allowing them to inform each other. And maybe—just maybe—this path will become my lifelong mission.

For now, it’s a chapter I’m honored to write alongside my corporate journey. And it’s one I carry with deep gratitude and purpose.

— Denise Keller is a Principal Consultant at Vizionara