Join us for an enlightening episode featuring Jennifer Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of the Department of Imaginary Affairs (DIA). Jenn shares her insights on how nonprofits can break free from scarcity mindsets and embrace creativity within constraints. Explore the importance of collective liberation, the unique paths to readiness, and the transformative power of community engagement. This episode challenges us to rethink how stories are told, how they’re received, and how we can support each other in the pursuit of change. Tune in to learn more from a nonprofit that’s doing so much good in the community space!
Timestamps
3:02 – The founding of DIA
7:11 – Navigating the ambiguity of imagination
9:50 – Story as an anchor for DIA
12:25 – The disconnect between nonprofit programming and policy decision making
14:00 – About Stories of Us – a project supporting adult ESL learners
16:38 – Identifying and developing interventions in the midst of constraints
22:42 – Engaging mindfully with communities
31:23 – Operating as a value-led organization
34:25 – The implications of abundance mindsets
35:03 – Making value-based decisions with mindfulness and humility
37:52 – DIA’s vision of collective liberation
41:20 – Beginning the journey towards equitable futures
44:39 – Relationality, reciprocity, and what’s next for DIA
47:40 – A different way of working and thinking as a non-profit