What if your next vacation could transform lives—including your own?
In this inspiring episode of the Leaders of Transformation podcast, host Nicole Jansen welcomes Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and executive director of GlobeAware – an award-winning nonprofit that has mobilized volunteers across more than 25 countries through service adventures that create lasting social impact.
Kimberly shares how voluntourism, when done responsibly, goes far beyond traditional Travel. These immersive experiences cultivate cross-cultural leadership, deepen human connection, and shift how people see the world – and themselves. From her own journey leaving the corporate world to building GlobeAware, Kimberly breaks down the power of meaningful service and the practical steps for participating in global volunteer projects.
This conversation reveals why service travel isn’t just about helping others – it’s about developing resilience, gratitude, empathy, and a renewed appreciation for humanity. If you’ve ever wanted your vacation to mean more than photos and souvenirs – or you’re seeking a powerful way to grow as a leader, Family, or team – this episode may spark your next bold step.
What We Discuss in This Episode
- How Kimberly’s passion for cross-cultural service travel began
- What “voluntourism” really means—and how GlobeAware ensures ethical, responsible impact
- How volunteers and local communities benefit from service-based travel
- Why working alongside – not above – local populations creates sustainable change
- Who can participate in GlobeAware projects and how it works
- How COVID-19 forced nonprofits to innovate in international service travel
- The unique Growth families and corporate teams experience through these programs
- How volunteers fund their trips and how GlobeAware remains financially sustainable
- The leadership challenges of running global programs in dynamic environments
- The lasting personal transformation participants experience—and why joy is central to it all
10 Key Takeaways
- Accessible Voluntourism: GlobeAware offers short-term service travel—often described as a “mini Peace Corps”—making global Volunteering accessible to families, professionals, and corporate teams.
- Ethical, Community-Led Service: True impact begins with equality. Projects are designed and led by local communities, ensuring their needs and voices come first.
- Transformative Learning Through Experience: Side-by-side service fosters empathy, gratitude, and cultural awareness—especially powerful for families and young people.
- A Powerful Perspective Shift: Exposure to different ways of living reshapes views on privilege and consumption through experiential learning—not lectures.
- Simple, Supported Participation: Trips are tax-deductible and easy to join, with logistics like food, lodging, and bilingual coordinators fully managed.
- Leadership & Team Development: Corporate groups use GlobeAware experiences to build trust, resilience, gratitude, and cross-cultural leadership skills that translate back to the workplace.
- Sustainable Operating Model: Only 15% of program fees support operations; the rest directly funds project materials and local labor—without government funding.
- Resilience Through COVID: GlobeAware survived global shutdowns by pivoting to virtual programs, adapting Health protocols, and reimagining community engagement.
- Redefining Impact: Success isn’t measured by numbers alone—but by the lasting shifts in perspective, gratitude, and connection participants experience.
- Joy at the Core: Beyond impact, volunteering creates enduring joy—rooted in shared humanity and the simple act of serving together.
Podcast Highlights & Timestamps
00:00 – Transformative Travel with Kimberly Haley-Coleman 03:23 – From Tourism to Purposeful Travel 07:49 – Lessons on Water Conservation 10:27 – Creating Meaningful Engagement Through Service 14:02 – The Ethical Evolution of Voluntourism 16:44 – Building Homes and Changing Lives 22:40 – Overcoming Barriers to Girls’ Education 25:35 – Ending Child Labor Through Sustainable Solutions 28:19 – Adapting Service Travel During COVID 30:18 – Measuring Impact Beyond Numbers 34:46 – Reconnecting to Our Shared Humanity 39:15 – Traveling for Growth and Perspective 42:55 – Why Now Is the Time to Act 43:40 – Team-Building Through Shared Service Experiences
Listen and empower your next journey to be one that transforms—not just the world, but you.
Favorite Quotes
It changes how you see the world, and it brings joy you can’t get anywhere else.
We often lose sight of what our standard of living is in North America. In Cambodia, you can have access to neither running water nor electricity and still be considered middle class.
Experiential learning is so valuable—no lecture needed.
Episode Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/550-transform-your-next-vacation-volunteer-abroad-and-create-lasting-impact-with-kimberly-haley-coleman
Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com
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As a transformational leadership coach, strategic business advisor, and podcast host, my passion is developing aspiring leaders and helping good leaders become great. This world needs more great leaders, who live and lead themselves well, and who uplift and empower others to do the same. Leaders who make this world a better place for everyone.
It begins with you and me - living on purpose, expanding our vision and beliefs, and inspiring positive change in our circles of influence. If you enjoy intelligent conversations, I invite you to check out my Leaders of Transformation Podcast where I interview extraordinary difference makers and world changers every week. Currently we have over 475 episodes and are honored to be in the top 1.5% podcast globally reaching listeners in over 140 countries. Hope to see you there!
