SUSTAINABLE IMPACT STARTS WITH YOU:
Cultivate your Inner Environment
Written by Elizabeth McCabe
“There are three ways to ultimate success:
The first way is to be kind.
The second way is to be kind.
The third way is to be kind.”
– Fred Rogers
Part I: On July 23, 2025, Monica Lenches welcomed guests to the University Club for A Kinder World of Commerce's 6th Legacy Hour—a gathering that left attendees inspired, uplifted, and deeply connected. From the intentional networking to the closing wine reception, the event reflected the mission of A Kinder World of Commerce: to weave kindness, care and integrity into business, relationships, and community impact.
Rave Reviews
The feedback says it all.
"Attending this intimate event was truly inspiring - it brought together compassionate community leaders dedicated to kindness and connection. The atmosphere was warm and genuine, making it easy to engage in meaningful conversations. I left feeling deeply moved and it was a powerful reminder of the impact kindness can have when shared collectively. -Victoria Norris-Diez, the Weiser Agency
“Monica Lenches' Legacy Hour was an exceptional learning and networking event, infused with her signature heart-led leadership and integrity,” shared Jaclyn Vouthouris. “The presented content was engaging, relatable, and immediately applicable, amplified by the beautifully curated atmosphere where the event was hosted. Most importantly, the warm and welcoming environment fostered deep, meaningful connections that left me feeling inspired and nourished by new friendships made.”
Sustainable Impact Starts With You
This Legacy Hour marked Part 1 of a two-part series, centering on cultivating one’s inner environment before moving into outward impact. As Monica explained, “For those of us passionate about serving, there can be a tendency to over give— sometimes to the point of burnout. That’s why it’s critical to focus on inner sustainability first. When we are grounded in our values, wholeness, and self-awareness, we can give from a place of fullness rather than depletion.”
The afternoon opened with a guided meditation, giving participants a chance to set intentions and become fully present. What followed was a rich program of panelist insights, breakout sessions, and open dialogue.
Powerful Panelists
Three thought leaders anchored the event with heart, depth, and wisdom:
Abbey Ziv spoke on the importance of our relationship with ourselves and the power of an inner-directed life. A transformational leadership coach and facilitator, she helps leaders live in alignment with their deepest truth while integrating purpose and presence.
Peter Matthies, founder of the Conscious Business Institute, emphasized the role of emotional intelligence and consciousness in shaping the future of business. In his words: “The most impactful thing we can do to change the world is to be a mother who raises her son to be compassionate and kind.” He challenged the audience to imagine a world where leadership balances the masculine (clarity and action) with the feminine (compassion and intuition)—a harmony that could transform boardrooms, communities, and beyond .
Ali Schiller, founder of Accountability Works, closed the panel by speaking on aligned, authentic action. She guided participants in reflecting on sustainable practices that bridge intention with tangible results.
Each talk was followed by small group integration exercises, giving guests a chance to personalize the lessons and carry them into their lives and work.
A Multigenerational Gathering
One highlight of the evening was the presence of younger attendees—passionate students in their twenties who are eager to take part in reshaping the world. Their energy gave others hope. Sophia Madsen, a Santa Barbara City College student passionate about impact business, added, “The panelists were so insightful, and it was really great talking to the table about our shared experiences, feelings, and goals. The whole experience was very meaningful to me, and I’m so grateful. Thank you for such a special day with such great people.”
As Monica reflected, “It was a true joy to welcome these kind, passionate, and hopeful young adults into the space. We’re handing them a challenging world, but they haven’t lost hope. They want to get involved."
Igniting Impact:
Transforming Purpose into Authentic Action
Never underestimate the power of impact.
Part 2: On October 14th in Santa Barbara, something extraordinary unfolded at A Kinder World of Commerce’s seventh Legacy Hour—and by all accounts, it was the most transformative yet. The theme, Igniting Impact: Transforming Purpose into Authentic Action, lived up to its name. There was a shared sense that something meaningful had been set in motion—that purpose, love, and authentic leadership could converge to truly change systems and lives.
“Something was ignited that night,” said Monica, noting a distinct energy in the room.
The sold-out event pulsed with possibility as changemakers, innovators, and thought leaders gathered to explore what it means to turn purpose into action. From the start, there was a spark—conversations brimmed with ideas, eyes lit with inspiration, and a genuine sense of connection filled the air.
Inspiring Speakers Illuminate Systemic Transformation
The evening featured three inspiring speakers—Dr. Stacy Rebich Hespanha, Peter Matthies, and Greg Wendt—expertly guided by moderator Eric Pierce. Each speaker illuminated a distinct facet of systemic transformation. Stacy explored Systems Thinking and Change, sharing a framework based on the work of Donella Meadows that demonstrates the various leverage points for systems change and the three phases that reveal where we are, what comes next, and where we aspire to be, i.e. working within the system, building a better one, and cultivating thinking that demands transformation.
Peter delved into Building Purpose-Driven Cultures, drawing from his decades of global conscious leadership with the Conscious Business Institute, where he’s helped companies like BMW, Starbucks and Intel cultivate more human-centric workplaces. Greg spoke on Reimagining Impact Investing, offering insights into how finance can evolve beyond profit to foster regeneration and resilience for people and the planet.
Eric, founder of Pierce Consulting and Coaching, used his expertise in regenerative design and conscious leadership to provide the perfect foundation for dialogue and reflection and skillfully wove the speaker's themes together, illustrating how regenerative thinking applies not only to business and economics but also to how we live, lead, and connect.
Honoring Humanitarian Leadership: Maggie Doyne
A highlight of the night was the recognition of Maggie Doyne, humanitarian and founder of the BlinkNow Foundation in Nepal. At 19, Maggie used $5,000 of babysitting money to build a children’s home and school for orphans left in the wake of Nepal’s civil war. Today, she continues to expand her vision, serving 100s of children and building a sustainable village for her community. Her story embodied the night’s theme—heart-led action that ignites lasting impact. In a touching moment, attendees learned that her documentary, Between the Mountain & the Sky, had just qualified for an Academy Award!
A Spirit of Generosity and Connection
Generosity has always been a hallmark of these gatherings, but at this event, it felt especially abundant—from unsolicited raffle gifts to complimentary books shared by Faye Cox (Regenerative Economics), Peter Matthies (Plan Be: A Professional's Guide to Authentic Success), and Maggie Doyne (Between the Mountain and the Sky). Kindness and gratitude seemed to ripple through every exchange as several guests reunited with people they hadn’t seen in 15 to 20 years! By night’s end, more attendees stayed for the wine reception and dinner than ever before. Conversations turned to collaboration, friendships deepened, and new ideas began to take root. Attendees didn’t just listen—they engaged in journaling, meditation, small-group dialogues, and large-group sharing that deepened connection and purpose.
“There was no ego in that room,” one attendee reflected. “Just love, gratitude, and a desire to serve.”
This special night wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. A special thanks to Claudia Arnett (Be the Markets), Cyndi Feinberg (Stroll Magazine) and the heart-forward participation of every person present.
A Kinder World Alliance
The educational initiative behind the event, A Kinder World of Commerce, is growing into something even more ambitious, A Kinder World Alliance (AKWA). Its mission is to cultivate regenerative, resilient, and fulfilled leaders equipped to make their greatest contribution without burning themselves out. Through Legacy Hours, collaborative projects, and personal and professional development programs, AKWA is building a movement rooted in authenticity, empathy, and sustainable leadership.
As Monica shared, “These are distressing times, and there’s no collective roadmap for navigating them. What we do have is our authentic way—accessed through solo reflection, one-on-one work with consultants, coaches, and therapists, and in community and other group settings that foster personal and professional growth. That’s how we create the world we want to live in.”
On October 14th in Santa Barbara, a kinder world felt a little closer.
