ABOUT ILLUSTRA IMPACT
We take a systems-level and human-centered approach to innovation. Our mission is to solve social, cultural, and environmental issues by inspiring leaders and collaborating with local communities to create bold change. Illustra Impact sees our clients as partners in achieving that mission.
Since systems change takes time, we prioritize building trusting relationships and delivering high value services so that we can be with our clients for the long-haul. Considering the unique and evolving needs of our clients, we engage our large network of impact-minded associates to customize our teams and make warm hand-offs.
OUR CORE VALUES
LOCALLY ROOTED, GLOBALLY MINDED
We actively celebrate and support the unique characteristics of our local communities while acting with awareness and intention towards our global community. We are interconnected.
BE A JEDI
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion requires us to not act for personal power or wealth but to seek collective wisdom and enlightenment. Jedis do not act from hatred, anger, fear, or aggression, but instead with love and justice at the forefront.
EMBRACE COLLECTIVE WISDOM
True wisdom comes from understanding and honoring diverse perspectives, especially the lived experience of individuals and communities directly impacted.
TRUST BEFORE TRIUMPH
Build trust with impacted communities, within your organization and include all stakeholders. Build long term relationships in order to create sustainable change.
GO UPSTREAM
Meaningful solutions require root cause thinking. We go beyond the symptom to find the source of the issue and create transformational, long-lasting change.
CHOOSE COURAGE
If we’re going to change the world, we will have to step out of our comfort zones, try new things, and go against the status quo.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE
PURPOSE AS PRAXIS
The philosopher Aristotle held that there were three basic activities of humans: theoria (thinking), poiesis (making), and praxis (doing).
“Purpose as praxis" essentially means that one's sense of purpose or mission is not just a theoretical or abstract concept, but instead is actively manifested in their practical actions and behavior. It emphasizes the idea that one's purpose or values should be reflected in how they engage with the world and work towards their goals, especially in the context of social or political change.
In essence, Illustra Impact encourages you to not only have a purpose, but to apply your values through daily decisions and actions — ultimately, creating meaningful & long-lasting change.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
EMPOWERED BY CONNECTION
Organizations are microcosms of, and are interconnected with, our communities.
We believe that people with lived experience are core to solving any problem.
Everyone has the power to influence change.
Our combined power is greater than the sum of our parts.
Entrepreneurship is an outlet for passion and creativity, as well as a path to freedom.
OUR METHODS
COLLABORATING TO DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE
We center the most impacted communities to accurately identify challenges.
We involve diverse perspectives to co-create sustainable solutions.
We believe in the wisdom of our clients and stakeholders, providing frameworks and processes to elicit and reflect their expertise.
We build coalitions and foster collective impact to become positive agents of change.
We guide leaders and organizations from charity to justice, driving meaningful impact.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Whitney Buchmann, MBA is a Social Entrepreneur who founded Illustra Impact to support leaders in developing skills, strategies, and systems that foster social impact.
She brings a Global MBA and 14+ years of experience in social sustainability. Whitney has worked with non-profits, national networks, and start-up businesses in healthcare, immigrant and refugee rights, and food/agriculture. Her results include changes to state legislation and contracting, a thriving national health equity program and social enterprise, and racial justice investment recommendations from international stakeholders.
Whitney’s passion for designing a more equitable world started at a young age. After a couple of transformational experiences in Central America in the 2000’s, Whitney spent six formative years as a Community Organizer within PICO National Network (now Faith in Action). Her experiences organizing campaigns alongside residents who were directly impacted by racial, immigrant, and economic injustice set the trajectory for Whitney’s career. With a deep value for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she recently took advantage of remote work to dedicate two years to living in 6 countries and visiting over 80 communities so that she can continue to learn with and experience different cultures. As a result, Whitney now serves on the Board of Directors of Casa Innovation, an incubator for underestimated entrepreneurs across Latin America.
SOME OF THE RESULTS I AM PROUDEST OF INCLUDE:
Passage of state legislation benefiting immigrants;
Changes to state Medicaid transportation contracts;
Launching a consumer voices bureau that operates as a social enterprise;
Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion values into the culture of an organization;
Standing up a collective impact initiative to increase food security; and
Racial justice investment recommendations from the international stakeholders of a community organizing network.