In honor of Atma Connect’s 5-year anniversary, we are highlighting our inspiring community including employees, supporters and board members.
Meet Lisa Diaz Nash, seasoned business and nonprofit leader. She has advised Atma Connect since 2016. Currently serving as board chair, Lisa envisions a world where neighbors help neighbors build resilient, empowered communities. We asked her 5 questions, plus a bonus question.
Q: What Atma accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I am most proud that Atma does not just “talk the talk” but also “walks the walk.” Our progress is measured in lives saved, livelihoods improved and people empowered. The most important thing that Atma has done is to give people the tools, platform and training they need to repair their communities, prevent preventable disasters and realize opportunities to create better lives for everyone.
Q: Why do you believe in Atma’s vision?
A: I believe in Atma’s vision because it is inspired by the people it serves. What we do, how we enhance our products, where we expand…all this is driven by what our customers – our users, our community members – say they need to solve their problems and improve their lives. Atma’s vision stays and grows because we listen to the needs of our users and do our best to meet and exceed those needs.
Q: What inspires you about Atma’s approach?
A: Everyone talks about changing the world and putting power in the hands of people to improve their lives. Atma unlocks the power that already is in people by helping them connect and create the lives and communities they want.
Q: What are your goals for Atma Connect? What would you like to accomplish in the next year?
A: We have proven the “concept” of Atma, i.e. the power of our platform to unlock the power of individuals, no matter who they are, to improve their community by working together toward common goals of good. Now we need to “supercharge” that capability, across Indonesia and Puerto Rico and across the globe. Local communities anywhere want to find the power to connect, educate each other and join together for change. I want Atma to enable more communities in more countries to solve basic problems and take charge of their futures.
Q: Why are you excited to be an Atma leader?
A: I have seen Atma grow from an idea to a small pilot to a platform that people use to create the change they want to see in their worlds. The reason Atma has grown to 7 million people is because it unlocks the power already in people. Atma connects people behind a common goal and helps them accomplish it. That isn’t “Power to the people.” That is “Power OF the people.”
Q: What has been your favorite moment from working with Atma Connect?
A: I am humbled by the stories of people, time and again, who have used AtmaGo to connect with their communities to overcome disasters, rebuild their lives and create opportunities they didn’t have before. Being witness to the tragedy, hope, determination and joy that people find by working together, supported by Atma, is to see the human condition in total. I am very optimistic about what we can do, as long as we do it together.