How Loss Turned Me Into a Leader | Yamani Yansa Hernandez
Rooted, Radical, and Real: Leading Movements for Justice with Yamani Yansa What if the call to lead wasn’t a choice, but a responsibility you couldn’t turn away from? In this powerful episode of Human Side Up, Natasha Nuytten sits down with Yamani Yansa—activist, strategist, and Executive Director of Groundswell Fund—for an unfiltered conversation about movement leadership, collective care, and creating lasting change in the face of systemic inequities. From grassroots organizing to shaping national philanthropic priorities, Yamani’s work is anchored in a deep commitment to reproductive justice, racial equity, and building power for communities too often left out of decision-making. Their leadership journey has been one of standing firm in values, navigating resistance, and holding space for both grief and joy in the work of liberation. Together, Natasha and Yamani explore what it means to center the most impacted voices, why leadership rooted in community is essential for real transformation, and how sustaining movements requires as much focus on care as it does on strategy. This episode is for anyone ready to reimagine leadership as a shared, justice-driven practice. Highlights & Takeaways 💡 Why grassroots movements are the heartbeat of social change 💡 How to lead without centering ego or personal power 💡 The role of philanthropy in fueling—not steering—movements 💡 What it means to practice collective care in high-stakes work 💡 How to navigate the tension between urgency and sustainability Learn more about Yamani Yansa: 🔗 Groundswell Fund 🔗 LinkedIn Human Side Up What happens when we stop ticking boxes and start driving real change? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up flips the script on diversity, equity, and inclusion by uncovering the real, raw stories behind the headlines. This podcast isn’t about corporate checklists—it’s about the leaders, changemakers, and innovators rethinking workplace culture and championing transformation. From breakthrough strategies to bold decisions, we explore what it truly takes to build workplaces and communities where everyone belongs. Connect with Natasha: 🔗 LinkedIn 🎧 Listen on Spotify 📺 YouTube Connect with CLARA: 🔗 LinkedIn 🌐 Website 📺 YouTube
Test
