Welcome to Strat Labs’ Changemaker Spotlight Series! This blog series is dedicated to showcasing the inspiring journeys of remarkable individuals who have transformed their passions into purposeful endeavors, leaving a significant impact on the world around them every single day. Join us as we delve into the heart of innovation and commitment, celebrating the extraordinary stories of those who are not just dreaming of a better future but actively shaping it in their journey as a Changemaker.

Kristen Olson, a seasoned business consultant and founder of Connecting with Impact, has built her career on people-first solutions and authentic collaboration. With experience spanning HR strategy, employee engagement, and community building, she brings empathy and clarity to every role. In this spotlight, Kristen shares the experiences that shaped her leadership and the vision driving her work today.

1. What inspired you to become a Changemaker, and how has that purpose evolved over time?

My journey as a changemaker is rooted in personal responsibility, service, and a deep belief in the power of community. As the primary caregiver for my developmentally disabled brother, I have learned firsthand the importance of advocacy, empathy, and resilience. That experience shaped my commitment to creating systems that support people, not just in theory, but in practice.

Before stepping into the business consulting world, I spent 15 years as an educator. Teaching taught me how to listen deeply, lead with intention, and build environments where people feel seen and valued. That foundation continues to guide my work today.

What inspires me most is the opportunity to bridge the gap between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. I believe strong communities are built when businesses and mission-driven organizations collaborate, not compete. Through my work and through Connecting with Impact, I strive to create spaces where leaders from all sectors can come together, share resources, and build lasting relationships that drive meaningful change.

Over time, my purpose has evolved from serving individuals to empowering systems. Whether I am supporting a local nonprofit, advising a growing business, or mentoring a new leader, I am driven by the same core belief: that change happens when we show up with heart, humility, and a willingness to work together.

2. What is a challenge you have faced in your journey, and how did it shape the way you lead today?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced was changing careers after 15 years in the classroom. I loved teaching, but when I stepped away, I struggled with identity, wondering if the skills I had built could apply to anything else. That uncertainty was compounded by my personal battle with mental health and the daily balancing act of being a wife, mom, and primary caregiver to my developmentally disabled brother.

Navigating those responsibilities while entering a male-dominated industry pushed me to redefine what leadership looks like. I have learned that leading is not about having all the answers, it is about showing up with authenticity, resilience, and a willingness to grow. My background in education taught me how to listen, adapt, and build trust. My caregiving role taught me patience, advocacy, and the power of compassion. And my experience in business has taught me how to use those strengths to drive impact.

Today, I lead with empathy and intention. I create space for others to bring their whole selves to the table, and I advocate for inclusive, community-centered solutions, whether I am consulting with clients, building networks through Connecting with Impact, or supporting local nonprofits. The challenges I have faced have shaped me into a leader who values connection over competition and purpose over position.

3. What does impact mean to you, and how do you measure it in your work?

To me, impact means creating meaningful, lasting change, especially in the lives of people who are often overlooked or underserved. It is not just about outcomes; it is about intention, connection, and the ripple effect of showing up with purpose.

I measure impact by the relationships I build, the opportunities I help create, and the systems I help improve. Whether I am supporting a local nonprofit, guiding a business through change, or simply being present for my family, I ask: Did I help someone feel seen? Did I make something more accessible, more inclusive, or more sustainable?

My work is deeply personal. As a caregiver, educator, and consultant, I have learned that impact is not always loud, it is often quiet, consistent, and rooted in empathy. Founding Connecting with Impact was one way to formalize that belief: to bring people together across sectors and create space for collaboration that drives real change.

I also measure impact by how well I balance my roles, as a wife, mom, caregiver, and professional. If I can lead with integrity in all those spaces, then I know I am living my values and making a difference where it matters most.

4. Who has had a major influence on your leadership style or social impact work?

One of the most influential people in shaping my leadership style was my grandfather. He was a salesman for Miller Brothers, an LTL trucking company that eventually closed in the 90s. But what stayed with me was not the job, it was how he showed up in the world.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, and their home was a hub of warmth and generosity. There was always someone stopping by for coffee, and every stray dog or cat in the area knew they would find a meal and a safe place there. My grandpa was known for his cheerfulness, singing through the grocery store aisles, and his humor, often playing lighthearted pranks on friends and neighbors. But more than anything, he was known for how he showed up for people. Whether it was helping someone with a flat tire or offering a listening ear, he made people feel seen and valued.

He also modeled professionalism and a strong work ethic, balancing kindness with integrity. At his Celebration of Life, the room was packed with people, some who had only met him once but were impacted by his presence. That is the kind of legacy I hope to build, one rooted in connection, service, and joy.

His example reminds me that leadership is not about titles or recognition, it is about how you treat people, how you show up, and the small, consistent ways you make life better for others.

5. What advice would you give to someone just beginning their changemaking journey?

Your sphere of influence may feel small at first, and that is okay. Do not think of yourself as just one of a million. Think of yourself as one in a million, because the small but consistent ways you show up for the people around you matter more than you know.

Changemaking is not always loud or public. Sometimes it is the quiet moments, listening, supporting, advocating, that create the deepest impact. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that your presence and purpose are enough. The ripple effect of showing up with heart, integrity, and intention is powerful.

Lead with empathy. Stay curious. And remember: you do not have to change the whole world to be a changemaker, you just have to change someone’s world.

6. Your work with Connecting with Impact focuses on community. What is a story or moment that reminds you why this work matters?

The people who are drawn to Connecting with Impact are those who lead with purpose in their fields. When you bring these individuals together and create space for meaningful conversations, there is an energy in the room that is truly powerful. It is not just networking, it is connection with intention.

This group is still in its early stages, but I have already heard stories of great connections made, new collaborations formed, and local nonprofits receiving support they had not before. And yet, I know the real impact of this work may be something I never fully see, and that is where the magic lies.

When I left the classroom after 15 years of teaching, my students gifted me a painting of a tree. Its leaves were made from their fingerprints, and beneath it was the Greek proverb: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” That message has stayed with me and continues to guide my work.

Connecting with Impact is my way of planting those trees, creating a space where people can grow, support one another, and build something bigger than themselves. The shade may come later, but the roots are already taking hold.

7. In the current landscape, how is your mission adapting or leading change?

In today’s landscape, I have noticed a growing disconnect in how we build relationships, especially in business. Many networking groups and professional spaces have become transactional, focused more on what people can get than what they can give. But I believe people are craving something deeper: connection rooted in integrity, shared values, and a genuine commitment to service.

That belief is what inspired me to create Connecting with Impact. It is a space where professionals come together not just to exchange business cards, but to build meaningful relationships that lead to real change. The people drawn to this group are purpose-driven leaders, and when they gather, there is a powerful energy in the room. We have already seen new collaborations form and local nonprofits receive support, but I know the true impact may unfold quietly, over time.

My mission is adapting by leaning into this need for authenticity. I am focused on creating environments where people feel safe to show up as themselves, where service is prioritized over self-interest, and where business becomes a tool for building stronger communities. In a world that often values speed and scale, I am choosing depth and intention, and that is how I believe real change begins.

8. You recently launched this program. What impact are you hoping it will have and how can the community support it?

My mission is adapting by leaning into the need for authenticity. I’m focused on creating environments where people feel safe to show up as themselves, where service takes priority over self-interest, and where business is used as a tool to build stronger communities. In a world that often values speed and scale, I’m choosing depth and intention, because that’s where I believe real change begins.

9. What is something people often misunderstand about the community or issue you serve, and what would you want them to better understand?

One of the biggest misconceptions I have encountered is the idea that relationship-building, community engagement, or purpose-driven work somehow detracts from business success. In reality, the opposite is true. Building meaningful connections, within a company and beyond it, is not just good for morale; it is good for business.

People want to work with, buy from, and support organizations that lead with integrity and care. When we prioritize authentic relationships, we create trust, loyalty, and collaboration, all of which drive long-term success. Through Connecting with Impact, I have seen how bringing purpose-driven professionals together sparks innovation, opens doors, and strengthens both individual careers and organizational outcomes.

In a world that often rewards speed and scale, I am advocating for depth and intention. Because when we lead with values, we do not just grow businesses, we grow communities. And that is the kind of success that lasts.

10. As a leader in Colorado’s for-profit and nonprofit space, what gives you hope for the future of your community?

What gives me hope for the future of my community is the growing number of successful business owners who attribute their company’s success not just to strategy or product, but to culture. In my work, I regularly interact with leaders who understand that how you treat people, how you build relationships, and how you show up in service to others directly impacts the bottom line.

There is a shift happening. More and more, I see businesses embracing values like empathy, integrity, and collaboration, not just as buzzwords, but as guiding principles. These leaders are investing in their teams, supporting local nonprofits, and building companies that reflect the kind of world they want to live in.

It is a reminder that business can be a powerful force for good. When culture becomes the foundation, success becomes sustainable. And when leaders prioritize people, communities thrive. That is what gives me hope, and it is why I believe the work we are doing through Connecting with Impact is so important. We are helping build a future where business and community grow together.

To get involved in Connecting with Impact, visit their Eventbrite page.

If you are interested in connecting with Kristen Olson to learn more about her Changemaker journey, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.