630. From One Wish to a Movement: Disney & Make-A-Wish’s 45-Year Journey (Tajiana Ancora-Brow n and Jamie Sandys)
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Overview
Meet Jamie & Tajiana. 🤝
What happens when Disney and Make-A-Wish team up? Pure magic. For 45 years, this powerhouse partnership has granted over 150,000 wishes—bringing joy, healing, and unforgettable moments to kids and families when they need it most. Enter Tajiana Ancora-Brown from Disney and Jamie Sandys from Make-A-Wish: two hearts leading with purpose and proof that dreams really can change lives.
In this episode, we're talking about the wish that can’t be prescribed, the impact of 9,000 families visiting Walt Disney World each year, and how collaboration rooted in heart creates ripple effects of hope. From Bigfoot sightings to custom princess gowns, this conversation will make you laugh, tear up, and believe even deeper in the power of doing good—together.
You don’t want to miss this one. ✨
Learn:
Why mission alignment and trust unlock transformational collaboration
How Make-A-Wish measures impact beyond numbers and into healing
Why personalized wishes create powerful moments of joy and dignity
How purpose-driven partnerships thrive on trust, respect, and shared values
Why a single wish can spark lifelong generosity and collective hope
Today’s Guests:
Jamie Sandys | Senior Manager, Brand Communications and PR at Make-A-Wish® America
Tajiana “Taji” Ancora-Brown | Director of External Affairs, Disney.
“There is an inherent desire to have a positive impact on others. ”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
Personal Journeys into Philanthropy (03:29)
Memorable Wish Stories (07:48)
Creating Unique Experiences for Wish Kids (10:57)
The Evolution of Historic Partnership (15:16)
Once Upon a Wish Party: A Celebration of Dreams (19:32)
The Secret Sauce of Collaboration (25:03)
Jamie and Tajiana’s One Good Thing (32:25)
Powerful Quotes
“We want to create a good business environment whre we can have that safe dialogue.” - Tajiana Ancora-Brown
“It’s continuing to continue to improve ont he long term storytelling and building a community that endures long beyond the wish itself.”- Jamie Sandy's
“There’s no one right way of doing something.”- Tajiana Ancora-Brown
“For every one wish that we are granting, there are two that we are not.”- Jamie Sandy’s
“We have about 9,000 wish families at Walt Disney World throughout the year.”- Tajiana Ancora-Brown
"It's important for us to get feedback when something isn't working for the nonprofit."- Tajiana Ancora-Brown
"We heal the body, but the wish heals the soul." - Jamie Sandys
"We're granting a wish every 33 minutes, on average." - Jamie Sandys
Resources Mentioned:
Connect through: wish.org/disney
Connect with Jamie
Connect with Tajiana
Connect with Jon
Connect with Becky
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