668. Merge to Multiply: How a Purposeful Sunset Expanded Community Impact - Desiree Lyons, Namaste Direct + Kate Flatley, Women's Justice Initiative
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Overview
Sunsetting isn’t failure—it’s leadership.
In this episode, Becky sits down with Desiree Lyons, CEO of Namaste Direct, and Kate Flatley, Executive Director of the Women’s Justice Initiative, for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to put community at the center—even when it means changing or ending your own model. Together, they share how Namaste Direct made the difficult decision to sunset with integrity and why transitioning its economic empowerment program to WJI became a powerful unlock for greater, more sustainable impact for women in Guatemala.
This conversation challenges the idea that success in the nonprofit sector is always about scale and growth—and offers a practical look at how merging, evolving, and ending well can be an act of responsibility, courage, and mission-first leadership.
“We really envision a world where women and girls live a life free from violence.”
Episode Transcript
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Episode Highlights
Kate’s Path to Guatemala and Law (02:04)
Women’s Justice Initiative Mission and Impact (03:06)
Namaste Direct’s Mission and Challenges (05:29)
Turning Point: Rethinking Microfinance and Debt (09:36)
Sunsetting and Succession: Strategic Decisions at Namaste (15:21)
Reaching Out: Collaboration and Merger with WJI (20:55)
Advice for Nonprofits: Mergers, Sunsets, and Impact (26:16)
One Good Thing: Final Thoughts and Reflections (31:58)
How to Connect and Closing Remarks (33:19)
Powerful Quotes
"Sunsetting is certainly not failure. It is responsibility. It's integrity, it's mission over ego." - Desiree Lyon
"There is such a huge correlation between women's economic empowerment and gender-based violence." - Desiree Lyon
"We really envision a world where women and girls live a life free from violence." - Kate Flatley
"We saw the importance of incorporating economic empowerment into our work." - Kate Flatley
"We have a community-driven approach which focuses on increasing women's agency, their legal literacy and their access to justice." - Kate Flatley
"When you're living in poverty and very much in survival mode, there is so little space to reflect on what your dreams are as a woman." - Desiree Lyon
"It was so disheartening because these were women who were working so hard and really just getting trapped in these cycles." - Desiree Lyon
"The first step is really to get back to the mission and what will be best for the community." - Desiree Lyon
"Through saving circles, women develop strong, sustainable networks of support." - Kate Flatley
"These transitions take time, and they require real investment." - Kate Flatley
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