Deep dive on executive director Kimberly Haley-Coleman's keynote about Soft Power versus Hard Power

Kimberly has been speaking to various groups about the deep, enduring impact of soft power, vs hard power, something every one of us has the power to use. We fed her comments into an AI generator to see how it would sum up her thoughts, and they did a pretty darn good job! Use this as a little inspiration on how you can use thoughtful human engagement to enact lasting, positive change.

AAO Member Finds Innovative Approach to International Humanitarian Work

• Source: American Association of Orthodontists

September 4, 2024

As a second-generation orthodontist, Dr. Drew Lombardi had an orthodontic practice in Fort Lee and Jersey City, New Jersey for 40 years until his transition to retirement in October 2023. Considering how to spend his time in retirement, Dr. Lombardi was eager to use his professional knowledge to give back to people in need.

“When I was in practice, as a way to serve the community I performed dental screenings in local schools and participated in the AAO Donated Orthodontic Services program (now Gifted Smiles),” says Dr. Lombardi. “As a retiree, I liked the idea of doing humanitarian work in other countries – but the issue you encounter is that organizations with overseas programs want general dentistry services and long-term commitments, because that is what people in very poor regions need.

“It was difficult to find something fitting my skill set, or welcoming to an orthodontist,” adds Dr. Lombardi. “I didn’t wish to personally do the restorative work myself on these young children, not having done it in 40 years.”

After contacting a few non-profit service organizations, he connected with Globe Aware, which focuses on international volunteerism for individuals and groups such as health professionals, construction workers, educators and business experts.

Globe Aware volunteers bring a variety of skills to places where they are needed. The organization arranges volunteer experiences, for one week or longer, in countries such as Peru, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Romania. Working with Globe Aware, Dr. Lombardi developed a plan to help children using his knowledge of dentistry.

“I went to Cuzco, a large city in Peru, and the starting point to reach Machu Picchu, which gave us access to rural areas of Peru where many residents lack awareness and resources for oral health,” he says. “Globe Aware’s local coordinator served as my interpreter with knowledge of both Spanish and the native Incan (indigenous) language spoken in the rural communities. Globe Aware hired a driver and we traveled to villages located up to two hours away.”

As Dr. Lombardi had expected, in conducting dental screenings at schools he found many children with severe dental problems, including rampant caries, abscesses and need for extractions. Living conditions usually included a lack of running water in homes and a cultural preference for beverages such as sweetened tea and soda, in the students’ water bottles that they brought to school. Many adults were unaware how these choices impacted children’s dental health.

Starting the Process of Improved Oral Health in Rural Villages
“Through Globe Aware, I networked with dentists in nearby towns and arranged to pay for the needed services for those I identified as having the most severe dental needs,” says Dr. Lombardi. “It does take time to gain trust from everyone you meet in these communities. When we would ask to have children brought to school on a Saturday morning for transportation to a dentist, not all of the kids showed up. When we followed up to ask why, responses included that some of the parents could not take off work, or that the kids had to take the sheep to the mountains.”

Oral health presentations that Dr. Lombardi offered at schools with the help of his interpreter included distribution of toothbrushes and toothpastes. He found the students enthusiastic and receptive to his information and the dental care products. Many students did not own toothbrushes.

“Before the school presentations, Globe Aware’s coordinator, Rocio, took me to a Walmart-like store where I purchased cases of toothbrushes and toothpaste to give away,” says Dr. Lombardi. “It turned out that these gifts were helpful in convincing many boy students to be examined.

“It will require regular effort over a long period to get the rural communities committed to both oral hygiene and visiting dentists,” adds Dr. Lombardi. “I found it very rewarding to start the process of educating people in the villages and educating the school principals and teachers. For the teachers, I brought thank-you gifts of popular U.S. magazines, which they enjoyed.”

Following his introduction to international humanitarian work in Peru, Dr. Lombardi spent two weeks in the Galapagos Islands. That portion of his trip included volunteer work in sea turtle conservation, also through Globe Aware.

Dr. Lombardi suggests that the approach he used for humanitarian work could work well for retired orthodontists as well as those in practice who are interested in spending a vacation doing humanitarian work.

“It was very exciting to me to find a way to use my knowledge of dentistry to help young people in a very poor region,” says Dr. Lombardi. “I really appreciated Globe Aware’s help, organization and flexibility that made this possible.

“The main reason I wish to share this, in addition to helping Globe Aware gain exposure, is to inform other AAO members that we DO have skills to share internationally,” adds Dr. Lombardi. “Our years of experience in dentistry, and ability to screen and examine patients quickly, permits us an opportunity to take that on the road internationally – and without doing dental procedures that we haven’t done in 40 years!”

Dr. Lombardi points out that the need for help is massive. Many young children in numerous countries have great need, no access to dental care, and no knowledge of the impact of lack of oral hygiene, especially when combined with heavy sugar intake.

“For AAO members, there are enormous rewards from doing this work,” he says. “Just going and teaching dental hygiene, warning of the negative effects of all those sugars, and their direct cause of dental pain leading to a lifetime of future trouble, is a wonderful and rewarding experience. By helping me partner with local dentists, Globe Aware helped me bring much needed assistance to this problem. By paying for the local dentists to do the work, I helped start a ‘dental home’ for the children with the greatest needs. And while I did this work alone, some might consider including staff or family desiring international service experience.”

Kimberly Haley-Coleman's circuitous journey from the world of finance and museums, to founding Globe Aware

• Source: Southern Methodist University

Follow along on this reporter's account of Kimberly Haley-Coleman's circuitous journey from the world of finance and museums, to founding Globe Aware, an organization facilitating one-week volunteer vacations in 21 countries, catering to individuals with demanding work schedules. Her initiative emphasizes mutual learning, community involvement, and sustainable progress, transcending traditional volunteerism narratives. Additionally, she launched an innovative affordable luxury concept, The Tickle Bar, during the pandemic, aiming to spread joy and create jobs. Through her ventures, Haley-Coleman embodies a fusion of business acumen and compassionate engagement, fostering a global community invested in sustainable change and meaningful connections.

By Kathryn Orr, SMU Journalism Undergraduate
Southern Methodist University's "The Daily Campus"

Kimberly Haley-Coleman is an entrepreneur redefining the contours of philanthropy, transcending conventional business paradigms to foster impactful global change.

A graduate of Emory University, she embarked on a journey through the realms of finance, working for various organizations such as CNBC.com and developing the stock prediction tool Dcipher. Haley-Coleman defined her work as fulfilling and found that her constant travel liberated her from a desk-bound routine.

However, Haley Coleman's childhood was also filled with perpetual travel, encouraging her wanderlust, and thus, by the time she began traveling for work, she found a need to engage in cities beyond the tourist attractions. Haley-Coleman approached non-governmental organizations abroad on her days off but found getting involved with short-term volunteerism challenging. NGOs needed her help, but with the time it takes to train someone, they needed her to be able to stay long-term.

Haley-Coleman, however, began taking matters into her own hands and organizing her own service opportunities. Instead of going through NGOs, Haley-Coleman would go directly to schools, people's homes, and corporations and ask them what they needed, if anything could be done, and how they wanted it done. After a few trips, she began to realize the level of demand these communities had for her help. In addition, each time she returned home, she found a high level of interest with her peers in what she was doing and would have several people ask to join her on her next trip. 

After witnessing the overwhelming interest from others to join her cause, she began to reflect on the life of an individual who works a typical nine-to-five. She expressed difficulty fathoming a life without travel or physical engagement. These contemplations drew the realization that there is a widespread desire for greater life experiences and that many countries need assistance, prompting Haley-Coleman to carve out a new path. 

She explains that starting her own business scared her, but the idea of people being bound to a cubical devoid of physical connections scared her more.

“Clearly, if you've got a mortgage, children, or a job, you just can't be away that long. And while things have been changing for many years in the United States, five or ten days of paid vacation has been a typical top-out. And that's the genesis of how this all came about, to begin with.” Said Haley-Coleman

Thus, with the yearning for impactful travel experiences in 2001, Globe Aware was co-founded. The paradigm-shifting organization curates one-week volunteer vacations across 21 counties.

This novel venture caters to individuals entrenched in demanding work schedules, offering them a gateway to contribute to communication worldwide. The ethos of Globe Aware revolves around fostering meaningful engagements devoid of the stereotypical volunteerism narrative. Its initiatives aim not for fleeting gestures but for sustainable, meaningful engagements.

Probably the best week of my life. We helped renovate a worn-down school for young kids. We added gardens and a driveway, painted it, re-did the roof, and made it more current. To be able to travel and volunteer with all my friends from my company was something I’ll never forget,” said Nori Schiller, volunteer in the 2022 Mérida, Mexico Volunteer Vacation.

The organization stands apart in its approach, advocating mutual learning and collaboration through the patronizing lens associated with volunteerism. Haley-Coleman emphasizes community involvement, ensuring locals lead initiatives and define their needs for sustainable progress.

In addition, Globe Aware offers financial assistance to the community during volunteer vacations. However, Haley-Coleman finds that the most benefit comes from the involvement between the community and the volunteers. The bond forged provides a unique insight into the local culture, providing an experience beyond the reach of ordinary tourists.

“…there are no heroes on our end…. Voluntourism has rightly been criticized for having a white savior complex where people are taking pictures of poor people and pretending to be Angelina Jolie. Well, here, that doesn't happen.” Said Haley-Coleman

During her time in Cambodia, helping assemble wheelchairs for children impacted by landmines, Haley-Coleman experienced a profound emotional connection to the impact of Globe Adware’s work. She vividly recalls the immense appreciation from her parents, understanding that the gift was more than a wheelchair but a gift of mobility and sustainability. It was the realization that the volunteers also have care and concern for their child's well-being.

“I mean, in many ways, this kind of service is incredibly selfish because of what it does for you,” said Haley-Coleman.

With over 20 years of volunteer vacations, Globe Aware came to a halt amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown. However, Haley-Coleman remained persistent in creating positive change. Her entrepreneurial spirit surged forth in creating The Tickle Bar, a venture born from the desire to spread joy and create jobs in her hometown of Dallas, TX, in a beneficial way that would help people get back on their feet.

Haley-Coleman articulates that, even with the evident lockdown conditions, she longed for the physical sensations of massages and nail salons, especially the nostalgic, childlike sensation of back tickles. Thus, in a time of isolation, she was resolute in reintroducing the community back to Dallas.

Originally, Haley-Coleman aimed to manage The Tickle Bar until resuming full-time work with Globe Aware during post-pandemic travels. Yet surpassing its initial expectations, The Tickle Bar flourished far beyond the pandemic’s scope. Haley-Coleman noted even after tripling the prices, the demand continued to soar.

Globe Aware and The Tickle Bar testify to Haley-Coleman's business acumen and dedication to community impact. Through these ventures, she demonstrated a keen ability to create sustainable models that benefit local and global communities.

“Working with Kimberly is nothing short of amazing. She and Globe Aware do an excellent job of making you feel at home in a place far away.” Said two-time Globe Aware Volunteer Kate Underwood.

Kimberly Haley-Coleman's transition from finance to founding Globe Aware epitomizes an entrepreneurial journey underscored by a profound commitment to impactful change. Her venturers exemplify a fusion of business acumen and compassionate engagement, forgiving a global community to invest in sustainable change and meaningful connections.

Leading Ethical Voluntourism for Decades, Kimberly Haley-Coleman Paves the Way for Meaningful Global Service

• Source: CEO Weekly

Nelly Chavez
March 9, 2023
CEO Weekly

Once upon a time, if you wanted to lend a hand abroad, options were limited. Lengthy commitments like the Peace Corps asked for more than a casual stint overseas, and shorter programs usually targeted the summer schedules of students or missions aligned with church activities. But what about the rest of us, the everyday folks itching to make a difference in a brief but substantial way? Enter Kimberly Haley-Coleman, the visionary behind Globe Aware, who has been transforming voluntourism with week-long service trips that beckon to those hungry for purposeful travel without the need for any special skills.

Now, what’s the secret sauce behind these expeditions that have expanded to 26 countries and feature in major media organizations? It’s about inclusivity and impact. Imagine being part of a group that installs concrete floors for single mothers in Guatemala or assembles wheelchairs for landmine victims in Cambodia. Corporations are catching on, recognizing not only the positive PR but also the boost in employee morale as they help build classrooms or homes—acts of service that double as a non-taxable benefit.

These journeys aren’t just about hammering nails or mixing cement; they’re gateways to a profound change in perspective. Kimberly Haley-Coleman sums it up best. “These experiences are absolutely transformative and make you see humanity in a new light.”

Picture yourself stepping into a new culture not just as a visitor, but as a participant. Globe Aware cradles this vision, offering organized yet flexible itineraries. A volunteer vacation here means about 35 hours of collaborative work, coupled with 3-4 optional cultural or leisure activities to deepen your connection to the locale you’re serving in. And they’ve thought of everything—safe drinking water, medical insurance, a bilingual coordinator, and all the necessary project materials and supervision. Hey presto, you’re ready to dive in without fret or fuss.

This isn’t your average travel gig. It’s an adventure with a soul, sanctioned by Globe Aware’s status as a nonprofit with no religious or political affiliations. It welcomes solo travelers, families, corporate groups—anyone with a pulse and a passion for global camaraderie.

Photo Courtesy: Monica Stevens
The transformative nature of these trips percolates through each participant. Busy professionals find a respite filled with gratitude, gaining a deeper reverence not only for what they have at home but also for the real wealth that pulsates within a foreign culture—the human connections formed and the shared smiles that need no translation.

Ready to be a globe trotter with a cause? You can connect with Kimberly and Globe Aware on platforms like LinkedIn or float in a sea of inspirations by tapping into their social media presences on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. For the auditory learner, Kimberly’s insights come alive on podcasts, readily streaming on Spotify.

Photo Courtesy: Monica Stevens
Voluntourism under Globe Aware’s wing is more than a mere feel-good phenomenon—it’s a tightly knit fabric of service and cultural exchange that tugs at the core of what it means to be human. It’s an opportunity to embrace a world where your vacation leaves a footprint, not of carbon, but of compassion and constructive change.

So, as the sun sets on the traditional ways of lending a hand abroad, and with Kimberly Haley-Coleman’s Globe Aware as your beacon, the door is wide open to redefine what it means to travel with intent. Your next holiday could be one where joy isn’t just discovered but delivered by your own hands. Isn’t it time to pack your bags with purpose?