Meet Thi Dao, a friend, ally and Purppl’s newest Board Member – and a powerful advocate for social impact.
As a leader at Future of Good, Thi is shaping a smarter, more impactful social purpose world. Her mission is to “weave together powerful storytelling, transformative learning experiences, and cultivate meaningful, trust-based relationships.” She and her team work tirelessly to elevate critical perspectives often missing from mainstream conversations, connecting voices across sectors—from grassroots organizations to policy leaders. “We’re not just responding to surface-level problems but driving forward systemic solutions that can reshape the future of social impact in Canada and beyond,” she explains.
Thi works remotely from Kelowna, B.C., on the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. Her dedication to social change began early, inspired by her cousin, Tuan Nguyen, an influential force in Ottawa’s charitable landscape. Reflecting on his impact, she says, “He pushed beyond the status quo…fueling my passion for social impact since I was a young child.”
Looking to the future, Thi’s vision for her legacy is deeply rooted in community and connection. “I want my legacy to be rooted in trust-based relationships that drive social impact,” she shares. “I hope to demonstrate that lasting impact stems from love, understanding, and empathy.”
When asked how she measures impact, Thi values the human element over pure data. For her, hope on hard days comes from knowing that “we’re not alone…we have the same goals, and it’s less isolating when we’re surrounded by impact-focused people.”
“Measuring impact begins with putting people at the center of our efforts. The true measure of success lies in the stories and emotions of the individuals and communities we serve.”
Stay tuned to learn more about Purppl’s Purposeful People series, celebrating the unique voices committed to building a just, regenerative economy.
This is the latest in our “Purposeful People” series, which highlights the remarkable humans within Purppl’s extended community – clients, alumni, Entrepreneurs In Residence, staff, program partners, and funders. Through these stories, we honour their commitment to social change and aim to inspire others to join the movement towards a just, regenerative economy.
