Meaningful impact does not happen overnight. Supporting children, building partnerships, and organizing charitable initiatives takes time, patience, and consistency. Long-term vision is essential for real change to take place.
In today’s competitive business landscape, the race for profits often takes center stage. However, there are some leaders who also prioritize a mission-driven purpose. They use their business to make a positive social impact and recognize that success isn’t only about making money. In this interview series, we are talking with some of these distinct leaders and I had the pleasure of interviewing Lena Mouzaia.
Lena Mouzaia is a graphic designer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with over 13 years of experience in visual communication and campaign design. Her work bridges creativity and strategy across corporate, cultural, and nonprofit projects. She is passionate about using design to amplify purpose-driven initiatives and create meaningful connections through visual storytelling.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in Paris in 1993 and raised in the suburbs surrounding the city. Creativity was always present in my childhood. I spent countless hours drawing animals and characters, cutting them out, and turning them into small worlds of my own. At around 14, I discovered Photoshop, and it completely changed the way I saw creativity. I was fascinated by the idea that creation could be limitless — that you could experiment, make mistakes, and start over without consequence. I became so absorbed in it that I often neglected my schoolwork, much to my parents’ frustration. Still, I knew very early that graphic design was what I wanted to do. At the time, my dream was to work for a music label and design album covers. Music has always been a constant in my life. I learned to play the guitar as a child, and music continues to inspire and accompany me in my everyday life and creative work. I began my professional career as a graphic designer in my early twenties. While I was — and still am — deeply passionate about my work, I quickly felt the need to do something more meaningful with my skills. I wanted to help others in a concrete way. As an introverted person, I realized that I could contribute through what I know best: using my design skills to support a human cause. The well-being of children, in particular, has always deeply resonated with me. Children cannot rely on themselves, and I strongly believe it is our responsibility as adults to protect their physical and mental well-being. They represent the future, and supporting them gives my work a deeper sense of purpose.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of the most meaningful experiences for me since becoming involved in a purpose-driven organization has been witnessing the dedication of my fellow volunteers at Fondation Manassé. What inspires me the most is seeing how committed and passionate they remain, even while balancing demanding professional careers alongside their volunteer work. They do truly remarkable work, and I don’t think people always realize the amount of time, energy, and emotional investment this kind of commitment requires. Their dedication constantly motivates me. Together, we do everything we can to improve the daily lives of the orphaned children supported by the foundation. Seeing the tangible impact of this collective effort — knowing that our work helps create a better and more stable environment for these children — is incredibly rewarding and meaningful to me.
We often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share one that you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned?
I don’t always think of learning in terms of major “mistakes,” because growth, for me, has been a continuous process. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over time is how important communication truly is — learning how to better express my ideas, share my perspective, and, most importantly, listen to others. As a creative professional, it’s easy to become attached to your own vision. Over the years, I’ve learned that setting ego aside is essential in order to grow and improve. Being open to feedback and constructive criticism has not only made me a better designer, but also a better collaborator. Embracing this mindset has helped me create stronger work and build more meaningful professional relationships, both in creative teams and in purpose-driven projects.
As a successful leader, it’s clear that you uphold strong core values. I’m curious what are the most important principles you firmly stand by and refuse to compromise on. Can you share a few of them and explain why they hold such significance for you in your work and life?
One of the core principles I firmly stand by is communication. It may sound simple, but I truly believe it is fundamental. Being able to clearly express your thoughts, share ideas openly, and remain receptive to others is essential in both creative work and leadership. Another value that guides everything I do is staying focused on the purpose behind the work. For me, that purpose is concrete impact — improving the lives of children in a meaningful and tangible way. These values shape how I collaborate with others, how I make decisions, and how I approach every project. They remind me that good work is not only about results, but also about intention, responsibility, and human connection.
What inspired you to start a purpose-driven business rather than a traditional for-profit enterprise? Can you share a personal story or experience that led you to prioritize social impact in your business?
I had always felt drawn to humanitarian work, but for a long time I was hesitant to take that step. I was aware that corruption can exist within some organizations, and I didn’t want to be associated with work that lacked transparency or integrity. In 2019, after speaking with my colleague and friend Roberta Bedi — who was already a volunteer with Fondation Manassé — I decided to get involved. I trusted her judgment, and when the foundation urgently needed a graphic designer to redesign their website, I offered my skills and support. When I met the small team of women who run the foundation, I was immediately inspired by their commitment and values. I deeply respect the fact that 100% of the donations go directly to the children — whether for food, supplies, improvements to the orphanage, or the purchase of agricultural land to help the orphanage become self-sufficient. This concrete and transparent impact is what continues to motivate me and makes me proud to contribute my work to the foundation.
Can you help articulate a few of the benefits of leading a purpose-driven business rather than a standard “plain vanilla” business?
Leading a purpose-driven business or professional activity brings a depth of meaning that goes beyond traditional measures of success. When your work is guided by purpose, motivation comes from knowing that what you do has a real and positive impact on others, not just from achieving a financial outcome. Another important benefit is the way it shapes relationships and decision-making. Working with purpose encourages stronger communication, greater empathy, and a higher level of responsibility. Decisions are no longer based solely on efficiency or profitability, but on alignment with values and long-term impact. For me, purpose-driven work creates a sense of consistency between who I am and what I do. It allows my skills to contribute to something meaningful and tangible, and that alignment is what makes the work sustainable, fulfilling, and deeply motivating over time.
How has your company’s mission or purpose affected its overall success? Can you explain the methods or metrics you use to evaluate the impact of this purpose-driven strategy on your organization?
As I mentioned earlier, communication plays a central role in how our mission translates into impact. For the foundation, success begins with the ability to clearly share who we are, what we do, and why we do it. We actively talk about the foundation and its mission through different channels, whether with the press, media outlets, public figures, or institutional representatives, in order to reach as many people as possible. Taking the time to explain our purpose in a transparent and human way allows people to truly understand the cause and connect with it emotionally. Our goal is simple but meaningful: to help children forget their hardships and provide them with a safer, more stable environment. While we don’t measure success through traditional financial metrics, we evaluate impact through visibility, engagement, and the quality of the relationships we build. The passion and authenticity shared by everyone involved in the foundation are, I believe, what makes people receptive to our message and willing to support our work.
Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized that leading your purpose-driven company was actually making a significant impact? Can you share a specific example or story that deeply resonated with you personally?
One of the most meaningful moments for me was when we learned that one of the girls supported by the foundation was accepted into university last year. Today, we are incredibly proud of her achievement.When many of the children first arrived at the orphanage, most of them could not read or write. Seeing one of them reach higher education represents much more than academic success — it is a powerful victory over a life that has not been easy. Their resilience and strength are deeply inspiring. Moments like this make the impact of our work very real and remind me why purpose-driven commitment truly matters.
Have you ever faced a situation where your commitment to your purpose and creating a positive social impact clashed with the profitability in your business? Have you ever been challenged by anyone on your team or have to make a tough decision that had a significant impact on finances? If so, how did you address and reconcile this conflict?
As a nonprofit organization, our work is entirely supported by donations, which means the orphanage and the children depend directly on the generosity of others. Because of this reality, we are constantly aware of the balance between sustaining our mission financially and staying true to our purpose. Rather than compromising our values, we address this challenge by actively creating opportunities to engage and mobilize support. We regularly organize charitable initiatives such as toy and book donation drives, as well as conferences for International Women’s Day in Paris, where public figures share their personal journeys and explain why the foundation resonates with them. More recently, the children were invited to visit the Hilton Hotel in Kinshasa through a partnership with Hilton Hotels. They were able to discover different careers in the hospitality industry, and it was an extraordinary moment for them. Experiences like this remind us that investing in meaningful opportunities — even when they require time and resources — can have a lasting impact and help children imagine new possibilities for their future.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who wish to start a purpose-driven business?
My advice would be not to be afraid to try. Trust what you believe in and allow yourself to take that first step, even if the path is not completely clear. Enjoying what you do is essential. Loving your work and feeling genuinely connected to it makes a real difference, because without passion, long-term results are difficult to sustain. I truly believe that when intention and enthusiasm are genuine, positivity tends to create more positivity. Purpose-driven work grows strongest when it is guided by both conviction and joy.
What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Purpose-Driven Business.” If you can, please share a story or example for each.
1 . Clear communication:
A purpose-driven business can only succeed if its mission is clearly understood. Taking the time to explain who you are, what you do, and why you do it allows people to genuinely connect with the cause. At Fondation Manassé, communication has been essential in building trust and visibility for our mission.
2 . Integrity and transparency:
Trust is the foundation of any purpose-driven initiative. Knowing that donations are used responsibly and directly for the people they are meant to help creates credibility and long-term support. Transparency is what allows a mission to grow sustainably.
3 . Passion and commitment:
Purpose-driven work requires genuine passion. The volunteers I work with balance demanding professional lives while remaining deeply committed to helping children. Their dedication is what keeps the mission alive and impactful.
4 . Consistency and long-term vision:
Meaningful impact does not happen overnight. Supporting children, building partnerships, and organizing charitable initiatives takes time, patience, and consistency. Long-term vision is essential for real change to take place.
5 . Human connection and empathy:
At its core, purpose-driven work is about people. Witnessing moments like a child entering university or discovering new career possibilities reminds me that empathy and human connection are what give this work its true meaning.
I’m interested in how you instill a strong sense of connection with your team. How do you nurture a culture where everyone feels connected to your mission? Could you share an example or story that showcases how your purpose has positively influenced or motivated people on your team to contribute?
A strong sense of connection within the team comes from clearly seeing the impact of our work. Moments when we learn about the children’s progress are what truly unite and motivate us. They remind us that what we do matters beyond our individual roles. Before joining the orphanage supported by Fondation Manassé, many of these children were living on the streets and had no stability or support. Knowing that, through our collective efforts, we have been able to significantly improve their living conditions gives our work a deeper meaning. Seeing the children grow, thrive, and regain a sense of safety and hope fills us with joy and reinforces our commitment. This shared purpose creates a natural bond within the team and gives us the strength to continue, even when the work is demanding.
Imagine we’re sitting down together two years from now, looking back at your company’s last 24 months. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress?
Two years from now, one of the accomplishments that would make me especially proud would be the realization of a documentary project centered on the orphanage. Our hope is to welcome journalists who can meet the children and the volunteers, and truly understand the reality of their daily lives. While I can’t share many details yet, as this is an ongoing project, we are very excited about what it represents. This initiative has the potential to amplify our message, raise awareness, and reach a wider audience. For me, success would mean knowing that our story is being shared in an honest and respectful way, allowing more people to connect with the cause and support the future of the children we serve.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could inspire a movement, it would be one that encourages people to use their own skills — no matter how big or small — to support others in a meaningful way. Not everyone needs to be on the front lines or lead an organization. Sometimes, simply offering what you already know how to do can create real change. I believe deeply in responsibility and empathy, especially when it comes to protecting children, who cannot rely on themselves. If more people felt empowered to contribute through their own talents, whether creative, professional, or practical, the collective impact could be immense. A movement built on awareness, accountability, and human connection could help shift the focus from individual success toward shared responsibility — and that, to me, is where lasting positive change begins.
How can our readers further follow your work or your company online?
Readers can learn more about the foundation’s work and follow our ongoing initiatives through our website: https://www.fondationmanasse.org/. The site shares information about our mission, current projects, and ways to support and engage with our work.
This was great. Thanks for taking time for us to learn more about you and your business. We wish you continued success!
Thank you very much for this opportunity. This was my very first interview, and I was truly grateful to be able to share my passion, my values, and the work I care deeply about.
Purpose Before Profit: Lena Mouzaia On The Benefits Of Running A Purpose-Driven Business was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.