Finding Meaningful Work in a Chaotic World: How to Build a Social Impact Career (with Dolores Rio)

If you’ve ever looked at the state of the world and thought, I want to do something that actually matters, but had no idea where to start, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dolores Rio, a Professional Certified Coach and former humanitarian leader with 23 years in global public health, to break down what it actually looks like to build a meaningful career right now.

Dolores spent over two decades working on the frontlines of global health, helping design and deliver programs that addressed everything from child malnutrition to large-scale public health crises, shaping systems that determine whether people have access to food, care, and basic survival.

Now, she helps women who feel called to something more figure out what that actually looks like and how to move toward it without starting over.

We get into how to tell the difference between reacting to everything going on in the world and feeling a genuine, lasting pull toward impact, what social impact careers actually look like today, and how to move in that direction without starting over.

🔥 What we get into→ how to tell the difference between reacting to the world and a real, consistent pull toward meaningful work

→ why “meaningful work” doesn’t have to mean nonprofits or NGOs and what other paths actually exist

→ how social impact careers are shifting right now and where new opportunities are opening up

→ how to translate your existing skills into impact-focused roles without starting over

→ what hiring managers are actually looking for when you’re coming from a different background

→ why having conversations before applying will save you time, energy, and wrong moves

→ how to think about purpose and pay in a way that actually reflects your quality of life