A Purpose That Serves Generations….
Many purpose-driven leaders feel called to build something that matters, work that reflects who they are and what they believe they are here to do. Yet even with a clear mission and tireless effort, they often lack the trusted, values-aligned support to bring it to life or grow its impact.
The Ikigai Partnership exists to bridge that gap. Through trust, humility, and hands-on collaboration, we help these leaders, whom we call Yayas, honor that calling, turn purpose into action, and build the capacity to sustain both themselves and their work. Because helping people do the work they feel meant to do can create meaningful change for people, places, and future generations.
The Lived Values of a Yaya
These values are not theoretical. They are not words on a website. They are values forged through lived experience, through challenge, uncertainty, growth, and the everyday decisions that reveal what a person truly stands for.
A Yaya is defined not by perfection, but by alignment–the ongoing effort to close the gap between what they believe, how they behave, and the impact they leave behind.
The values that guide a Yaya include courage, kindness, integrity, equanimity, humility, curiosity, stewardship, authenticity, intuition, joy, and a win-win mindset.
What matters is how these values show up in practice. A Yaya chooses purpose over convenience. The Yaya can disagree without becoming disagreeable and listens before they react. The Yaya is willing to be different when integrity requires it and can hold competing truths while still moving forward.
“We are drawn to people who are trying to live in alignment, who care deeply, who want to contribute, and who are willing to do the inner and outer work required to make a meaningful difference.”
Lynne Filderman | Director of Knowledge Management & Impact
The Ikigai Partnership
The Lived Values of a Yaya
Not defined by perfection. Defined by alignment.
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There are Yayas that have lived their values for decades.
Among us are already Good Human Guides like Caroline, Phil and Miren. Yayas who have lived the Values Embodied Framework through their everyday actions. Their work creates positive change, with ripple effects throughout the community. We honor their contributions and commitment.
Caroline Lewis
Helping people find their voice
An educator and founder of The CLEO Institute, Caroline helps people understand climate change and find the confidence to act. Her work connects learning with leadership, empowering communities to shape their future.
Phil Stoddard
Bringing science into service
A biologist and former South Miami mayor, Phil has brought scientific understanding into public service, championing solar energy and climate action. His work shows how knowledge becomes meaningful when we put it to use for our communities.
Miren Oca
Building a business that shares its success
Founder of Ocaquatics Swim School, Miren has built a business around water safety, care for people, and environmental responsibility. Its transition to employee ownership makes shared success a tangible part of the company she created.
4 Pillars of The Ikigai Partnership
Meaningful progress happens when clear direction, useful knowledge, the right resources, and trusted relationships come together. The Ikigai Partnership connects these through four mutually reinforcing pillars: Advisory, Insights, Finance, and Engagement.
Each can stand on its own and each strengthens the others: a clearer strategy reveals the resources you need; a well-developed insight helps a potential partner understand your opportunity; a trusted introduction opens a conversation that moves your work forward. We draw on these connections around your circumstances, meeting you where you are and adapting as your needs evolve. Together, they help turn your purpose into practical action, build your capacity to sustain progress, and extend the impact of your work.
HOW WE HELP YAYAS-
Drawing on deep expertise, a Principal dynamically shifts roles to meet the specific needs of mission-driven leaders, applying the right approach to turn complexity into clarity and action, while building the systems, confidence, and momentum needed to bring their dreams to life.
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Ikigai Insights transforms complexity into clarity by distilling research, lived experience, and emerging trends into practical, human-centered understanding. We don’t just inform—we help leaders see what matters, why it matters, and what to do next.
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Ikigai Finance aligns capital with purpose—connecting resources to people and ideas that create meaningful, measurable change. Whether supporting nonprofits or entrepreneurs, we provide the right financial pathways, partnerships and expertise to help our clients thrive and transform the world.
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Ikigai Engagement transforms intention into movement by bringing values-aligned leaders together to work, connect, and build in real time. Through curated gatherings and shared experiences, Ikigai helps create the conditions for trust to form, ideas to take shape, and meaningful progress to accelerate while recognizing that this work is hard, and that being in community can restore energy, reduce isolation, and bring moments of real joy.
NOT YOUR TYPICAL ADVISORY FIRMWe stay close enough to see the patterns.
Our advisors start with the person: tell us what’s going on.
As we work alongside you, we come to understand your ambitions, the pressures you carry, and the decisions that brought you here. Each conversation builds on the last, helping us connect the dots, notice recurring patterns, and recognize what deserves attention. Over time, that creates something valuable: a shared story, remembered and built upon.
Meet The Team
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Andy Chabassol
Founder | Executive Director
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Sarah Straka
Program Management, Yayas
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Natalie Rivas
Director of Ecosystem Engagement
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Stephen Wechsler
Director of Client Success
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Lynne Filderman
Director of Knowledge Management & Impact
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Lucas Ryan
Fractional CIO
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Jocelyn Mahone
Director of Partnerships & Community Capital
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"Sarah brings passion, perseverance and dedication to everything she takes on. She continually looks for ways to improve, follows through when the work gets difficult, and keeps others' best interests at the heart of every decision. The path I met her on was far from conventional, but she knew what she wanted and I have not seen her stray from that despite many obstacles.”
Ben Kirtman
Dean
Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science
"Having known and worked with Natalie for many years, I’ve always admired her genuine passion for people, community, and the environment. She brings an open mind, a thoughtful approach, and a deep commitment to mindfulness in everything she does. She is an exceptional listener who welcomes different perspectives and uses them to strengthen her work. She has a wonderful ability to bring people together, find common ground, and create the kind of harmony that helps good ideas move forward. Her care for her community is her guiding principle, shaping how she listens, connects, and leads."
Olivia Collins
COO
Ocean First Institute
”Stephen is a valued member of our Board of Directors. Charming and people-oriented, he makes everyone in the room feel great just by being there. He’s incredibly dependable, there whenever and wherever we ask, and a calm, steady presence in difficult situations. He’s open-minded, a creative problem solver, and asks questions that make us think harder. He brings great energy to everything he touches and is always looking to make introductions that help others. Fun fact: as a natural connector, he has introduced three couples who went on to marry, along with many long-term friendships built on shared interests.”
Dave Doebler
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Dara Schoenwald
Co-Founder & Board President
VolunteerCleanup.org
"I have had the privilege of working with Lynne in multiple capacities over several years. She has served as a trusted advisor to me and my organization, and I have also had the opportunity to work under her leadership as a Host for several major events she produced. Experiencing Lynne's work from both perspectives has given me a unique appreciation for her exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and remarkable ability to inspire those around her."
Jessica Ryan
CEO
All Together Now
Board of Directors
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Jane Gilbert
Chief Heat Ambassador
Atlantic Council's Climate Resilience Center
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Hector Mujica
Angel Investor & Former Head of Americas Philanthropy
Google.org
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Giselle Commissiong P.Eng, MBA
FOUNDER & CEO, MOSAÏKO PARTNERS
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Olivia Collins
COO
Ocean First Institute
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Nicole Salzberg
Climate Action & Events Officer
Volo Foundation
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Robert Werthamer
Chair
AIA Miami Resiliency and Adaptation Committee
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Greg Taffet
Chief Information Officer
Ceres Environmental Services, Inc.
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Krishan Thakker Esq. (LLB/JD)
Consulting Product Counsel Google/YouTube Shopping
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Build the dream with someone who cares right by your side.
It starts with you accepting the invitation…
Join The Community
We borrow the future from generations to come. What we do today creates ripples we may never see. Let’s be good ancestors, leaving cairns that help others find their way and build on what we’ve learned.
We’re just getting started and we’re looking for volunteers, event organizers, partners, donors, and influential leaders to join our community and be a part of the movement to do things better.