Episode 01: Transforming Big Ideas into Real World Impact with Pink Trumpet’s Founder, Hawwa Muhammad
This episode features Hawwa Muhammad, founder and CEO of Pink Trumpet, a mission-driven consultancy that helps nonprofits and entrepreneurs bring impactful ideas to life. Hawwa shares insights from her journey in the social impact and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sectors, discussing the importance of building sustainable systems, navigating resistance, and staying grounded amidst challenges. She emphasizes the role of structure in promoting empathy and kindness within organizations and reflects on personal growth, kindness, and honoring her immigrant roots. Hawwa’s dream project involves showcasing global philanthropy to demystify social impact. She leaves the audience with three takeaways: how to operationalize kindness, don’t let embarrassment stop you, and remember that doing good can be simple.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - Hawwa walks us through her decade long journey in becoming the person who she wants to be
08:10 - The origin story of Pink Trumpet and what it represents
10:00 - What are the most pressing issues her clients are coming to see her for
13:15 - How consumer demand is driving CSR
14:30 - How she encourages clients take her recommendations to look at the long-term sustainable solutions
19:00 - Why systems thinking is essential in her consulting work
21:00 - How she handles pushback from clients on her recommendations
24:55 - How she stays grounded, find structure and clarity when faced with the messiness of life
27:35 - Why having a center of peace is critical in her work
29:35 - What peace looks like in the context of her work with Pink Trumpet through human-centered design
35:00 - She shares her dream project and plans for future expansion
37:00 - Her thoughts on how humanity has shifted over the years
39:35 - Hard lessons learned that change the way she works and lives
44:20 - What motivates her to keep doing the work she’s doing
46:20 - She shares her main three (3) takeaways she wants people to know
48:50 - What’s next for her
50:10 - Closing reflection
Concepts and frameworks featured:
Systems thinking
Human centered-design
About the expert:
Hawwa Muhammad is the founder of Pink Trumpet, a consultancy that helps mission-driven organizations turn ideas into action. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she brings a project management lens to social impact work by designing systems, streamlining operations, and improving how services are delivered in disinvested communities.
Her work is grounded in collaboration, equity, and human-centered design. Hawwa uses her skills in project management, performance measurement, and communications to help organizations build stronger programs and advocate for lasting change.
She holds a Master of Public Administration and a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and is based in Newark, NJ.
