Mind & Life Institute
After 30 years of seeding the modern mindfulness movement in the West — driven by the vision of its founders His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a Chilean neuroscientist and an American businessman — the Mind & Life Institute asked a big question...now what?
Sector
Contemplative Science
Services
Mission & Vision
Comms Strategy
Values
Brand Positioning
Theory Of Change
Audience Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
People-Centered Strategic Insights
Team Culture & Alignment
Tools & Practices
Collaborators
Studio DAD
Emily Jensen
Envisioning a storied leader’s next horizon
We began answering that question with a collaborative visioning process that built upon MLI’s profound legacy to imagine what they could contribute in this moment — and well into the future.
A new mission statement and theory of change sharpened MLI’s pathway toward impact – integrating social change into their rigorous academic research and contemplative wisdom practices. Revised values illuminated a way forward grounded in curiosity, compassion and justice.
Tapping the brilliance of a cross-sector team
The people who make up Mind & Life’s staff, board and extended network hail from diverse disciplines and backgrounds—from scientists to nurses, filmmakers to social justice leaders. Perennial brought them together each step of the way to co-design a strategy that reflects their collective vision.
We facilitated an ongoing creative process that enabled internal leaders to move the work forward, engage with external stakeholders and course-correct as needed.
Letting the world know
We created a communications plan for rolling out the new strategic vision on a strong foundation of purpose-driven strategy and people-powered insights. We also bolstered MLI’s comms team in delivering it — including shepherding new brand materials in partnership with the incredible creative team of Studio DAD.
Results
With a new mission statement, theory of change and sharpened values, MLI saw a 353% YOY increase in individual donors in the first year of implementing their evolved strategy, as they used their updated mission to lean into personal well-being and resilience, compassionate communities and human-earth connection — the antidotes to today’s challenges of mental health, social justice and climate change.
