AboutKavanah Institute

Kavanah means "intention" in Hebrew. We are dedicated to helping individuals and communities discover their greatest purpose through intentional, meaningful action.

Our Story

Founded on the belief that every person has a unique purpose waiting to be discovered, Kavanah Institute emerged from a simple yet profound realization: when we act with intention and direction, small steps can create meaningful, lasting change.

We’re building a community of purpose-driven individuals and organizations, starting with pilot programs and strategic partnerships. Our early work focuses on listening, learning, and iterating with care.

In this early chapter, our priority is to design high-quality programs, learn alongside participants, and scale responsibly—always guided by clear goals and a public roadmap.

2,500+
People we aim to support
15+
Community partnerships
50+
Partner organizations
2025–26
Roadmap horizon

Our Core Values

These principles guide everything we do and shape how we approach our mission of helping others discover their greatest purpose.

Intentionality

Every action we take is purposeful and aligned with our deeper values and mission.

Community

We believe in the power of connection and collective action to create lasting change.

Compassion

We approach every interaction with empathy, understanding, and genuine care.

Growth

We embrace continuous learning and transformation as essential to purposeful living.

Leadership Team

Meet the passionate individuals who guide our mission and vision forward.

Sarah Chen

Founder & Executive Director

Sarah's vision for intentional living sparked the creation of Kavanah Institute. With 15 years in nonprofit leadership, she guides our strategic direction.

Marcus Rodriguez

Program Director

Marcus oversees our educational programs and community initiatives, bringing a decade of experience in transformational education.

Dr. Amara Okafor

Research & Development

Dr. Okafor leads our research initiatives, studying the impact of purposeful living on individual and community wellbeing.

Public Roadmap

Our near‑term focus for 2025–26. We prioritize learning, quality, and responsible growth. Updated quarterly as we progress.

Phase 1 • Q4 2025

Foundations

  • • Pilot Purpose Discovery cohort
  • • Partnership outreach (education & community)
  • • Scholarship fund design
Phase 2 • Q1–Q2 2026

Scaling With Care

  • • Expand pilot programs (2–3 cohorts)
  • • Community partnership activations
  • • Publish program learnings
Phase 3 • Q3–Q4 2026

Broader Access

  • • Scholarships for program access
  • • Ambassador/on-campus initiatives
  • • Roadmap refresh for 2027

Ready to Join Our Mission?

Discover how you can be part of a community dedicated to intentional, purposeful living.

Get Involved Today