Some people enter a room and change the energy simply by being fully themselves. For 2026 CultureCon Impact Award recipient Izzie St. John, that impact starts with helping people feel seen.

Dr. Rod Berger sits down with Izzie, Philanthropy Coordinator at the American Cancer Society, to explore how purpose, curiosity, and human connection have shaped her path. Izzie shares how her grandmother taught her the power of making someone feel like they matter, how her work at Hope Lodge transformed a job into a calling, and why bringing light to others sometimes requires understanding the darkness within yourself.

From navigating anxiety and uncertainty to finding purpose beyond a job title, Izzie reminds people-first leaders that impact often lives in the smallest moments. When you know what matters to you and choose how you want to show up, your influence can create a ripple far beyond the room.

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Key Takeaways:

• Purpose matters more than the title you hold.
• Curiosity helps leaders understand what people truly need.
• Making people feel seen can create lasting impact.
• You cannot navigate joy by ignoring the darkness.
• Authentic self-acceptance creates freedom to serve others.