Too many leaders are exhausted, reactive, and stuck chasing short-term wins—while the world around them grows more complex, divided, and uncertain.

In this episode of In Pursuit of Purpose, Chase Friedman sits down with Hamse Warfa for a deeply human and strategic conversation on what transformational leadership really requires in this moment. From growing up as a refugee fleeing civil war, to becoming a U.S. State Department advisor, fintech co-founder, and CEO of a national education nonprofit, Hamse’s journey reframes leadership as responsibility—not position.

Together, they unpack why purpose is most needed in moments of crisis, how profit and impact can (and must) coexist, and what leaders must unlearn to create organizations that are resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. This is a conversation about belief, systems change, and why the shift from hero to guide may be the most important leadership evolution of our time.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Why purpose is a leadership discipline, not a branding exercise
2. How transformational leadership drives ROI, resilience, and trust
3. Why profit and purpose are not opposing forces—but multipliers
4. What leaders must change to prepare for a future we can’t fully predict
5. How identity, empathy, and community become strategic advantages

Key Insights & Timecodes:

03:30 — Purpose Is Shaped by Lived Experience

07:20 — Profit and Purpose Are Not Binary Choices

12:30 — Leadership Must Embrace Complexity, Not Avoid It

24:20 — Everything Rises or Falls on Leadership

30:40 — Purpose Is Proven in Crisis

Guest Bio:

Hamse Warfa is a transformational leader, author, and systems thinker focused on equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. Born in Somalia and raised as a refugee, he has served as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of State, Minnesota’s Deputy Commissioner for Economic Development, and is currently the CEO of World Savvy, a national education nonprofit. He is also the co-founder of Banku, a blockchain-powered fintech platform expanding economic access for historically excluded communities.

Connect with In Pursuit of Purpose:

Website → https://vanquishmediagroup.com

Listen on → Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music

Resources & Mentions:

1. Hamse Warfa’s website & newsletter → https://hamsewarfa.com