In 2007 Chip and Shannon Wilson had a vision – that in this lifetime, Ethiopia could emerge as a global leader with education as the primary driver. As we all know, the bolder the vision, the greater the dedication, perseverance, and unrelenting passion it takes to bring it to life. The Wilsons were fortunate to invest in a leader who not only shared their vision, but who was also unafraid of the heavy lifting that it would take to achieve their collective goal of making a difference in the world.
8 years ago, Sapna Dayal joined Imagine1day to help turn an idea into a reality – and where we are today as an organization is a true testament to the impact Sapna has made. From building the organizational framework that serves us all to this day, to attracting and leading a passionate team of people to carry out our mission, to sharing the values of leadership that are serving communities across Ethiopia so critically – Sapna has led with conviction and passion.
Sapna Dayal
While we must always be looking forward, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible legacy that she has created.
imagine1day, under Sapna’s leadership, has evolved from an idea, to the creation of sustainable educational frameworks in communities across Ethiopia. As Sapna steps down from her role, she can proudly reflect upon the creation of 227 partner schools, and 27 schools built from the ground up; the development of more than a thousand school clubs; the provision of more than 45,000 books; and the staggering fact that today, more than 100,000 lives are being transformed an annual basis.
As you can see, our foundation is solid, our team is strong, and our mission is clear – and we are well positioned to move into an exciting new chapter of growth. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the management team, and all of our friends and partners – I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Sapna for her leadership and her tireless dedication that has played such a significant role in where we are today. We wish her the very best.
Scott Elliott
Sapna has inspired me through her vision of strategic, sustained development that empowers others to shape their own future. She possesses the rare ability to cultivate relationships and move projects forward with efficiency and determination. Her leadership skills will most certainly continue to shine in all her future endeavors. I will follow with great anticipation as she moves on to new and exciting opportunities.
Diane Burke, imagine1day donor
Sapna Dayal is the primary reason I chose imagine1day to make my late mother’s dream of building a school a reality after she passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2013. Over the course of our work with her, she became more than a partner – she became a friend. From the moment she and her local team in Ethiopia met us in Addis Ababa, Sapna impressed our group with her organization, consideration, empathy, and warmth. She is a rare spirit, and she left a lasting imprint on our collective memory of what was – thanks to her – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Gabriel Mandel, imagine1day donor