We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kristi Porter. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kristi, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
For the past three years, I have traveled full-time . . . through pet sitting. I can work from anywhere, so one day, I thought, “Why am I not doing that?” I’ve been a part of a pet sitting network for a number of years and have used it for vacations and stay-cations, and had been curious about doing it full-time. So, I decided to jump in and it’s been a fantastic decision.
I’ve been to 48 US states, eight Canadian provinces, and Germany through it—with more international travel planned for 2026. And the pets have been very entertaining companions, even showing up on many Zoom calls.
I love to travel but am also a bit of a workaholic, so this has been way to do both. I don’t know how long I’ll keep it up, but I’m grateful I made the leap and don’t regret it one bit.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Signify (me!) partners with life-changing nonprofits and social impact companies as their Fractional Chief Impact Officer, helping them clarify, measure, and communicate the difference they make so they can grow their impact without needing a full-time executive hire. Essentially, I help organizations DO GOOD EVEN BETTER.
## Who I Am
I’m a writer, marketer, and impact strategist who has spent my career in communications, working with everyone from small nonprofits and social enterprises to larger organizations that care deeply about people and the planet. Over the years, I’ve become especially passionate about helping overwhelmed, under-resourced leaders move from survival mode to strategic, sustainable growth.
## What Signify Does
Through Signify, I serve as a Fractional Chief Impact Officer, providing high-level strategy, structure, and support around messaging, marketing, and impact so purpose-driven organizations can amplify their mission and results. That can look like clarifying brand messages, aligning communications with mission, mapping impact goals, and strengthening external storytelling across websites, campaigns, and donor or customer touch points.
## What Makes This Work Unique
Signify is designed specifically for nonprofits and social impact businesses that have big vision but limited capacity, giving them expert guidance in a flexible, project-based or fractional model they can actually afford. By blending deep marketing and communications experience with a focus on social and environmental good, the work centers on turning meaningful missions into clear strategies, compelling stories, and measurable, real-world change.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I’d say it is still a limiting belief I’m trying to overcome, but I’ve always had a difficult time with math and numbers, and always told myself I was bad at it. As someone who’s always had more command over communication, I’ve always said I was a word person, not a numbers person.
But over the past year, I’ve really had a desire to learn about impact investing and retirement, and that has pushed me in a good way. I’ve also taken courses, read books, and sought out mentors that had styles I could learn from and it’s beginning to click. I feel like it’s been a real transformation for me, and I’m looking forward to continuing this learning journey.
As someone who has really tried to make a positive impact in all areas of my life, better understanding how to use investments and long-term saving to also support the causes I care about has added a whole new layer to my life and work, and made me think in new ways. It’s a little overwhelming, but also really exciting.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I’ve had chronic health issues for over 13 years. Every day I feel it to some degree.
It’s been frustrating on many levels, but I have to say that one of the most frustrating aspects has been that I feel like it’s held me back from what I can accomplish. It felt like failure for a long time, and honestly still does at times. But it’s also taught me to slow down and take care of myself.
And I think partially because I did feel so “held back” for so long, that was one of the reasons why I decided to travel full-time and take my work with me. It’s been a wonderful adventure and something I’m not sure I would’ve done otherwise.
Slowing down and taking care of myself are definitely hard habits for me to learn, and probably needed to be forced on me. But they’ve helped me learn a lot about myself and what I want. And I can’t believe I’ve had the privilege of traveling full-time for the past three years. These are all gifts that came out of difficult circumstances, and I know I’m better and more empathetic because of them.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I first learned of the anti-trafficking movement in 2006—and my world changed in an instant. I still remember sitting at a conference listening to the speaker talk about it. I could not believe my ears when I heard that people were still living as slaves.
I have always been very independent, and I value that in myself, so I can’t imagine that people live without basic freedoms. It shook me.
I started learning more about the issue and those committed to solving it. And I “officially” joined the cause in 2008 when I started volunteering and attending more events around the topic. That continues to this day.
I would call myself an abolitionist, and still seek out projects that allow me to work on, and advance, that issue. That will always be the case, and I remain committed until we see modern slavery become a thing of the past.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Being a perfectionist is something my business coach and I talk about a lot. It’s both one of my strengths and one of my weaknesses. I always want to give my best, for both myself and my clients, and can’t bear “putting my name” on something that I’m not proud of.
I won’t pretend that I don’t enjoy praise for doing a good job, but additionally, I’m my toughest critic. My work has to pass my test before it passes anyone else’s.
And though I hope that continues to be so, I hope that I will also learn to give myself a break every now and again. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.signify.solutions
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kporter9876/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kporter9876/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SignifySolutions
- Other: I also co-host the Logistics With Purpose® podcast with one of my clients: www.logisticswithpurpose.co
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