Building Connections and Social Impact with Cluster: Empowering Change through Digital Platforms

Phillip Lanos Podcast

In this episode, Celona, the founder of Cluster, shares the story behind creating a platform dedicated to enabling millennials and Gen Z to drive positive change. Cluster makes volunteerism accessible and fun, connecting people with causes they care about and using digital footprints to inspire social impact. Facing early funding challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other setbacks, Celona remained committed to the platform’s mission. He emphasizes the importance of a strong company vision, supportive team culture, work-life balance, and empowering employees to innovate. Throughout the conversation, listeners are encouraged to embrace kindness, consider long-term social benefits, and foster connections that lead to meaningful community impact.

Key Points:

• Platform’s Mission & Vision: Cluster is designed to empower younger generations to create, share, and scale social causes, making volunteer work easily accessible and impactful.

• Human Connections in Digital Spaces: Emphasizes building authentic communities online, fostering understanding, and translating digital engagement into real-life positive actions.

• Overcoming Challenges: Despite funding hurdles and the pandemic, Celona stayed true to Cluster’s mission, showing resilience and determination.

• Company Culture & Leadership: Encourages open communication, valuing employee input, and promoting a balanced work environment that prioritizes well-being over overwork.

• User-Centric Development: Stresses listening to user feedback to refine features, enhance user experience, and ensure the platform remains aligned with community needs.

• Scaling Social Impact: Aspires to tackle critical issues like food insecurity and racism by bringing people together and turning volunteerism into a recognized, rewarding pursuit.

Kindness & Personal Growth: Encourages listeners to slow down, be kinder, and stay open-minded, inspiring everyone to take small steps that collectively drive positive social change.