Through our management and consultancy services, Phambili utilizes sport as a vehicle to help our partners drive social impact by employing ingenuity and resourcefulness. Together with our collective, we leverage sport to promote and support a myriad of humanitarian causes such as: socioeconomic equity, gender equity, sustainability, global citizenship, health/wellness, anti-ableism, and many other important causes.
Phambili develops and implements calculated strategies to achieve true impact. We empower individuals and organizations to use their knowledge, platforms, passion, and resources to be changemakers in their communities and beyond. We help our collective deliver programming, resources, and initiatives that adeptly address some of the world's most urgent challenges, as we operate from a worldview perspective to make a grassroots impact.
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Phambili also supports nonprofits who are using sport to serve their communities. Phambili applies its extensive nonprofit expertise to act as an extension of organizations and assist with administrative tasks and special projects.
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We believe in the power of numbers and togetherness. That is why we take a collaborative approach of developing solutions that bring our collective together to increase their effectiveness. We collaborate with a network of partners around the world, who are working to create lasting change. Our collective of partners possess a plethora of experience, perspectives, knowledge, and resources.
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OUR STORY
The name “Phambili” (pronounced Pum∙bee∙lee) derives from the Zimbabwean language, isiNdebele. The word “phambili” translates to “forward” in English. Our objective to motivate our partners to advance their philanthropic agendas and help their communities move forward, ultimately inspired the brand’s name. Phambili’s Founder was born in Zimbabwe, where his worldview and passion for sport developed. IsiNdebele originates from the Ndebele tribe and is the Founder’s native dialect. The cultural context of the brand’s name reinforces the organization’s commitment to functioning with a global mindset and championing global collaboration.
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Phambili Sports Impact is led by Founder, Sean Ndebele. His vision and leadership are the driving force behind the work of the organization. As a longtime social impact and sports administration professional, Sean has diverse experience serving in various roles in men’s and women’s sport.
He has worked in collegiate athletics, professional sports, recreational sports, and the nonprofit space. His experience includes roles with entities in the WNBA, Big Ten, MLS, and the NHL. Sean has helped lead elite organizations in developing and executing a wide range of functions such as: impact strategies, programming, fundraising, community engagement and public relations, and non-profit management.
Sean is a fervent proponent of the influence of sport and has a demonstrated history of intersecting sport and impact to support social development around the world.
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LEADERSHIP
VALUES
Phambili’s values are a direct reflection of the organization’s culture and beliefs. Our values are ingrained in our mission and serve as guiding principles in everything we do. Our four core values are benevolence, collaboration, cultivation, and prolificacy.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Phambili is committed to instituting sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices that are based on our mission and values. Diversity, equity, and inclusion and sustainability are central to the organization’s success in engaging all partners, businesses, and communities in making a positive impact on society.
Phambili’s commitments include:
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Challenging systemic barriers
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Attracting, nurturing, and retaining diverse partners
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Ensuring business partners and vendors are diverse
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Providing equal opportunities and making reasonable accommodations
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Engaging in sustainable and environmentally conscious practices