The Smoke Trail: E12: "Embodiment of Love - Making Dignity Moves" with Elizabeth Funk
Season 1, Episode 12
Episode 12: "Embodiment of Love - Making Dignity Moves" with Elizabeth Funk
Guest: Elizabeth Funk – Social entrepreneur, former tech executive (Yahoo, Microsoft), and founder of Dignity Moves, which builds interim housing to end unsheltered homelessness. Her contagious optimism drives systemic change, learn more at dignitymoves.org.
Setting: Recorded at Dignity Moves’ first site, 33 Gough in San Francisco, a vibrant example of hope amidst urban challenges.
Summary
Smoke sits with Elizabeth Funk at 33 Gough, Dignity Moves’ pioneering San Francisco site, to explore her journey from tech to transforming homelessness solutions. Elizabeth, a YPO ally, pivoted from microfinance—proving for-profit models can uplift—to leading Dignity Moves, born from a YPO group’s frustration with ineffective systems. They reveal how unsheltered homelessness, costing $80,000 per person annually, can be solved for less with interim housing, slashing trauma (17% mental illness at homelessness onset doubles in weeks). Elizabeth’s data-driven optimism—backed by successes in Santa Barbara and San Jose—challenges bureaucratic metrics prioritizing permanent housing over immediate shelter. Her “solve it” ethos, rooted in love and pragmatism, creates high-vibration fields that lift residents, like a hubcap artist finding worth via Etsy. This episode embodies love in action, urging listeners to pick a finite problem and act. Explore Dignity Moves at dignitymoves.org.
Learnings
Pick a Finite Problem: Elizabeth’s advice—tackle a solvable issue like unsheltered homelessness—offers a blueprint for impact, achievable through focus and optimism.
Challenge Broken Systems: Use clear-eyed analysis to rethink metrics, as Dignity Moves did, prioritizing interim shelter over costly, slow permanent housing.
Leverage Love’s Field: Create high-consciousness environments (like 33 Gough’s pancake breakfasts) to spark residents’ inner divinity, fostering hope and agency.
Act Without Permission: Elizabeth’s “ask forgiveness, not permission” approach—launching 33 Gough despite opposition—shows bold action shifts paradigms.
Blend Profit and Purpose: Her microfinance success proves for-profit models can scale social good, a lesson for Dignity Moves’ emerging public-private funds.
Universal Truths
Consciousness Drives Impact: High-vibration fields, like Dignity Moves’ love-infused villages, elevate souls, aligning with Smoke’s Hawkins-scale insights.
Systemic Flaws Reflect Thinking: Misaligned incentives (e.g., scoring permanent housing over interim) stem from low-consciousness policies, solvable by higher perspectives.
Every Soul is Divine: Residents’ transformations (e.g., hubcap art) affirm everyone’s innate worth, needing only a spark to shine, per Smoke’s spiritual lens.
Action Trumps Perfection: Solving problems requires doing, not overthinking—Elizabeth’s pragmatic moves echo the universe’s call to flow, not resist.
Examples
33 Gough’s Birth: Elizabeth’s YPO group, sparked by a Zoom gripe session, built San Francisco’s first Dignity Moves site in 2023, housing 90 with $2.2M, defying naysayers.
Santa Barbara’s Win: A 400-bed plan to end county-wide unsheltered homelessness for $15M, with North County nearing functional zero, shows scalable success.
Hubcap Artist’s Rise: A resident’s Etsy breakthrough, painting hubcaps after a teen’s encouragement, reflects how love unlocks self-worth.
Microfinance Pivot: Elizabeth’s $7M for-profit fund, challenging Muhammad Yunus’ nonprofit model, scaled microloans, influencing Deutsche Bank’s $85M fund.
Mayor Lurie’s Shift: Elizabeth’s press conference at 33 Gough with then-candidate Lurie, announcing a nights-off-streets metric, reshaped San Francisco’s approach.
Smoke Trail Threads
Episode 12 builds on Episode 7’s forgiveness (Luke Wallin) with Elizabeth’s compassionate pragmatism, and Episode 8’s presence (Liv Fisch) via her contagious optimism. Ivan Rados’ (Episode 11) no-mind acceptance echoes in her action-over-dogma stance, while Dani Brooks’ (Episode 10) heart-mind coherence aligns with Dignity Moves’ love-driven field. Smoke’s Nepal awakening (Episode 1) and Steve Hershberger’s (Episode 9) stone-dropping resonate in Elizabeth’s systemic breakthroughs, grounded in 33 Gough’s transformative energy.
The Smoke Trail: Episode 12 Q&A with Elizabeth Funk
In Episode 12 of The Smoke Trail, I sit down with Elizabeth Funk, Founder and CEO of DignityMoves, to explore her journey of disrupting homelessness with innovative solutions, grounded in spiritual resilience and enlightened leadership. Recorded in the sacred energy of Sedona, this conversation dives into Elizabeth’s pivotal life moments, her approach to balancing material and spiritual priorities, and the universal truths that guide her mission to restore dignity for the unsheltered. Below, Elizabeth shares her pre-show reflections, offering deeper insights into her path and inviting you to reflect on your own journey. Enjoy the episode, then dive into these responses to uncover more wisdom from a leader redefining impact.
A Pivotal Moment That Shaped What Truly Matters
“Please share a pivotal moment or experience in your life that shaped your understanding of what truly matters. When you realized what truly mattered to you, did it challenge or conflict with how you were living at the time? How did you reconcile that?”
After a multi-year divorce battle involving custody disputes, I gained full legal and physical custody of my children. Previously, I’d shared custody week-on-week, traveling extensively for my impact investing fund in Latin America and India. The day I learned my kids would live with me full-time, everything changed. I vowed to be fully present for them, no exceptions. I stopped traveling, resigned from boards requiring international meetings, and made my children my unequivocal priority. It was almost obsessive—I didn’t travel unless essential or with them. Looking back, as my kids grew more independent, this rigidity softened (my daughter once laughed, urging me to attend a friend’s getaway!), but after fighting so hard to have them with me, nothing mattered more than every possible moment together.
Overcoming Internal Fears and Shadows
“What internal challenges or fears have you faced, and how did overcoming them shape your personal philosophy or leadership style? What’s one shadow or fear that still lingers for you today? How do you confront it, and what does it teach you about yourself?”
My biggest fear is being too caught up in immediate priorities and missing what truly matters, like time with my kids and family. When my mother was ill, I was busy with young children and a hectic life, and I deeply regret not being more present for her. Today, I struggle to call my stepdad, who’s turning 90, as often as I’d like—my schedule gets away from me, and weeks pass. When we do talk, it’s for hours, showing how much it matters to him. This haunts me, knowing I’ll regret not prioritizing these moments when they’re gone. It teaches me to realign my focus, reminding me that presence with loved ones is irreplaceable, even amidst leadership demands.
The Evolution of Spirituality
“How has your understanding of spirituality evolved? How have you integrated this understanding into your life? Have you ever faced skepticism or criticism for incorporating spirituality into your leadership? How did you stay true to yourself in the face of that?”
Growing up in Kansas City, spirituality meant never missing Sunday church, deeply rooted in traditional Christian faith. I taught Bible study and built community through church youth groups. As an adult, I connected with Glide Memorial in San Francisco, which emphasizes love, inclusivity, and universal faith over rigid doctrine. Today, I’m deeply spiritual, believing the universe guides us with intention. I see no coincidences—each “chance” event is a signal to pause and reflect. This perspective shapes my leadership, trusting intuitive signs to guide decisions, even if others question it. Staying true means honoring this belief, knowing the universe aligns my path with purpose.
Balancing Material Success and Spiritual Values
“How do you navigate the tension between pursuing material success and staying aligned with your spiritual or personal values? Was there a time when you felt trapped by the pursuit of material success? What did it take to break free, and what advice would you give others in the same position?”
Material wealth has never driven me—sometimes to a fault. My optimism, rooted in a stable upbringing and early financial success, made me less focused on money. During my divorce, I lost nearly everything, selling my home to cover legal bills and settling for a fraction of what I was owed for peace of mind. Even then, I felt serene, valuing tranquility over wealth. Working at DignityMoves, I fund much of it myself, earning a “negative salary,” but I’m fulfilled by purpose, not envious of others’ luxuries like boats or second homes. My advice? As long as you’re secure enough to avoid destitution, chase what lights your heart, not your wallet.
Enlightened Leadership in Practice
“What does enlightened leadership mean to you, and can you share an example of how you’ve practiced it in your work? Have you ever made a leadership decision that, in hindsight, went against your personal values? What did you learn from that moment?”
Enlightened leadership means trusting people to lead their domains like entrepreneurs, tapping their full potential. I see myself as a board member, not a boss, giving my team autonomy over their areas. At DignityMoves, I empower each person to “own” their piece of the mission, fostering creativity and ownership. This mirrors my belief in human spirit and entrepreneurship. I can’t recall a decision starkly against my values, but I’ve learned that micromanaging stifles potential. Trusting others, even when it feels risky, aligns with my values and drives impact.
Lessons from Adversity
“What is the most significant lesson you’ve learned from a failure or challenging period, and how has it influenced your approach to life and leadership? During your darkest moments, what thought or belief kept you going? If you could speak to yourself in that moment now, what would you say?”
During my divorce, a DUI with my daughter in the car spiraled into a nightmare. Depressed and drinking too much, I faced my ex-husband weaponizing it to take full custody, forcing supervised visits and limiting my travel. I lost my home, freedom, pride, and nearly my children. For a year, he delayed court hearings, but I trusted the universe would restore my kids to me. The lesson? Let go of control. The universe takes a zigzag path to your destination, not a straight line. I’d tell my past self, “Trust the winding road—it’s leading you home.” This shapes my leadership: surrender control, trust the process.
A Supernatural Synchronicity
“Can or will you share an unusual or supernatural experience you’ve never shared publicly before? Or would you elaborate on one you’ve shared?”
The night I told my husband we needed to separate was heartbreaking. At dinner in a Paris park with our kids, my phone rang. Instinctively, I told the nanny in French to take the kids home, sensing something grave. It was my mother, telling me my sister had died by suicide. That gut feeling, guiding me to shield my children, felt like the universe intervening. I’d never shared this publicly—it’s a raw reminder that intuition is a sacred signal, guiding us through life’s darkest moments.
The Most Profound Influence
“Who or what has had the most profound influence on your journey, and how has it shaped your understanding of life and leadership?”
My mother, a single parent, was my greatest influence. She supported my brother and me through her apartment complex business, despite our father’s refusal to help. Her strength, traditional values, and tireless work ethic shaped me. Though I’ve chosen a less conservative path, her voice guides me daily—even in small moments, like choosing an outfit she’d approve. Her resilience taught me to lead with grit and heart, balancing purpose with practicality.
Practices for Inner Peace
“What practices or habits keep you grounded and aligned with your purpose amidst the pressures of leadership? When life feels chaotic, what’s the one non-negotiable practice or belief that brings you back to clarity? Why does it work for you?”
Walking outdoors clears my mind like nothing else. Ideally, I hike in mountains with stunning views, but even a brisk park walk, raising my heart rate and breathing fresh air, resets me. It works because nature strips away noise, reconnecting me to my purpose and clarity, no matter how chaotic life gets.
Mentorship and Guidance
“Who do you turn to for advice or mentorship, and how have they helped you navigate personal and professional growth? Have you ever had to let go of a mentor or influence that no longer aligned with your growth? What did that process teach you about evolving relationships?”
My stepdad, who I call Dad, is my greatest mentor, not in a traditional sense but through his unwavering love. When challenges hit, he reframes them as opportunities, boosting my confidence and reminding me I’m capable. His support helps me navigate setbacks with optimism. I’ve never had to let go of a mentor, but his presence teaches me that evolving relationships thrive on mutual belief and unconditional support.
Wisdom for the Next Generation
“What wisdom or advice would you pass on to the next generation of leaders about integrating life’s deeper lessons with leadership? What’s a decision or action you’re most proud of, and how do you hope it will shape your legacy or impact the lives of others?”
Early in my microfinance work, I saw that investment capital could scale organizations, lowering interest rates and helping more people. Despite a Nobel laureate dismissing this as unethical, I trusted my heart and launched the Dignity Fund, proving impact and profit can align. My advice to leaders: trust your values, even against “experts.” I’m proudest of DignityMoves, scaling solutions to end unsheltered homelessness. I hope my legacy inspires leaders to blend purpose with pragmatism, creating systemic change.
Bonus Reflections: Evil, Intuition, and Failure
“Comment or share your understanding on ‘evil,’ ‘intuition,’ or ‘failure.’”
Evil: Evil is harming others purely for harm’s sake, with no gain. My ex-husband’s actions, like suing my daughter to force her into boarding school just to hurt me, fit this. It taught me to protect my peace against destructive forces.
Intuition: My leadership blends intuition and logic. I trust my gut after a long walk, making small, reversible decisions rather than big bets. Intuition is the universe’s whisper, guiding when logic alone isn’t enough.
Failure: In Silicon Valley, I learned true failure isn’t an idea not working—it’s clinging to a doomed idea emotionally, like “The Walking Dead.” Enlightened leadership means letting go, learning why reality didn’t match your vision, and growing without resentment.
