Community Highlights: Meet Victoria Junkins of Impact The World Foundation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Junkins.

Hi Victoria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Victoria’s Story: From Corporate Leader to Compassionate Changemaker

I’m Victoria, and my professional journey began at HP, spanning Hewlett-Packard, HP Inc., and Hewlett Packard Enterprise – where I dedicated 35 transformative years to mastering leadership, marketing, and program management. It was there, in the crucible of a global technology powerhouse, that I developed the strategic acumen and empathetic leadership style that would guide me throughout my career. Over those decades, I led cross-functional teams, steered complex initiatives, and helped shape inclusive cultures that thrived on innovation and community.

A defining moment came in 2022, when I was honored as one of ten global recipients, out of more than 600 nominees, for the HPE Women’s Excellence Award during International Women’s Day. This recognition not only celebrated my commitment to leadership and marketing innovation but affirmed the importance of amplifying diverse voices and fostering a culture of belonging.

While I cherished my time at HP, after 35 years, I felt a calling to channel everything I’d learned into something even more meaningful. My answer to that call was the birth of Impact The World Foundation, co-founded along with my husband, Mike Wing. At the heart of our work is a powerful mission: to strip away systemic barriers and ignite meaningful transformation for underserved and marginalized communities.

Alongside this professional and mission-driven journey, I have always sought balance through my love for music and performance. Singing has been both a joy and a source of renewal for me. I have had the privilege of performing with the Loveland Opera Theatre in productions such as Kismet, Brigadoon, and Iolanthe, and I also sang bass in the Sweet Adeline’s women’s barbershop quartet, Lyric. These experiences remind me of the power of storytelling through music and the beauty of community created on stage—qualities that echo the same themes of connection and transformation that inspire my work with Impact The World.

My path from HP to Impact The World Foundation taught me that real leadership is not just about rising, it’s about lifting others as you go. I’m proud of the legacy I started in corporate America, and I’m even more inspired by the legacy we’re building now, one of systemic change, inclusive opportunity, and enduring compassion.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been deeply rewarding, but it certainly has not always been smooth. For many years, I walked the road of being a single mom, raising two boys who were just six and seven at the time, Michael and Matthew. That experience shaped me in ways that no corporate training program ever could.

Matthew, my older son, is on the autism spectrum. Early on, he faced many meltdowns that required me to literally drop everything, work, errands, even plans with friends, to be fully present with him. I made sure he had the testing, therapies, and support he needed, but the unpredictability meant that schedules and agendas could evaporate in a heartbeat. It was during those years that I coined a phrase that still guides me to this day: “Sometimes you have to abandon your agenda with grace.” For me, that became the essence of showing unconditional love. Matthew’s passion for trains has led me to countless hours of trainspotting and long Amtrak rides. Once, I sat in my car for 12 hours while he watched freight trains. Since children with disabilities are often excluded socially, parents like me become their friends by necessity, an everyday act of love and sacrifice

At the same time, Michael, my younger son, was in the gifted and talented intellectual program in school. He had energy and brilliance that needed direction, and he chose the world of dance and musical theater, starting at just 10 years old. Competitive dance became his passion, which meant that almost every weekend during competition season, I would pack up both boys and head out of town to cheer him on. That commitment carried us all the way to Los Angeles, where Michael pursued his dreams at USC as a dance major. Supporting him financially as a single mom was no small feat, and I was grateful for the reprieve when he was awarded close to a full scholarship.

Of course, being a single mom was hard enough on its own. Being a single woman of color added an entirely different dimension of challenge. I experienced both passive and overt discrimination, moments that reminded me of the barriers, both real and perceived, that so many people face every day. Those experiences, though painful at times, ignited a passion in me to dedicate my life to breaking down those barriers. They inspired the very heart of Impact The World Foundation, our mission to ensure every person can rise to their fullest potential without the limitations society may try to place on them.

And then came a beautiful turning point when I met my husband, Mike. He stepped into our lives with open arms and an open heart, not only as my partner but also as a co-parent. Mike has given me something I did not always allow myself before: permission to rest, refuel, and recharge, knowing that my boys were loved and supported. Together, we have built a home filled with stability, laughter, faith, and unconditional love. For my sons, he has modeled what a healthy, respectful, and deeply caring relationship looks like, and for me, he has been both anchor and safe harbor.

Looking back, the road was not smooth, but it was purposeful. The struggles shaped my resilience, deepened my empathy, and gave me a clarity of mission that fuels the work I do today. With love and partnership alongside me, the journey now feels even more meaningful.

As you know, we’re big fans of Impact The World Foundation. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As Co-Founder and President of Impact The World Foundation, I’m proud to say that it is more than just a nonprofit. It is a movement rooted in compassion, equity, and transformation. After decades in corporate leadership, I knew my next chapter had to be about turning those skills into service, and that is exactly what this organization represents.

At Impact The World, we focus on breaking down systemic barriers that hold people back and equipping communities with the tools, resources, and inspiration to thrive. We specialize in creating programs that educate, empower, and uplift, all while staying anchored in the guiding principle of Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

What sets us apart is that we do not simply provide services. We provide hope, pathways, and systemic solutions. Everything we do is built around three simple but powerful pillars: Equip, Enable, and Encourage. We believe in giving people not just tools, but the confidence and opportunity to rise above societal obstacles. We believe in empowerment, dignity, and long-term impact.

Here’s what makes our work truly bold and inspiring:

* Impact Media – We are telling powerful stories through our books, podcasts, and documentaries that spark dialogue, raise awareness, encourage critical thinking and drive change.

* Impact Education – We reimagine learning through an immersive, inquiry-based curriculum that turns education into an exhilarating, relevant experience. Our International Space, Science, and Oceanography Centers (ISSOC) will immerse 5th and 6th graders in a 5-day, 24/7 science-rich environment, making math and science exciting and deeply contextualized. Additionally, we’re launching 400 Impact Charter Schools in underserved communities, offering students the transformational high-quality education everyone deserves.

One of the most personal reflections of our mission came when I co-coached a 7th grade boys basketball team at a Title I middle school, along with my husband who taught Social Studies at the school. The challenges went far beyond the court. Many games began with uncertainty about whether we could even field a team, because poor grades, behavior issues, or skipping school could mean players were ineligible. Unlike some of the other schools we played who had kids whose families could afford basketball camps and rec league fees, some of our kids had never touched a basketball before. Teaching basic basketball skills and how to just show up to practice ready to go was job #1. Despite the setbacks, we poured our hearts into those boys. From losing our first game 55–5 to ultimately becoming the number one seed in the tournament consolation bracket, we witnessed firsthand what dedication, love, and belief can do. That experience reinforced my commitment to serving the disenfranchised and reminded me that transformation happens when people are given structure, opportunity, and someone who refuses to give up on them.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of the fact that we have built an organization that is professional, approachable, and transformational at the same time. Our brand is rooted in servant leadership and guided by faith. It is also designed to meet people where they are, whether they are a child who has never seen themselves in science, a family searching for food and health support, or an individual who simply needs to know that their voice matters.
If there is one thing I want readers to know, it is this: Impact The World Foundation exists to remind people that they are seen, valued, and capable of greatness. We do not want to simply help people survive. We want to help them flourish. That is the heart of our mission, and it is why I believe our work will continue to leave a lasting imprint on communities in Northern Colorado, Denver and across the nation and world.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My success comes from high emotional intelligence, strong faith, resilience, and perseverance. These qualities, along with compassion, courage, grace, and a commitment to servant leadership, have allowed me to lead authentically, build a visionary path forward, and stay grounded in purpose while lifting others along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://goimpacttheworld.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vjunkins5/

Image Credits
Eyesmiles Photography – Laura Siebert