M. Teresa Lawrence is a creative, visionary leader dedicated to helping others reach their full potential. She is an accomplished attorney, publisher, educator, and entrepreneur living in western Wyoming. A multi-award-winning philanthropist, transformational leader, life coach, and best-selling author, she is a 1988 graduate of Amherst College and a 1991 graduate of the Columbia Law School.

Over the years, she has served the world through volunteer work and non-profit fundraising. As a Cuban immigrant, Teresa knows firsthand the hardships faced by refugees throughout the world, which led her to found The Trueness Project in 2023.

On December 14, 2023, Teresa was honored with a Doctorate in Humane Letters in Leadership Development, Justice, and Advocacy by the Open Christian University USA, in collaboration with Angaza Bible College, Kenya. This award recognized her life-changing philanthropic efforts in Kenya, Nepal, and the world.

In one of her books, _Gloriousness_, she shares the story of a young girl, Ness, searching and ultimately discovering her inner trueness from a confusing experience. The children’s leadership book inspires and teaches children to embrace and honor their own creativity.

She is a renowned transformational leader who strongly subscribes to the idea that authentic living is the highway to a fulfilled life. Her impact transcends borders, and during her recent visit to Kenya, the Maasai gave her the name “Noonkishu,” which means “many cows”. Among the Maasai, the name defines her as one who’s wealthy yet so generous that she keeps on sharing her abundance with the community.

“When you live in alignment with your deepest truths, you are never lost. A profound peace permeates your mind, body, and life – a state of nirvana that is yours to savor. The past holds no power, for you realize that it is no longer happening, and dwelling on it only gives energy to stories that no longer concern you,” she writes in That Impact book. 

What has given you the most joy and fulfillment?

The greatest joy and fulfillment in my life come from empowering individuals and communities to embrace their authentic selves. My heart rejoices to see people from everywhere in the world realizing their powerful selves and using their talents to better their own lives and those of others.

Founding and serving humanity through The Trueness Project has allowed me to witness firsthand the transformative power of authenticity and truth in people’s lives. Seeing individuals, especially children and youth, realize their potential and take charge of their destinies brings me immense happiness.

Share your work as a Transformational Leader. Why are people coming to you today?

As a transformational leader, my focus has been easing suffering in the world through promoting honesty, integrity, and authenticity across various facets of life. Through The Trueness Project, we have been empowering individuals and communities to live their truth and positively impact the world.

Beyond humanitarian service, people seek me for public speaking engagements on Leadership, Humanitarian philanthropy and authorship.

They also seek my guidance to navigate personal and professional challenges, aiming to lead more authentic and fulfilling lives.

At The Trueness Project, they are drawn to our mission of fostering genuine connections and creating lasting change.

What will people notice when working with you?

That I believe in their capabilities and I’m ready to help them become better selves.

Also, when collaborating with me, individuals often notice a deep commitment to authenticity and a genuine passion for uplifting others. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, encouraging open dialogue and personal growth.

My approach is centered on empathy, active listening, and a steadfast dedication to helping others uncover and embrace their true selves.

Tell us about how traveling has truly strengthened your love for community.

Traveling has been instrumental in deepening my appreciation for diverse cultures and the universal desire for connection. A pivotal moment was my visit to Kenya in September 2023, where I fell in love with the people and their rich cultural heritage. I also visited over ten schools and spoke to more than 12,000 students in all levels.

This life-changing experience reinforced my belief in the power of community and the importance of supporting one another.

I noticed the high numbers of less privileged people, including girls struggling to afford sanitary towels, students staying out of school for lack of tuition fee, and computer laboratories with a single of a few computers serving hundreds and even thousands of students, among other struggles.

All these inspired me to expand The Trueness Project’s initiatives to help individuals lead more dignified, fulfilling lives.

Travelling around the USA has exposed me to more and more learning opportunities and connected me with many global change makers serving communities across the globe. I have witnessed the power of joining hands for a common goal, and I have passionately told my story and sought collaborators to join me in supporting more communities across the world to lead more dignified lives.

You have contributed to ‘That Impact Book’ which will be released in March. Why was this important to you? Please share a bit about your story.

Contributing to “That Impact Book” was a significant opportunity to share my journey and the mission of The Trueness Project with a broader audience. The book, set to launch on March 25, 2025, in Times Square, New York, features stories from 44 elite entrepreneurs who have made remarkable impacts in their fields.

My contribution is on how I have been graced to help people around me and the ripple effect become a benefit to thousands of other beneficiaries globally. I delve into how I was able, through The Trueness Project, to gather people from all over the world to stand for peace and share love in a historic yet fun-filled way.

I also share about the power of mastery, the essence of true philanthropy and the place of inspiration and perseverance in life.

My story aims to inspire others to embrace their truth and make a positive difference in the world.  

What is next for you?

Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that on June 28, 2025, we’ll again gather in downtown Jackson, Wyoming, and champion global peace. Dressed like butterflies, our symbol of transformation, we’ll interact with fellow change agents, world leaders, activists and think tanks from all over the world and share transformational stories.

Attended by people from all over the world, this is set to be a historic gathering, and we foresee breaking a world record of the largest assembly of people dressed like butterflies! The first 1000 registrants aged 21+ will get a 5-day, 6-night vacation to explore Mexico or the Caribbean, with all their meals and accommodation fully paid.

Going forward, I am strategizing with my team and brainstorming more transformative approaches to continue expanding The Trueness Project’s reach, particularly in communities that can benefit from our programs promoting authenticity and empowerment.

We plan to launch new initiatives that focus on leadership development and educational support for underprivileged youth. This includes spreading our wings to one more country in 2025.

We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate with like-minded organizations to amplify our impact and foster a global movement towards living authentically.

Website: https://www.truenessproject.org

LinkedIn: The Trueness Project (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-trueness-project/)

Facebook: The Trueness Project (https://www.facebook.com/thetruenessproject?)

Instagram: The Trueness Project (https://www.instagram.com/thetruenessproject/)

YouTube: @Yourtrueness (https://youtube.com/@yourtrueness3147)