Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Laura Waldorf Reiss

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Laura Waldorf Reiss. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Laura, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Laura: I’m most proud of the space we’ve built—an invisible, powerful culture where people feel
seen, safe, and valued as they are. You can’t always photograph or spreadsheet it, but you can
feel it the moment you walk into a Kindness Matters Foundation gathering: self-worth before test
scores; emotions met with kindness, not judgment. Over years of showing up, listening, and
choosing heart over ego, we’ve created a place where emotional and mental safety matter as
much as physical safety, and where people can stumble and rise again with support. That’s the
unseen foundation of belonging—and it’s where real change takes root.
Dido: And building on that, I’m incredibly proud of the global community that powers this
movement behind the scenes—the kind-hearted people from Florida to Montana, and across
Jordan, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Romania, and Grenada—who plan, brainstorm, and build the
programs others see onstage. Their daily, often invisible work makes our workshops, school
assemblies, clubs, and service opportunities possible.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Laura: I’m a mother, founder, visionary, and the heart behind Kindness Matters Foundation and
my international work. What began in 2008 as a simple after-school club to teach self-care,
emotional wellness, and giving back has grown into a global movement that teaches
kindness—to self, others, and the world. Our mission is to equip youth with the emotional tools
to thrive—building self-esteem, empathy, resilience, and optimism through the practiced skill of
kindness. We root our programs in neuroscience and lead with heart so people remember who
they are and step into their kindest selves. With Dido as our CEO, I’m focused on spreading
kindness globally—building bridges from Cameroon to the Dominican Republic, developing
curriculum, mentoring leaders, and creating experiences that plant seeds of connection and
love.
Dido: Adding to Laura’s vision, I’d say we’re a nonprofit dedicated to teaching kindness as an
essential life skill. Our work is anchored in four beliefs: Kindness is Infinite, Actions Matter,
Capacity for Good, and Shared Humanity. We deliver programs for schools and educators,
parents and caregivers, and organizations—and we’re expanding international partnerships,
including a planned summer camp in Cameroon in 2026.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Laura: I’m releasing the version of me that needed to hold it all—the one who wore every hat
while building from nothing. With Dido now at the helm, our foundation is strong and our global
vision has wings. My work is to trust, make space for new leadership, and step fully into being a
messenger, bridge-builder, and light-bearer on a global path of kindness.

Dido: That transition has allowed me to step into a larger truth: Kindness Matters Foundation is
now a global movement where kindness is a daily practice—embedded in classrooms, homes,
workplaces, and communities. We serve young people seeking belonging and impact; parents
and caregivers building emotional support systems; educators and school leaders shaping
connected school cultures; and donors who believe in a more compassionate, resilient future.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Laura: Our logo.

For years I was attached to the original design we created in 2008 because of
its meaning and memory. When Dido recommended evolving it, my heart clenched—until I
realized the spirit of Kindness Matters Foundation isn’t in a mark; it’s in people, mission, and
love. Letting go made space for new energy and growth. Today’s updated logo symbolizes trust,
transformation, and the power of releasing when the time is right.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Laura: KINDNESS.

Kindness—practiced, intentional, powerful enough to change lives. If we teach people,
especially youth, to care for themselves, others, and the world, we’ll raise empathetic, strong,
open-hearted leaders. Culture change takes time, but I’m committed for as long as it
takes—because kindness belongs in every curriculum, every home, every heart. It’s a skill, and
we teach. This work benefits our present and future generations.

Dido: That commitment drives me as well. Having lived across cultures, I see it as a moral
imperative to model and scale kindness—to ourselves, each other, and our planet—together.
I’m dedicated to spreading our four core beliefs everywhere I go, and making them tangible in
everyday life.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Laura: I believe each of us has a purpose. My work with Kindness Matters Foundation is my
answer to that purpose—to see and honor one another and support each other with open
hearts. I didn’t follow a script; I listened to the quiet voice that said, “This is yours to do,” and I
keep choosing it every day—with peace and clarity.

Dido: I feel the same. I’m doing what I was born to do—advancing emotional regulation as a
pathway to well-being, especially through education. Every choice I make is designed to move
this mission forward, one action at a time.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Andrea Blakesberg Photography
Michelle Weinhouse Photography

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