Transformational Leadership and Social Impacts via Volunteer Social Business Model for SDG#3 and #17

This study explores the transformational leadership style of Yoganthan within the Andiappan Yoga Community (AYC), contextualized through the five steps of design thinking and SY Model endorsed by SGS ISO accreditation body 10 years ago. Drawing on Yeung’s framework, which emphasizes 7 principles of UNPRME and 17 UNSDGs, this research examines how Yoganthan exemplifies transformational leadership by empower yoga volunteers with certification, fostering community empowerment via partnership with beneficiart number up to 92,000 in annual report of 2023 with inclusivityand social innovations. Through qualitative analysis of analysing four years’ annual report (2020 – 2023) with organizational practices and community engagement projects, findings reveal that Yoganthan’s leadership promotes SDG#5 gender equity by encouraging active participation of women yoga trainers as volunteers, aligning with SDG#5 (Gender Equality) and SDG#8 decent jobs, facilitating the creation of meaningful employment opportunities, for example, project coordinators and yoga trainers/ MCs within the community. This leadership style underscores the importance of ecohumanistic values—empathy, sustainability, and social justice to drive positive social change. The study contributes to understanding how transformational leaders in nonprofit contexts with design thinking, UNPRME and UNSDGs for building sustainable wellness communities.