WIAL Platform

One platform for consistent chapter branding, coach visibility, and global coordination.

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Inspiration

The World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL) is a global nonprofit supporting coaches, chapters, and organizations that use Action Learning to solve real problems while developing leaders. But its digital presence was fragmented across separate chapter websites, inconsistent branding, and disconnected operational workflows.

That inspired us to build a platform that could bring WIAL’s global network together in one place while still supporting the needs of individual chapters. We wanted to create something that made the organization feel more unified, credible, and scalable.

What it does

WIAL Platform is a centralized web platform designed to support both WIAL Global and local chapters.

It provides:

  • Consistent branding across global and chapter experiences
  • Chapter dashboards for managing content and operations
  • Coach directories and profile management
  • Coach approval workflows
  • Event management
  • Payments and dues tracking
  • Recertification and membership support
  • Content tools for testimonials, client stories, and public-facing chapter updates
  • Admin reporting and oversight

The platform helps WIAL move from scattered systems to a more connected and professional digital ecosystem.

How we built it

We built the project using:

  • Next.js 14
  • TypeScript
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Supabase for database, auth, and backend services
  • Stripe for payments
  • OpenAI APIs for selected AI-assisted content workflows
  • Vercel for deployment architecture

We designed the platform around different user roles, including admins, chapter leads, content creators, and coaches, so the experience could reflect how WIAL actually operates.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was balancing global consistency with local flexibility. WIAL needs one connected platform, but each chapter still needs control over its own content, events, and operations.

Another challenge was scope. The organization has many moving parts, so we had to focus on the features that would create the most immediate value: chapter management, coach visibility, payments, events, and administrative oversight.

We also had to think carefully about how to turn a real nonprofit operational challenge into a product that feels clear and intuitive for multiple types of users.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud that we built a platform that reflects WIAL’s real structure instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.

Some of the accomplishments we’re most proud of are:

  • Creating a unified experience for global and chapter-level workflows
  • Improving brand consistency across the platform
  • Supporting core nonprofit operations like events, payments, and coach management
  • Building role-based dashboards that fit different users
  • Laying a scalable foundation for WIAL’s future growth

What we learned

We learned that building for nonprofits means thinking beyond features. Good software should reduce friction, strengthen trust, and help mission-driven teams work more effectively.

We also learned how important it is to design for multiple stakeholders at once. A global admin, a chapter lead, and a coach each need very different tools, and the platform becomes much stronger when those needs are built in from the beginning.

What's next for WIAL Platform

Next, we see opportunities to expand the platform with even stronger chapter customization, richer reporting, improved coach discovery, and deeper support for WIAL’s global network.

Our long-term vision is for WIAL Platform to become the digital backbone of the organization: one place where chapters, coaches, and global leadership can stay connected while advancing Action Learning worldwide.

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