Lynn Sanders
Lynn Sanders is a storytelling strategist, visibility coach, award-winning writer, and media host dedicated to helping nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven leaders amplify their impact through the power of strategic storytelling. As the founder of Difference Makers Media, she works with cause-focused organizations to increase visibility, attract funding, and build stronger community engagement through compelling stories, professional interviews, video production, publicity, and marketing campaigns. With more than 35 years of experience in writing, media, and communications, Lynn is known for transforming meaningful stories into powerful tools for growth, influence, and social change.
Before launching her own company, Lynn built a successful career in commercial writing and client services, creating marketing-focused content for Fortune 500 companies including Johnson & Johnson, Hanes, Reynolds Aluminum, Allstate, and Keebler. A career highlight included writing lyrics performed by legendary musical artist Lou Rawls for WGN-TV. Following several life-changing personal losses in 2004, Lynn shifted her professional focus from corporate marketing to purpose-driven storytelling. She rebranded her company from Park Avenue Productions to Difference Makers Media to reflect her mission of helping leaders and organizations create positive change through authentic, impactful narratives. Her work has helped clients secure national media coverage, expand memberships, increase fundraising, and strengthen community awareness — including a story that ultimately contributed to a nonprofit organization receiving $2 million in funding.
In addition to her consulting and media work, Lynn is a best-selling children’s author, speaker, and educator passionate about empowerment, mindset, and social impact. She is the author of award-winning books including Dancing With Tex: The Remarkable Friendship To Save The Whooping Cranes and has co-produced nationally recognized projects such as the Telly Award-winning patient safety film Things You Should Know Before Entering The Hospital. Through her coaching programs, online trainings, and media platforms, Lynn helps leaders uncover and communicate both their “inner story” and public message with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Her work continues to inspire organizations and individuals to use storytelling as a catalyst for connection, visibility, and meaningful transformation.
• Mindset Mastery Certification
• Certified Blue Ribbon Ambassador
• Certified Simply Music Piano Teacher
• Community Building Leadership Training Certification
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Conservation Author of the Year from Illinois Conservation Foundation
• Award from Cue College (Volunteer recognition)
• Winner in Alex Mandossian's Google Hangout Challenge
• Awards from Writer's Digest Magazine in Poetry and Prose
• Video - "Things You Should Know Before Entering The Hospital"
• EWomen's Network
• The Great Discovery Platform
• Miracle Morning Movement
• Blue Ribbons Worldwide (Certified Blue Ribbon Ambassador
• Westside Health Authority
• Cue College
• International Crane Foundation
• Causes for Change International
• Safe Place for Help
• Philanthropy Kids
What do you attribute your success to?
She attributes her success to her entire journey that it took to get to where she is today, which was her 41-year career in writing and media, including her work as a Director of Client Services at TMK Elias, her transition to running Difference Makers Media, and her current focus on helping cause-focused leaders with storytelling and visibility. She is also most notable achievement includes her published children's books, including "Dancing with Tex" which won an Illinois Conservation Foundation award, and her work with various non-profits including Blue Ribbons Worldwide.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
After her pivotal moment in 2004 when three important people died within eight weeks, which was her mom, best friend, and former boss, which led them to refocus her business from corporate clients to cause-focused entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can have a successful career and make a difference in the lives of others
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As someone who is new to this area, one of the biggest challenges right now is building awareness and connections within the community so people understand the services I provide and how I can help. At the same time, that creates a huge opportunity to build strong relationships, expand my reach, and connect with individuals and organizations that truly need support. I’m excited to continue growing my services, becoming a trusted resource in the area, and helping as many people as possible make a positive impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My main message is, who I am makes a difference. I want people to know how much they matter, and I'm all about bringing out more positivity in the world through helping people recognize that they matter. I became more aware of how negative media is bringing everyone down, with increased suicides and mental health crises because people don't feel valued. My mission is to help people feel valued. I use blue ribbons wherever I go to honor people and help them know they can pass it on - it's a global movement of uniting humanity through the power of love. I realized we only have so much time in life, so I wanted to do work that was meaningful to me. I didn't want to just write for big companies who were paying me well - I wanted to write for people making a difference and help them make a bigger difference through their stories. While I'm here on this earth plane, I want people to know how much they matter.