What if leadership didn’t start with a title - but with showing up?
Building youth leadership through visible real-world impact
3,000+ BIRTHDAY CAKE ITEMS COLLECTED
~
1,233 HYGIENE ITEMS DELIVERED THROUGH CLASSROOM BASED PROJECTS
~
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RAISED TO FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY
~
3,000+ BIRTHDAY CAKE ITEMS COLLECTED ~ 1,233 HYGIENE ITEMS DELIVERED THROUGH CLASSROOM BASED PROJECTS ~ THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RAISED TO FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY ~
THE FRAMEWORK
WHAT IS THE D-MAX EFFECT?
Students build confidence, belonging, and leadership — plus the skills that carry into work and life:
BUILT FOR ACTION
WHO IT’S FOR
A youth leadership framework that turns one student’s idea into visible community impact. Students learn to notice a need, rally people around it, and show what leadership looks like in action.
THIS WASN’T VOLUNTEERISM. THIS WAS LEADERSHIP
ONE ASK. 1,233 ITEMS COLLECTED.
United Technologies Center
$6400+RAISED
FOR NONPROFIT
In the UMaine classroom pilots, business students planned and ran their own projects — raising more than $6,400 for local nonprofits.
University of Maine
Business students at UTC partnered with Neighbors Supporting Neighbors — collecting 1,233 items in the program’s first project and showing how a focused student-led project can move an entire community.
THE 6-WEEK PROGRAM
HOW IT WORKS
01
KICKOFF CALL
Lisa launches the six-week program with your class and frames the challenge ahead.
IN THEIR WORDS
"I’m amazed, yet again, at how powerful collaboration is. Watching our class raise nearly $7,000 in just three weeks was a powerful reminder of how easy it is to create real impact while learning invaluable leadership."
— University Student
02
PICK A PROJECT
Students spot a real problem in their school or community, then choose the one they'll solve.
03
MAKE IT REAL
They plan it, raise the money, and do the work, with Lisa checking in along the way.
BY THE NUMBERS
THE RECEIPTS
$20,000+
raised since 2020
$4,000+
in bicycles for the Boys & Girls Club
5,000+
birthday cake items collected
~$7,000
raised by a single college class
2,500
cereal boxes collected
1,233
items in the first UTC project
"This project helped show us how to adapt when you have due dates and people relying on you."
— UMaine Business Student
04
SHARE THE IMPACT
The class celebrates, counts the results, and shares their impact story with the community.
"What mattered most wasn't the money — it was how engaged and invested every student became. The D-Max Effect showed them their ideas can create real change. They can be the ones who start it.
— Rebecca Willette
BECOME A CERTIFIED D-MAX AMPLIFIER
A D-Max Amplifier is a student leader, 16 or older, who has already made a real difference in their school or community. They're nominated by a teacher or counselor, complete a free 3-hour training, and present a five-minute story of the impact they made. Then they're certified to join virtual D-Max Effect classrooms alongside an adult facilitator and inspire other students to step up.
READY TO BRING THIS TO YOUR CLASSROOM & COMMUNITY?
Book Lisa for a keynote, a workshop or training, or the full six-week D-Max Effect program, right in your classroom. Send us your date and your group size, and we'll confirm within two business days and plan the session with you.