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Driving Change: The Safe Ride Foundation Founder Wayne Dorsey Takes on Impaired Driving
Dec 20, 2024
Among Maryland's diverse community of changemakers, there are inspiring young professionals whose innovative solutions are transforming lives. Through the Maryland's Rising Stars podcast — presented by UnitedHealthcare — we meet these emerging leaders and learn their stories of impact and transformation.
In this episode, we sit down with Wayne Dorsey, founder and president of The Safe Ride Foundation, whose work in Frederick County has prevented over 18,000 DUIs and created innovative transportation solutions for the community.
From Idea to Impact
At just 23 years old, Wayne Dorsey founded Safe Ride Foundation with a clear mission: stop impaired driving. Armed with a background in computer engineering and what he calls a "helpful dose of naivety," Dorsey developed the SOS Safe Ride app in 2015. The service works similarly to rideshare apps but with an important difference — it provides two volunteer drivers, one to drive you home and another to safely deliver your car.
The Evolution to Reveille Grounds
The success of the Baltimore Military Muster paved the way for Reveille Grounds, an innovative veteran engagement and impact hub that officially opened its doors in late 2023. Situated in a reclaimed 19th-century warehouse, Reveille Grounds is an open-concept space featuring a coffee bar, co-working space, wellness center, meeting rooms, and gathering spaces. It offers a comprehensive range of resources, activities, events, and workshops designed to facilitate community building and support for veterans and military-connected individuals.
Reveille Grounds is more than a facility — it's a catalyst for positive change, and an organization that is built off of the idea that a rising tide lifts all ships.
Evolution of Leadership
Nearly a decade later, Dorsey's role has evolved from "chief everything officer" to true CEO. This transition brought valuable lessons in delegation and leadership. "I'm learning to not be the smartest person in the room," Dorsey reflects. "I'm trying to surround myself with people who are so good that I would work for them."
Expanding Impact
Through Innovation While SOS Safe Ride remains their flagship program, the Foundation recently launched "Rides for Good," a daytime transportation service helping people access essential services. This expansion required careful consideration of the organization's mission and capabilities. "If you try to help everyone, you will help nobody," Dorsey notes, emphasizing the importance of sustainable growth and focused impact.
Overcoming Challenges
Dorsey's journey hasn't been without obstacles. As one of Frederick County's few African American nonprofit founders and executives, he's faced unique challenges in building credibility and navigating the nonprofit landscape. His approach? "Control the controllables," he advises. "When I started, I didn't have many resources or connections, but I did have effort."
The Power of Community Collaboration
Perhaps the most touching testament to Safe Ride's impact comes through the story of an elderly patron who became so moved by the organization's work that she asked to include them in her will. "It had never occurred to me that someone would look at us and say, 'I love what you guys are doing, and I want to make sure that when I'm not here, you guys are still here,'" Dorsey shares.
Future Vision
Looking ahead, Dorsey is focused on sustainability and scalability. Drawing inspiration from conversations with business leaders, he's implementing what he calls the "5 P's of success": Product, Promote, Process, People, and Protect. Currently focused on the "Process" phase, Dorsey aims to ensure consistent, reliable service delivery while maintaining the organization's mission-driven focus.
Key Leadership Lessons from Wayne's Journey
- Naivety can be an asset when starting something new
- Focus on mission over trying to be everything to everyone
- Build systems that ensure consistency and sustainability
- Empower your team to challenge your thinking
- Stay true to your core purpose while scaling
Learn more about Wayne Dorsey and the Safe Ride Foundation and their services at saferide.org, and tune in to the Maryland's Rising Stars podcast for more inspiring stories of innovation and impact across our state.
About the Maryland’s Rising Stars Podcast sponosored by UnitedHealthcare
Through the Maryland’s Rising Stars podcast series, we’ll meet and hear the stories of our state’s phenomenal young professionals, entrepreneurs and visionaries who are making a big impact through their work. They’ll share their passions, their visions for the future, and how they are driving transformation in their industries and communities each and every day — and we’ll also get an early look at the emerging leaders who represent the future of Maryland, and whose ideas, innovations and commitment to service will shape our state for years to come.
