MEET THE TEAM
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Award-winning author & keynote speaker Alicia Korten is building we cultures fueled by values. Known for her influential work on the science of values, Korten delivers a unique keynote experience lighting up audiences with her dynamic storytelling and interactive style. Winner of the prestigious Axiom Business Book gold medal, her keynotes, books and curriculaValues Ignite, Values Sustain and Change Philanthropy are shaping the future of workplace culture.
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Alicia has worked with small businesses, cooperatives, credit unions and household names like Levi's, the Ford Foundation and the United Nations. She is the creator of the Core Values & Culture Survey, a culture instrument that accelerates workforce culture transformation. Korten's culture
CEO & Award-Winning Author
Alicia Korten
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​​ initiatives have sparked growth turn arounds and turbocharged industry leaders.
A Fulbright Scholar, Alicia's passion for building values-led we cultures grew from living in Asia and working with Indigenous Peoples in Panama. Her innovative keynotes and actionable culture models are inspired by her cross-cultural experiences. With stories that take listeners from the rainforests to the board room, she moves audiences to act from shared values to achieve extraordinary results.
Paul Costello
Culture Expert
A pioneer in organizational storytelling, Paul has been recognized by the U.S. Congress and the Northern Ireland Assembly for his contribution to peace and for developing innovative narrative methodologies for reconciliation. He has led culture transformation initiatives for NASA, Department of Treasury, Lockheed Martin and others. He holds an MFA from American University.
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Paul and Alicia met while leading an organizational storytelling group in Washington, DC called the Golden Fleece. This community of practice held annual conferences at the Smithsonian Institute and George Mason University and helped mainstream narrative as a business practice.
![hesh_201802_BiggerGameLive_0444[1] (1)_edited_edited.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/da6a00_7c1283ed4ec74dddb5e12e896fd705ca~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_9,w_1311,h_1636/fill/w_102,h_127,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/hesh_201802_BiggerGameLive_0444%5B1%5D%20(1)_edited_edited.png)
Barbara Wyckoff
Strategist & Culture Coach
Barbara has led hundreds of strategic planning sessions for values-led organizations. She is a certified coach through the Coaches Training Institute.
She has led strategic planning & conducted culture coaching at the USDA Forestry Service, the Ford Foundation, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the University of Vermont among others. She holds an MA from American University and lived for twenty years in Africa.
Alicia and Barbara met while working on forestry projects together at the Ford Foundation.
Michael Perman
Innovation Culture Creator
Michael has fostered innovation mindsets for a wide spectrum of brands and companies including Google, Adidas, REI, Hyatt and Pottery Barn. As an innovation executive at Levi's, Michael led breakthrough product innovations that helped return Levi's to prosperity and generated over $600 million in new revenue streams. Michael is the author of Craving the Future.
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Michael and Alicia have joined forces to create Orange Grove Nine--a company that helps organizations innovate from values.
WHO WE WORK WITH
We work with values-led leaders in business, nonprofits, foundations and government agencies. They are pioneers. They care about the world. And they are committed—to their staff, to the world and to creating a truly great organization.
Businesses, Cooperatives, Universities & Associations
Government
Foundations & Non-Profits
Inspired by her years working with Indigenous Peoples in Panama's rain forested Darien Gap, Alicia is a passionate climate activist. Here she leads the session CEO MANDATE: The Importance in Leading Sustainability on climate and risk in her volunteer role with Business Climate Leaders.
WHAT MAKES US TICK
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We build values-led culture that will ignite you, your staff and your customers. Here's what you can expect from us.
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Catalyze Remarkable Results
We love being a part of the energy that's unleashed when organizations connect to what is truly important to them. We delight in helping set an office abuzz. When leaders connect to their call. When customers send rave reviews and profits grow.
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Be Passionate and Purposeful
We love what we do. That's what keeps our offerings fresh and innovative. We build on our strengths to create programs our clients love.
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Do More with Less
We build products that help clients do more with less. While real culture transformation takes time, we are pioneering methodologies to create big impact with fewer resources.
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Co-Create Culture
We believe every organization has its core DNA already coded within it. Our job is to help executives and staff discover and bring their organizational story to life. Getting many people involved in the process builds commitment and excitement--it's the coding secret that makes your culture work.
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Be in Service
Our love of transforming organizations is surpassed only by our dedication to those we serve. We listen. We tailor programs to fit client needs. And through the tumult of change--we welcome feedback and invite dialogue.
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Build Relationships
Relationships are the glue that makes change possible. We invest time in building high-trust relationships that work--with our clients and with the communities we are a part of.
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Support a Healthy Planet
We want everyone to thrive. And that means living on a healthy planet.. Where everyone can meet their basic needs. We have pro bono commitments with key partners such as Business Climate Leaders and work with many socially responsible organizations helping them realize their mission in new and exciting ways.
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