How I Work
How Does
Culture Change?
As human beings, everyone wants to feel seen and heard. When they do, innovation and engagement rise exponentially. More importantly, the more that people feel they belong, the more they want to stay.
When you engage my services, you are engaging my years of experience and my ability to reach people. The humor, sensitivity, adaptability, and respect that I bring allows groups to unlock their defenses and open to the possibility of a new way of doing things.
My ideal clients are ready to make big shifts to boost collective cohesion, but are unsure of how to operationalize them. You may even be stuck. That’s were I come in. I’ll help you figure out where to get started, and how to engage your teams along the way.
Case Studies
Organization-wide soul search in the wake of BLM.
Opportunity
The Nature Conservancy
Partner
Moved by the terrible events leading up to the BLM Movement, The Nature Conservancy brought me in to help support an organization-wide inquiry: “How might we be implicated in re-enforcing white supremacy?” In an effort to create space for everyone’s voices, the Conservancy initiated caucuses for different ethnic groups to explore this inquiry. As a facilitator, I guided the conversation of the white caucus.
The Work
Resolve conflict & equip physicians with tools for greater collaboration.
Opportunity
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
Partner
This 460-member physician medical group brought me in during a time of tension to develop programs and consult on effective culture building. In just two sessions, we were able to diffuse longstanding anger and resentment between orthopedic specialists, resulting in the collective decision to reallocate compensation along more equitable guidelines.
”I found Rich to be extraordinarily effective in terms of communication. He engaged these physicians with tools they still use consistently to avoid misunderstanding and develop shared gratitude.”
— Geoff Galbraith, MD; former Associate Medical Director, Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser)
The Work
Unlock the “White Guy Reaction” to DEI efforts at scale.
Opportunity
Partner
iBoss Well
This successful strategic planning company engages me in to deliver DEI education and facilitation directly to their clients - including an aerospace administration, a social services department in Kansas, a public health department, and a regional utility company. In these arenas there is a great need to develop new processes and language among staff to navigate social/cultural disparities, but not a lot of shared context and constructs for doing so without triggering defensiveness and reactivity. By helping employees recognize diversity within their seemingly homogenous group without a lot of finger-pointing, blaming or shaming, we were able to help them to see themselves, their colleagues, and the communities they serve in a different light.
“The approach Rich takes, and being a white male, creates a different dynamic in conversations that occur, and disarms people early in the game, allowing them to open up and be vulnerable. Rich did a great job of setting the tone where it feels okay to talk about some things even if you feel uncomfortable.”
—Wayne Powell, President & CEO
The Work
Embed belonging and psychological safety into the entire employee experience.
Opportunity
Partner
Hubbell Inc.
A leading manufacturer of utility and electrical solutions with over 135 years in business and more than 17,000 employees worldwide, Hubbell first engaged me in 2018 to begin delivering DEI training at every level of the company. We started at the C level, moved on to the top 5 levels of management, and are currently working at the level of the plant floor. In 2024, Hubbell was awarded the Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, listed as a Top Diversity Employer by DiversityJobs, and named of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek.
“Rich was able to diffuse the tensions and create a safe learning environment where everyone felt included. Our employees have pointed to sessions held by Rich as providing a blueprint for a more inclusive culture.
Some consultants have cookie cutter presentations that are generic in nature. Rich adjusts the material to fit the culture of the organization which makes the material real and relevant for participants.”
— Jil Littlejohn Bostick, Former Director of Inclusion & Diversity—Hubbell Inc.
The Work
Enhance career satisfaction and sense of belonging for association members.
Opportunity
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
Partner
This high-touch trade association is the premier association for leading commercial insurance and employee benefits intermediaries around the world. Their membership annually places 85% of all U.S. property/casualty insurance premiums. Our collaboration began in 2020 with the creation of DEI learning circles for members. It was so successful that, in partnership with facilitator and activist Tracy Rogers, I continue to run cohort based DEI training and education programming on an ongoing basis.
We worked with Rich to help our members create more inclusive and diverse environments. This type of work is most effective when started at the top, so we had Rich work with our Board. His warm, approachable, nonjudgemental demeanor opened the eyes of even the most skeptical. By creating an atmosphere where difficult and uncomfortable conversations could happen, change was possible. He continues this successful work at all levels throughout our organization.
The Work
Culturally support the horizontal integration of international trade.
Opportunity
Partner
Global Logistics Company
This company is building (through acquisition) a seamless global trade flow, from factory floor to customer door. In support of this strategic vision, they brought me in to help cohere and integrate systems, processes, and culture across previously disparate organizations. Additionally, I assist leaders in performing well as sustainable leaders in highly ambiguous scenarios.
The Work