About Us
Our Purpose:
Be Culture equips and empowers boards, executives, and other leaders to mobilize people across their organizations and/or communities to effectively and sustainably be the culture they desire. We work to design and implement efforts that overcome the status quo’s tendency to resist change and do so in ways that engage and unify people. Customized to fit the unique aspects of each effort, the framework that Be Culture uses is rooted in the system change and equity tenets of Adaptive Leadership and Beloved Community.
Our Guiding Values:
Love. We believe everyone always deserves to be loved.
Equity. We believe justice results from authentic shared determination.
Thriving. We believe in nurturing people’s unique gifts, talents, and purpose.
Systemic Solutions. We believe effective, sustainable solutions engage individuals, their relationships, and their guiding structures.
Co-Founders
James and Kristen Whitfield
James and Kristen Whitfield have combined their varied expertise and passions to co-found Be Culture, a high-impact consultancy focused on integrating equity into strategy, culture, and leadership practices. Together, they build upon their own broad experiences as leaders to support other leaders to ensure sustainable, system-wide change in their organizations and communities.
Professional Background
James Whitfield brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, culture development, and executive leadership in business, nonprofit, and public sectors. As a Co-Founder of Be Culture, he leverages his extensive expertise in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion to shape transformative strategies for organizations. James has led numerous workshops, trainings, and keynotes, synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data to craft impactful organizational strategies. His previous roles include CEO of Leadership Eastside, where he led the development of a Master’s Degree program in Executive and Civic Leadership, and as Deputy Director in the D.C. office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Kristen Whitfield, Be Culture Co-Founder, specializes in creating dynamic engagement strategies and overseeing project logistics. With a expertise in session design, Kristen enhances interactions and participation in both physical and virtual settings. Her ability to analyze surveys and focus groups adds depth to the insights provided to clients, facilitating tailored and effective initiatives. Prior to Be Culture, Kristen was a small business owner, honing her skills in business development and customer service.
Current Projects
Together, they are co-authoring a book on Be Culture’s Strategic Equity Framework, aiming to provide organizations with a guide to implementing sustainable equity strategies.
Community
The Whitfields are deeply committed to community, with a long history of volunteering. Kristen has served as a counselor and long-term mentor. James helped conceive and found Nourishing Networks, an all-volunteer anti-hunger movement and is recognized for his engaging public speaking and a TEDx Talk titled: Defining Equity. Pursuing Unity.