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In this episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Senior Consultant Michelle Dudar, and Senior Manager Tyler Sciortino explore the pivotal trends reshaping treasury in 2025. From rapid AI advancements driving strategic planning, risk management, and fraud detection to the major changes driven by the ISO transition, they uncover how technology is revolutionizing treasury management. The discussion highlights the power of APIs in enhancing connectivity, the benefits of notional pooling and in-house banking for optimizing liquidity, and the future of forecasting automation. Tune in to discover what your treasury team needs to know to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving financial landscape.Listen to learn more about:The transformative power of AI for strategic planning, risk management, and fraud detectionKey considerations for the 2025 ISO transition and its impact on streamlining global financial transactionsThe critical role of APIs in enhancing connectivity and compliance,The benefits of notional pooling and in-house banking in optimizing liquidityThe future of forecasting automation in treasury operations About Kerry Wekelo Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About Tyler Sciortino: Tyler is a Senior Manager in the Treasury & Capital Markets practice at Actualize Consulting. He has a wide range of valuable skills and qualities, including expertise in analyzing financial research, team building, motivational leadership, critical and analytical writing abilities, a passion for business, and a strong drive to achieve success. His specializations include risk management, reporting, business requirements, and project management. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Email: tsciortino@actualizeconsulting.com About Michelle Dudar Michelle is a Senior Consultant at Actualize Consulting with extensive industry experience in Treasury and global capital markets. She has implemented international Treasury Management Systems and led or played active roles in strategic transactions including acquisitions and divestitures, equity issues and IPOs, and debt issues and redemptions. Michelle earned an MBA - Finance a BComm - Accounting from the University of Calgary. Email: mdudar@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review! Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this engaging episode of the Actualizing Success podcast, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo and Senior Manager Kyle Olovson, CTP, explore best practices for transitioning or upgrading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. They emphasize the crucial role of the treasury group in these processes, highlighting the integration between Treasury Management Systems (TMS) and ERPs. This episode will help you gain insights into the complexities of these integrations, including critical data flows, enhanced forecasting capabilities, and strategies to combat fraud through efficient payment processes. Kyle also introduces the concept of a "payment factory" and discusses how it can streamline operations and maximize cost efficiency.Listen to learn more about:The importance of early involvement of the treasury group in ERP transitionsKey data integrations between TMS and ERP for improved forecasting and liquidity planningEnhancements in cash flow management and risk mitigation through system integrationsThe role of automation in streamlining treasury operationsStrategies for achieving effective compliance and reporting through data managementTune in to discover how integrating TMS and ERP can lead to significant operational improvements and strategic advantages for your organization. About Kerry Wekelo Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About Kyle OlovsonKyle is a Senior Manager at Actualize Consulting, specializing in liquidity management, payment execution, netting, forecasting, cash positioning, FX operations, system integration, Treasury Management Systems, and SWIFT. He has led over 15 Treasury transformation projects and participated in more than 25 throughout his 8-year tenure with Actualize. With over 15 years of experience in Treasury, including 7 years as a practitioner with Fortune 500 companies, he has focused on process improvement and control enhancement through efficient workflows and automation. Kyle's focus on developing individuals, systems, and processes that enhance team efficiency sets him apart in his expertise for Treasury transformation initiatives.Email: kolovson@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review! Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
On the most recent episode of Actualizing Success, Kerry Wekelo, COO of Actualize Consulting, and Theresa Santoro, Global HR & Operations Director, reflect on their journey of shaping the company's culture and establishing a thriving workplace. They candidly share personal anecdotes about overcoming work-related obstacles and underscore the importance of trust, loyalty, and ethical leadership in empowering employees. Additionally, Kerry and Theresa offer valuable strategies for nurturing team members' personal and professional growth. Join them for an in-depth exploration of empathy, recognizing individual strengths, and the impact of meaningful connections in creating a flourishing work environment with actionable advice on empowering individuals to thrive in the workplace. Listen to learn more about:Building trust and fostering strong relationships with team members and colleagues Effective delegation to develop others and the challenges faced in doing soThe importance of ethical leadership and upholding values in challenging situationsSupporting employees in their careers and understanding their personal and professional aspirationsThe benefit of regularly gathering feedback and insights and how it contributes to a thriving work culture About Kerry Wekelo Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About Theresa Santoro Theresa is Director of Human Resources and Operations at Actualize Consulting. She has extensive experience managing daily business operations, including overseeing all aspects of recruiting operations, human resources, client management, employee management and training, and the complex initiatives that support a diverse international organization. Email: tsantoro@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this episode of Actualizing Success, COO Kerry Wekelo and Manager Dean Ibbs discuss the essential components of a payment strategy, including risk management, payment security, regulatory compliance, and emerging payment methods and technologies. They highlight the importance of adopting technology solutions to mitigate emerging risks in the digital payment landscape and explore the potential benefits of leveraging regulatory changes proactively. Join Kerry and Dean for an insightful discussion on optimizing your payment strategy to improve cash flow, mitigate financial risks, and ensure regulatory compliance. Listen to learn more about: The evolving landscape and new risks coming from the rise of digital transactions, increased cyber threats, and more complex global payment systems The importance of adopting technology solutions to mitigate these risks Leveraging regulatory changes for potential benefits proactively Emerging payment methods and technologies Essential components of a payment strategy About Kerry Wekelo Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About Dean Ibbs Dean is a Manager at Actualize Consulting with 13 years of experience in the Fintech industry. Dean's specific expertise lies in corporate treasury and treasury management systems, having worked in a variety of roles helping clients to optimize and digitize processes related to cash and liquidity, funding and debt, payments management, risk management and accounting. Dean holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Warwick. Email: dibbs@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. More Info: Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
On this latest episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Director Irv Goldfinger, and Senior Manager John Kruger dive into the pressing issue of retaining treasury talent. With turnover affecting all levels within treasury teams, from senior management to analysts, and the demand for experienced treasury professionals continuing to soar, our experts share their insights and strategies for keeping treasury teams united and inspired.Listen to learn more about: ● The reasons behind talent departures● The power of cross-training● Strategies for keeping teams united and inspired● Utilizing technology to build robust, automated processes● Creating a culture that supports team growth and innovation● How Actualize Consulting nurtures treasury talent through innovative programs About Kerry Wekelo:Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.● Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About John Kruger John is a Senior Manager at Actualize Consulting with over 11 years of experience. He specializes in Treasury and risk management, cash management and forecasting, payments, cash accounting process, training and development, support process reviews and documentation, SaaS implementations, project management, and relationship management.● Email: jkruger@actualizeconsulting.com About Irv Goldfinger:Irv is a Managing Director in the Capital Markets and Treasury practice at Actualize Consulting with 40 years of experience. Irv has extensive experience across all fixed income, structured products and derivative instruments and prime brokerage, investment banking, multinational corporates, and hedge funds. He specializes in managing fit gap analysis, software development, vendor software evaluation, implementation of third-party software, regulatory compliance, systems architecture review, business process engineering, interface development, application performance tuning, and risk management. Irv holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Brooklyn College.● Email: igoldfinger@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. More Info: Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
On this latest episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Senior Consultant Danecia Stewart, and Managing Director Priscila Nagalli examine the significant industry shifts impacting Treasury Management System vendor evaluations. Our experts delve into the latest trends and a modern approach that includes identifying metrics, functionality, integrating platforms, and utilizing new technologies that are reshaping this dynamic sector. At Actualize Consulting, we are committed to providing unparalleled value to our clients by delivering cost and time savings, leveraging our diverse team's TMS expertise, and assisting with identifying genuine needs and negotiating with vendors. Listen to learn more about:· Market support functionality· Growth of different companies· Integration across platforms· APIs vs SFTP vs Swift About Priscila Nagalli- Priscila Nagalli is a Managing Director at Actualize Consulting with over 25 years' experience in international cash, banking, payment, investments, compliance, liquidity, and currency risk management, as well as leading complex global transformation projects. She is an economist, CFA, and CTP Charterholder. She is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish.- Email: pnagalli@actualizeconsulting.com About Danecia Stewart- Danecia is a Senior Consultant at Actualize Consulting with over 15 years of experience in liquidity management, budgeting and forecasting, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, corporate finance, commodity finance, relationship management, financial analysis, policies/procedures, and global trade finance. She earned her Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Houston.- Email: dstewart@actualizeconsulting.com About Kerry Wekelo - Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.comThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Baram. More Info: Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Director Paul Baram and Manager Dean Ibbs discuss the key milestones along the adoption timeline and review some of the major implications of the ISO 20022 message formats. They also explore how organizations will be impacted, what you can do to best prepare, and how to realize the benefits associated with ISO 20022.Listen to learn more about:- Benefits of early adoption- ISO 20022 and timeline milestones- A migration plan that includes technology- How Actualize Consulting can assist you with this transition About Paul Baram- Paul is Director of Actualize Consulting's UK office and their Treasury and Capital Markets projects. His 20 plus years of experience include international project management, business requirements, system design, treasury system implementation, testing and managing project execution. Paul specializes in Corporate Treasury overall solution architecture, and business process design. He holds a MSc. in Surface Chemistry from the University of Bristol.- Email: pbaram@actualizeconsulting.com About Dean Ibbs- Dean is a Manager at Actualize Consulting with 13 years of experience in the Fintech industry. Dean's specific expertise lies in corporate treasury and treasury management systems, having worked in a variety of roles helping clients to optimize and digitize processes related to cash and liquidity, funding and debt, payments management, risk management and accounting. Dean holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Warwick.- Email: dibbs@actualizeconsulting.com About Kerry Wekelo - Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Baram. More Info: Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's Partner Matt Seu and COO Kerry Wekelo discuss mortgage industry updates, trends, and expectations for the year ahead. Matt shares insights and feedback he has received while attending various industry events. They discuss how housing supply shortages and high-interest rates affect the industry and the importance of affordable housing, bank stability, and fintech. Listen to learn more about: - Updates and insights that influence the future trends - Housing market and interest rate projections - Changes we might see with banks and lenders - Factors that could contribute to positive market changes in the future About Matt Seu Matt is a Partner at Actualize Consulting, managing the Mortgage & Fixed Income practice. With three decades of experience in the mortgage industry, Matt is a wealth of information and a true thought leader committed to moving the industry forward through digital transformation and standardizing how the mortgage industry communicates. Before his time at Actualize, he served as a Vice President for Freddie Mac, focusing on large-scale business and technology change efforts. Matt is a two-time winner of MISMO's prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award and the 2023 Industry Titans Award. - Email: mseu@actualizeconsulting.com About Kerry Wekelo Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. - Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Seu. More Info: Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Director Paul Baram, and Senior Manager Martin Santiago discuss Actualize Consulting's international expansion, the cultural and professional differences between countries (and even regions), and the importance of connecting everyone through company culture.Listen to learn more about:- Understanding the cultural aspects of each region- Integrating new teams with established teams- Utilizing company culture as a connector About Paul Baram- Paul is Director of Actualize Consulting's UK office and their Treasury and Capital Markets projects. His 20 plus years of experience include international project management, business requirements, system design, treasury system implementation, testing and managing project execution. Paul specializes in Corporate Treasury overall solution architecture, and business process design. He holds a MSc. in Surface Chemistry from the University of Bristol.- Email: pbaram@actualizeconsulting.com About Kerry Wekelo- Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About Martin Santiago- Martin is a Senior Manager of Actualize Consulting's Treasury and Capital Markets LATAM office. He is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years of global management experience. His expertise includes treasury, corporate finance, cash management, and TMS implementation. Martin is a results-oriented and team-oriented leader with a continuous improvement approach, with a focus on minimizing costs, maximizing process efficiencies, and adding value to companies. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Universidad Panamericana.- Email: msantiago@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions, please contact Kerry Wekelo. More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's Partner Matt Seu and COO Kerry Wekelo discuss Matt's history with Actualize, his passion for moving the mortgage industry forward, and what it is like to be part of the innovation that is changing the industry.Listen to learn more about:- Mortgage industry changes- The history of MISMO- TransformX innovation- What the future looks like About Matt Seu- Matt is a Partner at Actualize Consulting, managing the Mortgage & Fixed Income practice. With three decades of experience in the mortgage industry, Matt is a wealth of information and a true thought leader committed to moving the industry forward through digital transformation and standardizing how the mortgage industry communicates. Before his time at Actualize, he served as a Vice President for Freddie Mac, focusing on large-scale business and technology change efforts. Matt is a two-time winner of MISMO's prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award and the 2023 Industry Titans Award.- Email: mseu@actualizeconsulting.com About Kerry Wekelo- Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Seu.More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's Founder and Principal Chad Wekelo and our Chief Operating Officer, Kerry Wekelo discuss the inception of Actualize 20 years ago what you can see from Actualize in the future. You will learn:- How the name Actualize Consulting was determined.- Why the business was formed.- What you will see looking forward.About Chad Wekelo- Chad Wekelo, CFA, CPA, is the Founder and Principal at Actualize Consulting and leads the Capital Markets and Treasury practice group for the firm. Chad is a subject matter expert in Treasury, Risk Management, and Accounting with specialization in financial transformation, vendor evaluations and implementations of Treasury, Risk Management and Accounting systems. He is a licensed CPA and holds the CFA designation. About Kerry Wekelo- Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review.
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's Director of HR and Operations Theresa Santoro, and Senior Consultants Alli Twitchell and Joseph Lamothe discuss how gratitude is incorporated into the award-winning culture at Actualize. They share their personal and professional experiences in staying grounded in gratitude.Listen to learn:- Why a focus on gratitude is important- Strategies to bring gratitude to your team- Crowd-pleasing corporate giving-back events- How to incorporate gratitude personally and professionally About Theresa Santoro- Theresa is Director of Human Resources and Operations at Actualize Consulting. She has extensive experience managing daily business operations, including overseeing all aspects of recruiting operations, human resources, client management, employee management and training, and the complex initiatives that support a diverse international organization.- Email: tsantoro@actualizeconsulting.com About Alli Twitchell- Alli is a Senior Consultant in the Treasury & Capital Markets practice at Actualize Consulting. Alli is a dedicated and hardworking accountant with experience in all areas of Accounting, Treasury, and Leadership. She is detail-oriented and passionate about mentoring and teaching others.- Email: atwitchell@actualizeconsulting.com About Joseph Lamothe- Joseph is a Senior Consultant in the Mortgage & Fixed Income practice at Actualize Consulting. He is committed to learning all aspects of the mortgage industry along with Actualize's business. Joseph is known for willingly sharing his knowledge with his coworkers and providing clients with excellent customer service.- Email: jlamothe@actualizeconsulting.com
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's Partner Matt Seu and COO Kerry Wekelo discuss how the economy is impacting the mortgage industry, the effects of interest rates, affordable housing and the road ahead.Listen to learn:- Impact of interest rates and inflation- Effect on technology companies- Outlook for originators and servicing- Affordable housing and wealth equityAbout Kerry WekeloKerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.comAbout Matt Seu:Matt is a Partner at Actualize Consulting, managing the Mortgage & Fixed Income practice. With three decades of experience in the mortgage industry, Matt is a wealth of information and a true thought leader committed to moving the industry forward through digital transformation and standardizing how the mortgage industry communicates. Before his time at Actualize, he served as a Vice President for Freddie Mac, focusing on large-scale business and technology change efforts. Matt is also a two-time winner of MISMO's prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award.- Email: mseu@actualizeconsulting.comThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it.
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KERRY WEKELO is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services firm. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, FORTUNE Best Small & Medium Workplaces TM, and Best and Brightest ELITE National Winner in Strategic Company Performance category. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry received the 2021 Women with Vision Award and has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com LinkedIn: kerryelam Twitter: kerrywekelo Instagram: kerrywekelo YouTube: KWekeloYouTube Gratitude Infusion: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/gratitude-infusion.html Culture Infusion: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/culture-infusion.html Interactive Sessions: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/interactive-sessions.html
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Director of HR/Operations Theresa Santoro, and Licensed Professional Counselor JC McDaniel discuss how mental health challenges in the workplace can be supported with actionable tips, strategies, and techniques to ensure optimum mental health.Listen to learn:- Personal struggles and solution for dealing with anxiety and fear - Triggers and helpful mental health strategies- Tips to support mental health in the workplaceAbout Kerry WekeloKerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About Theresa SantoroTheresa is Director of Human Resources and Operations at Actualize Consulting. She has extensive experience managing daily business operations, including overseeing all aspects of recruiting operations, human resources, client management, employee management and training, and the complex initiatives that support a diverse international organization.- Email: tsantoro@actualizeconsulting.com About JC McDanielJC McDaniel is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Arkansas. JC previously served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps for ten years. He has been in practice since 2012 and in private practice for the past six years. He is currently the Clinical Director for Argenta Counseling and Wellness in Little Rock, Arkansas, specializing in trauma therapy and relationship counseling. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions or would like to bring mental health awareness to your organization, please contact Kerry.More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo and Managing Director Geran Combs discuss best practices that set your team up for success and prepare you for a relaxing vacation.Listen to learn:- Strategies for communication that support unplugging- Ensuring effective coverage to reduce stress- Transitioning back into the office after vacationAbout Kerry WekeloKerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.comAbout Geran CombsGeran is Managing Director at Actualize Consulting. He has detailed knowledge of the Mortgage and Banking Industry, MISMO, Data Operations, project management, customer/client relationship management, and a full understanding of Data Warehousing, Data Quality/Verification Concepts, and outstanding problem analysis skills. Geran's expertise benefits Actualize's clients as they work to meet their regulatory, competitive, and operational goals.- Email: gcombs@actualizeconsulting.comThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. If you have any questions, please contact Kerry or Geran.More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com
KERRY WEKELO, MBA, is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services firm. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Connect with Kerry https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryelam/ Join the Inspiration Contagion movement: Subscribe to Inspiration Contagion on your favorite podcast player and share it. Reach out to your host, Holly at https://hollyjeanjackson.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyjjackson/ email at holly@hollyjeanjackson.com Get your copy of the book: https://www.amazon.com/Inspiration-Contagion-Health-Secrets-Success/dp/1954047444/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RU20QS7LLPCO&keywords=inspiration+contagion&qid=1680782585&sprefix=inspiration+contagion%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1
KERRY WEKELO, MBA, is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services firm. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A923Ndkyn4M
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo and Senior Manager John Kruger discuss best practices for a successful remote Treasury Management System Implementation. Listen to learn:- Common challenges faced in remote TMS implementations and how to combat them- A six-phase approach to smooth implementations- Project management styles that foster a clean transitionAbout Kerry Wekelo- Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes.- Email: kelam@actualizeconsulting.com About John Kruger - Senior Manager at Actualize Consulting with over 10 years of experience. He specializes in Treasury and risk management, cash management and forecasting, payments, cash accounting process, training and development, support process reviews and documentation, SaaS implementations, project management, and relationship management.- Email: jkruger@actualizeconsulting.com Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review to let us know how you like it. More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com
Kerry Alison Wekelo is Award-Winning Author, Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, Founder of Zendoway, and Creator of Zendoway Cubes. She released her best selling book "Culture Infusion" which highlights 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture. What I love about Kerry's personal story is how she started writing with a kids book prior to her corporate books and combines business and wellness in such an inspiring way. This episode will motivate you to make moves at your organization, guaranteed!
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo joins team building expert Carlos Valdes-Dapena to discuss a formula for collaboration rooted in human psychology. You will learn: - What is often overlooked in traditional team building approaches- How to best motivate your people and create a high-achieving mindset- How differentiating values from motives can drive behavior- The psychology behind Carlos' six practices for collaboration and teamwork- Collaboration considerations for remote and hybrid offices About Kerry Wekelo - Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, FORTUNE Best Small & Medium Workplaces™, and Best and Brightest ELITE National Winner in Communication and Shared Vision category. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. About Carlos Valdes-Dapena - Keynote speaker, author, and organization development professional with over 30 years of experience supporting global corporations, including Mars, Inc., and IBM. He has written two books on teamwork: "Lessons from Mars: How One Global Company Cracked the Code on High Performance Collaboration and Teamwork" and “Virtual Teams: Holding the Center When You Can't Meet Face-to-Face.” Both books are based on original research Carlos conducted during his 18 years as an internal consultant at Mars, where he worked with iconic brands such as M&M's, Snickers, and Wrigley's gum. In addition to his speaking and writing, Carlos is the Managing Principal of Corporate Collaboration Resources, LLC, an organization and group effectiveness consulting firm specializing in creating and sustaining cultures of collaboration. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review. Links & More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com
In this episode, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Founder of Gratitude Circle Najma Khorrami, and Financial Services Product Management Executive Millicent Tracey discuss the personal and professional benefits of gratitude.You will learn: - How to generate growth by investing in gratitude - Easy infusions of gratitude that create a culture and environment of mutual respect - To improve communication, connection, and client satisfaction by cultivating a positive attitude- The importance of connecting personal gratitude to your professional life About Kerry Wekelo - Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. About Najma Khorrami, MPH.- Global and public health professional and writer. She is the founder at Gratitude Circle, a free social media app and tech startup dedicated to gratitude and positivity. She is a published author on the topic of global maternal health in peer reviewed publications. As a writer, Najma has contributed to Psychology Today, Mindful.org, Success Magazine, Huffington Post, and more. She is the upcoming author of two books that focus on self-care and gratitude. You can read her recent Entrepreneur Magazine article, “4 Ways Net Profit Margins Equals Happiness in Life” at the following link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/369927 About Millicent Tracey - Financial services product management executive with over 20 years of experience assisting public fintech companies and startups develop B2B payment strategy. Her career reflects a demonstrated track record of leading strategic growth initiatives, advising on digital payments transformation, and designing and delivering innovative technology solutions. Millicent understands cyber and financial fraud risks and has developed risk mitigation strategies for digital payment products. She also brings governance experience through her advisory work with corporate and nonprofit boards, including audit and finance committees. Recognized as a thought leader, Millicent is a frequent speaker in the industry. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don't forget to rate this episode and leave a review. Links & More Info:Website: www.actualizeconsulting.comIf you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com
“We have this fun work culture that people really want to be a part of.” ~Kerry Wekelo How Kerry Aligns Gratitude in her Financial Services Company Kerry is the COO of Actualize Consulting, a financial services consulting firm specializing in capital markets and treasury, mortgage and fixed income, and culture. She has been on its leadership team for close to two decades. She utilizes mindful strategies to infuse gratitude, empathy, and communication throughout all levels of her organization. Kerry says, “It is my passion and why I love my job.” “In the first five years with the company, we were focused financially and operationally on getting the business up and running.” She realized they needed to shift their focus when she looked at their high turnover rate. Kerry changed the direction to being people-centered to retain their employees. “We have a culture in which we celebrate one another, and people want to celebrate. You want to give your peers awards.” Since this time, their turnover rate has been less than 4%, and Actualize Consulting was named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. “Not only do we see our retention going up, but we're also winning awards.” People tell her that the workplace feels more like family than a shared office environment. Working Remote Pre-Pandemic Her consulting firm likes to give people their space. Even before the pandemic, Kerry's work structure was remote with bringing people together during meetings and events. “I like to give people their space and entrust them to get the job done.” Culture Infusion and Putting Clients First Her book, Gratitude Infusion, published last July, talks about how Kerry infuses gratitude into her workplace culture. Using her nine principles, you too can build and manage a thriving organization. Listen in as we talk about why building a culture and infusing important people connections is essential for your business and why it's crucial to lead with gratitude.
Kerry Wekelo is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services consulting firm. Her latest book is, “Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture” and her book and program, “Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture,” is the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Inside this Episode: Identifying Cultural Red Flags Building Thriving Cultures at a Distance The Importance of Commitment and Consistency in Culture Building Connections with Remote Teams Creating a Gratitude-Focused Organization Why Gratitude Starts at the Top A No-Cost Approach to Creating Energy and Enthusiasm The Power of Questions in Creating Organizational Self-Awareness To Grow Your Company, Grow Your People Bringing Mindfulness Into Your Organization Links: LinkedIn Twitter Website Books
Our Lead Up guest in Episode 210 is Ms. Kerry Wekelo. Kerry is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services firm. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes In today's podcast, you will learn more about “Gratitude Infusion” and how you can make this a part of your leadership culture. We discuss how you can make gratitude a successful process in the workplace? Kerry will share a few ways you can use gratitude to build your teams? Why is gratitude certain to work in uncertain times? We even discuss the hard topic of if team members don't believe in gratitude or having a really bad day and don't want to participate? And finally how frequently should you be using gratitude as a tool? As well as many more things about culture and leadership. Kerry may be reached directly at kelam@actualizeconsulting.com Or learn more about Actualize Consulting at https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/ Make sure you get a copy of our Daily Compass Tool. We have a special surprise coming soon.
Create New Futures | How Leaders Produce Breakthroughs and Transform the World through Conversation
Kerry Wekelo is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a firm that specializes in optimizing financial services. Kerry is also a coach, keynote speaker, and author of the books, Culture Infusion and Gratitude Infusion, which provide practical advice on how to build a thriving organizational culture. In this episode, Aviv and Kerry explore the concepts of Culture Infusion and Gratitude Infusion. They delve deep into the importance of self-awareness, honesty, and empathy within organizations. Finally, Aviv and Kerry share best practices on how individuals and businesses can practice gratitude to foster personal and professional growth. 00:40 – Aviv introduces today’s guest, Kerry Wekelo who speaks to what she enjoys most about the work she does at Actualize Consulting 05:56 – Kerry expounds on how she coaches Intentional Leadership and shares the Pause, Pivot Strategy she has curated 09:18 – The importance of self-awareness 13:17 – Kerry defines and elaborates on the practice of Gratitude Infusion 18:45 – Advice Kerry would give to those struggling to find ways to practice gratitude 22:35 – Why gratitude is so critical to ensure a thriving organizational culture and best practices for integrating gratitude into parenting 28:04 – Two learnings Kerry values above all others and parting words of wisdom from Kerry FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.avivconsulting.com/cnf99
Welcome to Episode 246 of the Yeukai Business Show. In this episode, Kerry Wekelo and I discuss how to be successful in creating a thriving organizational culture. So if you want to re-establish your organization's culture, learn how to handle challenges as a team, and train your people to succeed so you can grow your business in the process, tune in now! In this episode, you'll discover: Proven principles in keeping a thriving culture in an organization;Effective communication techniques most organizations overlook today;How to start implementing these key practices in any organization;The most common mistake organizations make when attempting to create a thriving culture;And more! About Kerry Kerry Wekelo, MBA, is an expert in organizational culture whose accomplishments include: Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services consulting firmFounder of Zendoway, a company that encourages holistic wellness.An in demand executive coach, consultant, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur.Her books and programs are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine,Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, SHRM, Thrive Global, Corporate Wellness Magazine, and Forbes. More Information Learn more about how you can improve your results with organizational culture: Website -https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/kerrywekelo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryelam/ Links & Mentions From This Episode: Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture Thanks for Tuning In! Thanks so much for being with us this week. Have some feedback you'd like to share? Please leave a note in the comments section below! If you enjoyed this episode on creating a thriving organizational culture, please share it with your friends by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates for our "Yeukai Business Show!" And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get. Please leave a review here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/yeukai-business-show/id1231475990 Thanks for listening!
Kerry Wekelo is the Chief Operating Officer of the Culture Infusion program for Actualize Consulting, and an author. Her latest book, Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture, delivers practical strategies to develop a gratitude-based work climate and improve the efficacy of organizations. She joins Marcel Schwantes to discuss how you can infuse more gratitude into your leadership practices and organizational culture. Research has shown that people who are grieving loss or going through difficult periods in their lives have used gratitude as a coping method, and it has worked well and helped them move on. Gratitude is a really easy way to pivot your emotional state, according to Robert Emmons. [5:05] Actualized Consulting went from a 33% turnover rate to less than 4% by infusing gratitude into their culture, claims Kerry. The first 5 years were more focused on financial and operational stability, and not on their people, but they quickly discovered the value in expressing gratitude, and implemented practices into their regular internal operations. [7:24] Marcel asks Kerry what the obstacles may be for leaders who are sceptical about the outcomes of gratitude. “People are so busy and feel like they have to be doing so much that they don’t take a moment to pause and realize that gratitude doesn’t take much time,” she responds. They don’t prioritize it because they may not believe in it, Marcel adds. [10:40] Kerry and Marcel discuss how gratitude works in times of uncertainty. Kerry shares how she has been using gratitude as a coping tool to stay grounded. Marcel advises listeners to also use gratitude whenever they are experiencing difficult times. [13:24] Marcel asks Kerry why she thinks some leaders still lead through fear. “They just haven’t experienced or been exposed to it [love],” she replies. “People don’t think it’s numbers driven, but if you think about it, it can reduce your turnover and have higher productivity.” [19:39] Resources Kerry Wekelo on LinkedIn | Twitter KerryAlison.com ActualizeConsulting.com Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture
In this episode, Joy Dushey speaks with Kerry Wekelo. Kerry is a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. She has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified.
Kerry Wekelo is an author and the Chief Operating Officer of the Culture Infusion program for Actualize Consulting. Her most recent book, Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture, is a practical guide to implementing action plans that improve the work climate. She joins Kevin Monroe to discuss her book and how its principles apply. Gateway to Abundance Gratitude is the gateway to abundance, Kevin says. It is easier to focus on what we lack or what we’ve lost due to our negativity bias. However, no amount of regret changes the past and no amount of anxiety changes the future, but any amount of gratitude has the power to change your present. Shifting one’s mindset towards gratitude during challenging periods can relieve feelings of negativity, Kerry advises. There is always something to be grateful for. She describes an experience in which expressing gratitude for someone she considered a friend enabled her to repair their relationship, which was interrupted by feelings of hurt. What Gratitude Does Life challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, but rather, help you discover who you are. Focusing on gratitude allows you to move forward into being the best version of yourself. Kerry urges listeners who may be experiencing difficulties in their personal and professional lives to practice gratitude by connecting with people that inspire them. People want to do a good job, she adds, and they will be more motivated to put more effort into their work if they feel genuinely appreciated. You can start by finding one person on your team and expressing your gratitude, emphasizing why they earned it. It will make a difference in the organization. Kerry shares an experience in which she expressed her gratitude to everyone in her company and they doubled their reciprocation of her gratitude. Infusion Kevin asks Kerry what infusion means. Kerry defines infusion by using an analogy she learned from her grandmother: when cooking, you do not just add flavor to the food and call it a day. You must layer the flavors so that it is present in every bite. Similarly, gratitude must be a regular practice that is present in every level of an organization. It has to be cultivated and nurtured continuously. Receiving gratitude is often harder than practicing it. Kevin and Kerry urge listeners to graciously accept gratitude when it is expressed, because it is coming from a place of sincerity that should not be overlooked. Resources Kerry Wekelo on LinkedIn | Twitter KerryAlison.com ActualizeConsulting.com Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture Episode 118: Infusing Your Company with Culture Kevin Monroe on LinkedIn | Twitter Email: kevin@higherpurposepodcast.com Call or text Kevin: 678-744-5111 Join the community: KevinDMonroe.com/decade
Kerry Wekelo is the COO of Actualize Consulting and author of the books Culture Infusion and Gratitude Infusion. She leads a financial services consulting firm, offering consulting, training, and team building to guide firms to create and maintain thriving organizational cultures. Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture Tell us about [...] The post Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture appeared first on AuthorExpertWire Podcast.
"Start with gratitude." And, "Infuse with gratitude to defuse." In this third episode of season 3 of Working Gratitude, we speak with Kerry Wekelo, COO, Actualize Consulting. Recorded in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, we address gratitude during crisis and conflict. We discuss starting difficult conversations with gratitude and appreciation. Kerry is also the author of "Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture" and soon to be released "Gratitude Infusion." We discuss using gratitude to "infuse and defuse." Her book and program resulted in Actualize Consulting being named a Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, Top Work Place by The Washington Post, and a Great Place to Work. Her educational background includes a double major in Finance/Marketing and an MBA in Information Technology. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and National Mortgage Magazine. More about Kerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryelam/ Culture Infusion: http://bit.ly/cultureinfusion Actualize Consulting: http://www.actualizeconsulting.com/ Working Gratitude: http://workinggratitude.com Working Gratitude on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-gratitude/ Darin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdarinhollingsworth/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkinGratitude/
Kerry Wekelo is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting where she is focused on enhancing team experiences by creating a work environment that supports thriving employees and a sought-after workplace. Mike Petrusky asks Kerry about her book “Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture” and they agree that employee experience begins with recruitment and continues throughout people’s entire workplace journey. By providing intentional leadership, with a focus on wellbeing, we can help to provide a work-life integration that allows for successful individuals. Kerry shares stories about finding positive resolutions to employee challenges and Mike agrees that our common human experiences require patience and understanding. You’ll be inspired to create a culture where people are empowered to bring their best selves to your organization. Connect with Kerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryelam/ Learn more about Actualize Consulting: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/ Follow Kerry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kerrywekelo Watch Kerry on YouTube: https://bit.ly/KWekeloYouTube Register for “Workplace Innovator Interactive” – our weekly livestream: https://www.iofficecorp.com/live-webinar-2020-weekly-livestream Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/ Share your thoughts with Mike via email: podcast@iOFFICECORP.com
Yesterday a co-worker sent me a note of thanks. It made me smile because he took the time to craft the note, emphasizing specifically how I had helped him. It was a simple, lovely gesture, and it made me feel good. This is the kind of fuel that Kerry Wekelo believes is needed to build and boost workplace culture. She puts gratitude at the top of her list not only for those around her, but for herself too. She makes it a daily practice to observe actions and contributions, and extend gratitude whenever she can. Gratitude is an easy way to show people the impact they’re having, and why that impact is important to an organization. And let’s face it, there isn’t a simpler way to infuse your culture with goodwill, positivity, and humanity. If you want to find out how to pull the power of thanks into your organization, listen to Kerry share motivation and examples of gratitude for self and others—and learn how far this has catapulted her and her organization towards a more purposeful and meaningful existence. About our guest: Kerry is COO of Actualize Consulting, a financial services firm, and author of Culture Infusion, which lead Actualize to being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine and Top Work Place by The Washington Post. She enjoys a good birthday celebration. Connect with Kerry on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/kerryelam/, Twitter @kerrywekelo, Instagram @kerrywekelo, or YouTube. Resources Culture Infusion the book: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/book.html Culture Infusion Seminars: http://www.actualizeconsulting.com/seminars.html Culture Infusion E-Courses: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/culture-infusion-ecourses.html To sign up for Kerry’s weekly newsletter visit: http://bit.ly/ConstantContactKW
Kerry Wekelo is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, and author of Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture. She chats with Kevin Monroe about how she helps her company and clients infuse a people-first culture into their organizations. An Inside Out Perspective Kerry explains that the book is a case study of Actualize and shows how they were able to turn around their culture from being focused on profits first, to people first. Kevin says that he appreciates that this book gives an inside out perspective. Infusing Means Layering Flavors As Kerry looks forward to 2020 she is thinking about what strategies she will improve on or new ones she will include. She emphasizes that you can’t just make a decision and never revisit it: it’s a constant, continuous journey of putting people first and keeping up with the times, similar to how you would layer flavors in a dish you are cooking. That’s why her book is called Culture Infusion. When Actualize decided to put their people first, they layered that principle into every touchpoint, such as their newsletter, their monthly All Hands calls, and even when Kerry checks in with new recruits. What we’re doing, she says, is a lot of little things that are infusing the people-first principle, and it’s really making a big difference. Throughout the organization people feel supported and appreciated. Building From Your Heart Kevin asks Kerry to unpack a quote from the book, “When it all comes down to it as the leader the most solid foundation on which you can build is your heart.” She explains that it’s important to check your gut instinct when you’re making decisions. She trusts her intuition then brings in the analytical business case. Defining Culture Both Kerry and Kevin share their definition of culture. To Kerry, culture is the pulse of the organization. Kevin defines culture as the way we do things around here. Kerry feels gratified that prospective employees all feel that what they heard about Actualize turns out to be true - that it’s a great place to work. Principles They Live By One of the nine principles Kerry discusses in her book is surveying the team. She says that they seek feedback on several topics throughout the year. They always let their employees know what they decided based on their feedback; and if they didn’t decide to do something, they let everyone know why. Kevin asks how her process has changed since she wrote the book. She comments that she has been focusing more on gratitude in the company as well as in her seminars. Resources Kerry Wekolo on LinkedIn | Twitter Actualize Consulting Join the Gratitude Challenge Call Kevin: 678-744-5111 Email: kevin@higherpurposepodcast.com
Just about everyone has at least one complaint about their workplace. That’s where Kerry Wekelo comes in. She’s created a program to help companies turn things around - focusing on communication, work/life balance and bringing wellness into the office. Kerry is a coach, yoga instructor, award-winning author of Culture Infusion and HR Director at Actualize Consulting. Kerry's program and insights have been featured on several media outlets, including ABC, NBC, NPR Marketplace, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Inc. and New York Post. We talk about connecting mindfulness with the workplace. She lets you in on her number one secret to do this - the three 'P's. We also chatted about avoiding gossip, what YOU can do if you’re in a workplace that has low morale and how you can bring mindfulness in. She also walks us through a quick breathing exercise you can use in your own day. I’m going to create a bonus episode with JUST THE BREATHING that you can check out as many times as you'd like. CONNECT WITH KERRY: Website Facebook Instagram Guided Relaxations CONNECT WITH DANIELLE: Facebook Instagram Twitter Website This podcast is brought to you by the Mail Tribune. Check out more Mail Tribune podcasts here.
Wednesday June 26th Culture Infusion "Grace and Empowerment"
Culture Infusion "Honor"