About Keri
Founder and Executive Director
An expert on growing multi-generational workplaces and on Generation Z’s persuasions, ignitors, inhibitors, habits and interests
My Experience
With more than 30+ years in non-profit executive leadership and talent development, I have an accumulation of real experience that has informed the tools, frameworks, offerings and values of Spring.
Founding the Talent Lab
In my previous role as Chief Talent Officer at TRG Arts, I founded the Talent Lab, an incubator developing the next generation of arts administrators through live workshops and shared best practices. Through the lab, I led our team to help young professionals supercharge their skills, learn from experts and gain confidence.
Building Organizational Resilience
Before becoming TRG’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer, I served as Vice President of Client Service and as a senior consultant, presiding over consulting, database management and business intelligence services that generated millions of revenue dollars for a variety of major performing arts organizations. As consultant and VP, I advised theater, ballet, orchestral and Broadway-producing organizations on how to build resiliency through data-driven strategies in consumer relationships, financial stability, organizational frameworks and people-centric teams. I led a VIP portfolio that included New York City Ballet, the Chicago Symphony, Toronto International Film Festival, Boston Ballet and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Prior to TRG, I held executive leadership roles at Colorado Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Washington Performing Arts and the Trey McIntyre Project.
Motivating and Retaining Top Talent
At TRG, I created unique organizational culture initiatives that optimized productivity and creativity while motivating and retaining top talent. I expanded the company’s focus on human capital, bringing research and imaginative practices to employee onboarding, parental leave policies, performance reviews and high-potential employee growth plans. I also devised and conducted work-life experiments designed to iteratively evolve the organizational culture of TRG, one of the world’s most influential consulting firms dedicated to the arts.
Giving Back
Building on my expertise of developing Gen Z professionals at TRG, I serve as a Professional in Residence at my alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications’ new Experience Lab. This role has allowed me to connect with and learn directly from our magnificent Gen Z friends.
I also serve as an Advisory Council member for the Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network, and in 2022 I received the prestigious Woman of Courage, Character and Commitment award from UNL’s Women’s Center.
My Motivation and Method
A Keen Listener and An Empowering Mentor
In my 30+ years as a leader and manager, I’ve learned how to cultivate the best in people, enabling them to accomplish highly complex strategic goals. My passion is to steward people and their talent to a fully lit position. I am moved when people bloom professionally, and I privately smile to know I’ve played a role in their growth. I am a trained journalist, so by nature, I listen with exceptional intent to help clients define their drivers and inspiration.
Action-Oriented
I thrive in action-obsessed environments where people are honored as the propellant in making stunning things happen. Through my coaching work, I also have learned the importance of running “side-by-side” with clients as opposed to “ahead” of them. I build trust by being a pace-keeper as opposed to a pace-setter.
A Gen Z Champion
I love the spark I get from being around young people. I like to watch them puzzle and ponder, and see them challenge opinions and norms. I appreciate their porous brains, their mastery of tech and their entrepreneurial spirit. I am breathtakingly inspired by their vivid personalities, ambitious dreams and deep empathy.
Data-Driven
I place a high value on results. I love data in all forms and its power to quicken action. My career also has instilled in me an ethos to learn fast and adapt swiftly. My coaching work includes a multi-source quantitative analysis and an iterative reflection process to ensure I am helping leaders increase their effectiveness, impact and influence.
