MICHELE HERLEIN is a leading expert in organizational culture and transformation, with over twenty years of experience creating intentional cultures that drive business success. As executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Barge Design Solutions, she led cultural initiatives that increased profits sevenfold while maintaining industry-low turnover rates. Previously, she spearheaded successful cultural transformations at Bridgestone Americas and Bandag, Inc.

Combining practical experience with academic rigor, Michele holds a doctorate in business administration focused on organizational development. As founder and CEO of CultureMax, she helps organizations achieve cultural excellence through her proven horizontal and vertical alignment methodology. Her work has earned her recognition as HR Executive of the Year, and her client organizations consistently outperform industry standards in both employee satisfaction and financial results.