Our Team
Rick Thomas
President & CEO
Rick Thomas graduated in 1985 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with a degree in Finance. He spent 10 years in the banking and insurance industries, but his true passion is Sociology - fascinated by why people do what they do and how populations respond.
An entrepreneur at heart, Thomas opened The Chariot Group, Inc., in 1999, an enterprise that is globally recognized for its expertise in videoconferencing system design, installation and integration. In December 2016, he launched the STRIVE Group to address a growing market need for a variety of consulting services focusing on leadership, workforce investments and business sustainability. Thomas is a respected industry leader and torchbearer of digital transformation, using a platform of innovation to connect people with ideas and solutions.
An entrepreneur at heart, Thomas opened The Chariot Group, Inc., in 1999, an enterprise that is globally recognized for its expertise in videoconferencing system design, installation and integration. In December 2016, he launched the STRIVE Group to address a growing market need for a variety of consulting services focusing on leadership, workforce investments and business sustainability. Thomas is a respected industry leader and torchbearer of digital transformation, using a platform of innovation to connect people with ideas and solutions.
Heather Kinzie
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Kinzie serves as the Chief Operating Officer for The STRIVE Group. With more than 20 years of organizational and workforce performance experience, Kinzie offers consultation; facilitation and mediation; content development and training; and coaching to clients around the country. She oversees a team of experts who utilize a broad, systematic and collaborative approach to analysis, problem solving and consultation.
Recognizing the critical importance of leadership, communication and effective engagement among teams, Kinzie has spent years learning, applying, evaluating and refining her theories on group dynamics, relationships, problem solving and motivation. Kinzie's clients appreciate her authenticity and creative, pragmatic insights and ideas to improve their leadership abilities, their teams and ultimately their organizations.
Kinzie is a sought-after national keynote speaker, noted for bringing humor, genuineness and practical perspectives to her presentations. Her relevant and inspiring content resonates with audiences, engaging participants to step into new spaces.
Recognizing the critical importance of leadership, communication and effective engagement among teams, Kinzie has spent years learning, applying, evaluating and refining her theories on group dynamics, relationships, problem solving and motivation. Kinzie's clients appreciate her authenticity and creative, pragmatic insights and ideas to improve their leadership abilities, their teams and ultimately their organizations.
Kinzie is a sought-after national keynote speaker, noted for bringing humor, genuineness and practical perspectives to her presentations. Her relevant and inspiring content resonates with audiences, engaging participants to step into new spaces.
Nance Larsen
Vice President, Integrated Marketing & Communications
Nance Larsen, APR, Fellow PRSA, is the Vice President, Integrated Marketing & Communications for The STRIVE Group and serves as Managing Editor for STRIVE Magazine and The STRIVE Project.
With extensive capabilities spanning a wide range of industries and world-renowned brands, Larsen brings more than two decades of strategic communications, public relations and multi-media experience to The STRIVE Group. Innovation, creativity, thought-leadership and authenticity are keystones of her work.
Globally recognized for her expertise in crisis communications, brand architecture, storytelling, media relations, corporate positioning/messaging and reputation management, Larsen is dedicated to creating opportunities for collaborative communication that supports an informed public.
With extensive capabilities spanning a wide range of industries and world-renowned brands, Larsen brings more than two decades of strategic communications, public relations and multi-media experience to The STRIVE Group. Innovation, creativity, thought-leadership and authenticity are keystones of her work.
Globally recognized for her expertise in crisis communications, brand architecture, storytelling, media relations, corporate positioning/messaging and reputation management, Larsen is dedicated to creating opportunities for collaborative communication that supports an informed public.
Jessica Villacorta
Training Coordinator and Moderator
Jessica Villacorta is the Training Coordinator & Training Moderator for The STRIVE Group. Villacorta is a seven-year veteran serving in the U.S. Army, and a full-time student. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with specialization in cyber security. Villacorta adds training and development, instructional technology to The STRIVE Group. She is skilled in assessing an organization needs, developing content to meet those needs and delivering it through on-demand, in-person and distance learning methods.
Kelsey Richardson
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Kelsey Richardson joined The STRIVE Group in March of 2019 after moving to Alaska from Washington State. She has more than 10 years of sales and event management experience in the hospitality and non-profit industries. With an eye for detail and passion for cultivating relationships, Richardson supports The STRIVE Group’s marketing efforts and manages the organization's special events.
Affiliates
Jim Bates
Jim Bates’ vast career spans more than 30 years with proficiencies in business and project management and information technology. Well versed in quality improvement and outcome-based learning, he offers consultation and training on infrastructure, management and leadership. His passion for efficiency and continual learning serves as a catalyst for organization improvement in a variety of industries.
Woodrie Burich
Woodrie Burich has more than 20 years of expertise in corporate sales and strategic business consulting. She builds upon this experience to offer valuable insight into wellness and stress management to a variety of clients and industries. Her counsel provides the perfect blend for individuals wanting to create productive and sustainable balance in their work lives.
Diane Decker
Diane Decker grew up in Human Resources and she drew upon that experience to begin her consultancy. From there, she developed expertise in strategic planning, quality improvement, and leadership. While she is never far from her roots, a full host of training, facilitation and coaching services compliment her HR offerings. She believes that simplicity and commitment are key drivers of success and ensures her advice and counsel are straightforward and likely to produce sustainable positive results.
Tracy Hazen
Tracy Hazen is a 20-year Human Resource (HR) veteran whose career has largely focused on building and/or optimizing HR infrastructures that are scalable, compliant and truly useful. Her areas of HR expertise include operations, recruiting, policy development, employee relations, labor law and OFCCP compliance. A nimble problem solver, Hazen’s commitment to forthright, authentic solutions enables clients to focus on their core business with confidence that they have the right HR systems in place.
Kristin Helvey
Kristin Helvey has more than 10 years of experience in such areas as multicultural communications and community partnership development. She consults with and assists organizations across community sectors in improving communications strategy and execution. Her insights boost leaders’ understanding of communication as it relates to business priorities and sustainability.
Amit Kataby
Amit Kataby is a self-realization guide, a powerhouse speaker and a maverick storyteller. She guides people through the journey of self-discovery so they can meet their authentic self and live a powerful life beyond their ego, name and form. Creating a safe space for people to be themselves and share authentically without the fear of being judged is her art.
Jonathan King
Jonathan King draws upon more than 20 years of experience working in economics and leadership to ensure his consultation and coaching is practical and valuable. His expertise in business and data management, teamed with his keen intuition on leadership philosophy serve to enlighten clients of all industries. He values integrity, accountability, personal growth and humor and these values serve as the foundation for his consultation and coaching.
Karen Kirk
Karen Kirk has more than 25 years of experience advising leaders and their teams in a plethora of industries. She develops and presents energetic training programs, facilitates engaging planning and performance sessions, and provides counsel and assistance in improving processes and protocols. Her expertise in change management, communication and healthy work relationships ensure her advice and counsel is pragmatic and immediately useful.
Ben Leonard
Ben Leonard has more than eight years of experience in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) roles in various industries, most recently serving as an HSE director at an oil and gas company. Leonard is an active trainer for both PEC and the American Red Cross. He is also certified to teach PEC SafeLand Basic, PEC Basic Pipeline, PEC SafeGulf, PEC Core Compliance, and American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED classes.
Greg McCully
Greg McCully is a board-certified safety professional with 19 years of health and safety experience in various industries. Previously, McCully served in a director-level role where he championed a risk-based approach to health and safety across both upstream and midstream businesses. This role required an analysis against risk to people, business and community, as well as regulatory compliance needs, industry best practices and good engineering practices. McCully utilizes his vast experience to help companies achieve best in class Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).
Tracy Stewart
For more than 30 years, Tracy Stewart has been guiding individuals and organizations to transformative “ah-ha” moments. A skilled listener with an uncanny ability to discern the core of a concern or reveal the hidden opportunity in a challenge, she utilizes coaching, training, education and facilitation to foster growth and change. Her extensive career she includes a range of roles from entrepreneur/founder to vice president. Her expertise lies in the areas of strategic planning, leadership development and organization development, as well as diversity, civility and inclusion. She is a compelling and engaging speaker, who distills complex concepts into narratives that touch the heart and inspire the mind.
Mykal White
Mykal White is a change maker with more than two decades of experience in sales, training and leadership development. White's "Sweet Spot" is helping organizations take concrete steps to ensure that continuous learning is in place to build strong cultures. She works with people and organizations committed to taking action and seeing lasting and measurable change. Her roster of clients includes Infor, Yelp, LinkedIn, Microsoft, ClassPass, Raymond Jams and New York Life.
Bobbie Sue Wolk
Bobbie Sue Wolk, MS, PCC, BCC, is a certified executive coach, mentor coach, health and well-being coach, industrial-organizational psychologist, accountant, business consultant, adjunct professor and author. As a 27-year entrepreneur, Wolk is an experienced businessperson, who helps organizations achieve success operating with integrity, ethics and professionalism; she helps you help yourself.