KRISTIN JOY EKKENS
MA, CDE, CHPC
Global Thought Leader
Joy Architect | Culture Designer | Movement Entrepreneur
Subject Matter Expertise: Culture & Performance
Profile
PROFILE SUMMARY
Kristin is a TEDx speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, executive coach, global leader, team-builder, strategic advisor, and master facilitator who has dedicated over two decades (20+ years) to igniting culture transformation and global leadership development. Known for her forward-thinking approach, Kristin helps organizations of every size and sector foster inclusive, innovative, and high performing cultures while placing humanity at the center. Whether she's advising C-suite executives or leading immersive workshops around the globe, Kristin blends her deep expertise in culture, innovation, talent, inclusion, change, and performance to create lasting impact — empowering leaders to evolve, teams to collaborate, companies to thrive, and communities.
QUALIFICATIONS
Kristin is a graduate of Stanford Graduate School of Business' flagship executive innovation program (LEAD). Her exceptional work was recognized by professors, course facilitators, and peers in courses including storytelling, design thinking, values-based leadership, leading change, power to lead, and inclusive leadership. Kristin was invited to speak the past 3 years at the Alumni Conference (Me2We) with over 700 leaders globally from highly recognized global brands.
- 15+ years in Organizational Development and Talent Management
- 15+ years building, leading and growing global teams
- Bachelor's Degree double major in Spanish and Linguistics (culture/ language/ communication)
- Master's Degree: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Advanced Certifications: Culture, Innovation, Leadership, Coaching, Change
Current
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Founder & Chief Joy Architect
Exponential Joy LLC (Remote Global)
Jan 2025 - Present
Kristin Joy Ekkens is the visionary founder of the Exponential Joy™ global movement and creator of the Joy Operating System (JOYOS™) — a blueprint for conscious leadership, wellbeing, and human flourishing. A TEDx speaker, executive coach, and social entrepreneur, she blends emotional and connectional intelligence, WellTech, modern science, and ancient wisdom to help leaders and organizations upgrade their inner operating systems. After overcoming severe burnout and autoimmune illness, Kristin developed the EPIC Joy Codes™ — Energy, Purpose, Intention, and Connection — to help others transform stress into vitality and purpose into joy.
Her mission: to rewire humanity for exponential joy
Founder & Chief Culture Designer
Exponential Inclusion LLC (Remote Global)
May 2021 - Jan 2025
Exponential Inclusion helps inclusion & belonging allies, champions, and catalysts elevate their impact through coaching, learning experiences, impact projects, and strategy consulting. Together, we create exponentially inclusive impact on a global scale. Clients included King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), USAID, Grammarly, A Michigan Public School System, Express Employment Professionals, Centrica Care Navigators, Spectrum Health, Snowline Hospice
Singularity University
Santa Clara, CA (Remote)
September 2019 - May 2021
Singularity University is a B-Corp that equips leaders, organizations, and startups with the mindset, tools, and network to tackle the world's biggest challenges. Clients include Global 1000 targeting L&D, Strategy, Innovation, and Technology
1
Head of Customer Success
February 2021 - May 2021 (Full-Time)
2
Director, Strategic Relations
September 2019 - January 2020 (Full-Time)
Testimonials
TESTIMONIALS
"Kristin does great work. I have searched for years for an actionable score card to be able to measure how our employees experience our culture. Kristin helped us develop and deploy exactly that, and we are now able to map people's experience of our culture against our 6 Guiding Principles. She also helped facilitate the integration of the tool throughout the entire company. Our teams have all enjoyed working with her." Mark Peters, CEO, Butterball Farms, Inc.
"It has been such a gift to learn from and journey with you these past months, Kristin! Thank you for all you've done to create such a safe, transformative space for us!" Faith Minnich Kjesbo
"Kristin is an excellent coach and the whole program is very well thought through. I really benefited from this program. What I found most valuable was the sharing sessions with other team members and the absolute positive vibes that emanated from Kristin." Peiying Hong, Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia)
"The High Performance Coaching Program with Kristin was exactly what I needed as a C-Suite leader to unlock the next level of personal and professional development. The personal growth was noticeable even in 12 weeks with only 1 hour each week. I'd say it actually exceeded my expectations." Monica Lloyd, Chief People Officer
"I served on the Board of the National CRC Advocates while Kristin was the Executive Director. She was a superb leader for the organization, demonstrating high levels of emotional intelligence, astute strategic insights, and a detail-oriented ability to get things done -- a very well rounded set of skills. I have nothing but the highest recommendation for Kristin." John Cleveland, Innovation Network for Communities
"Few individuals can claim to possess the skill and ability of Kristin. She is one of the rare business leaders that effectively combines business savvy, outstanding sales ability and the human touch to lead those under her to new heights personally and as a business unit." Ken Andrus, Former Director of Training & Development
"I rarely meet someone with Kristin's level of Emotional Intelligence. She has a disarming charm, a rare gift, that relaxes people and opens them up to conversation. What can I say, I am trained to look for talent!" Matt Schantz, Former Director of Organizational Development
"Kristin does everything well -- she doesn't know any other way. Intelligent, quick, reliable, punctual, honest, and kind -- I'm running out of adjectives." Professor James Vanden Bosch, English Department, Calvin University