First Team
Denise Nelsen
I’m not here to play it safe—I’m here to help people and businesses grow into their best possible selves. I lead with heart, guts, and a sharp eye for what’s possible (even when things look messy). Whether I’m guiding leaders through tough decisions, helping teams reset their culture, or a brand through big, bold transformation—I bring clarity, calm, and a little fire to the table.
I’ve spent 20+ years leading at the highest levels—most recently as CEO of Smashburger, where I helped reignite the brand and build a powerhouse team. Before that, I spent nearly two decades at Starbucks leading billion-dollar businesses, navigating crises (hello, pandemic), building inclusive cultures, and mentoring leaders at every level. If you want someone who knows how to scale, steady the ship, or flip the script—I’ve been there. I’ve done it.
But here’s what really drives me: I’m obsessed with unlocking potential—in people, teams, and brands. I believe leadership is human, culture is everything, trust is integral, and the best strategy in the world means nothing without people who believe in it. I work with founders, executives, and companies who are ready to grow on purpose—not just for the bottom line, but for the long haul.
Also: I’m a certified yoga teacher, which means I bring as much presence and breath as I do business acumen. I’ve been called a “calm force in the chaos,” a “real one,” and once—my favorite—“the exec I’d most want in a foxhole.”
If you’re looking for a straight-shooting, big-hearted partner to help you grow, evolve, or just figure out what’s next—I’m your person.
Co-Architect
Executive Whisperer, Culture Shifter,
Growth Junkie
Jen Randle
I am a humanist strategist, systems thinker, and cultural architect whose work lives at the intersection of bold vision and grounded execution.
As the founder of SGNL, I partner with organizations navigating crucible moments—when trust is fractured, alignment is unclear, and the next chapter demands more than a surface solution. I activate Brand Trust Networks: strategic, cultural, and behavioral systems that ensure organizations move with integrity, both internally and externally.
My approach is deeply informed by my belief that human beings are the starting point for any meaningful change. I create spaces where individuals, teams, and organizations can find their way to their original best—envisioning bold futures and operating from a place of abundance.
My portfolio includes transformative work with companies like Nike, Pinterest, Virgin Brands, Juul Labs, WeWork, and Starbucks. Notably, in 2018, I played a pivotal role in implementing an unconscious bias conversation for 175,000 employees across 8,000 Starbucks stores, guiding the company's response to a racially charged incident in Philadelphia.
Beyond organizational systems, I am the creator of Intrinsic Wayfinding—a personal alignment practice that guides individuals back to their internal compass. This work is for anyone ready to live boldly, truthfully, and on purpose.
As a native Californian, I am grateful to be back on the w(b)est coast, living with my pups and soaking in all the very best that coastal living has to offer.
Co-Architect
Strategic advisor, systems thinker, and cultural architect focused on aligning identity, leadership, and trust—at scale and in self.
