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An architect of aha’s, Chris Allen, the founder of AAP, has the ability to inspire change in people. With 20+ years of experience in rapidly growing organizations, Chris has developed an ability to establish clarity, build culture and develop leaders.
Chris has worked with leaders across diverse industries and sectors, who have all benefited from his passion, experience, and practical insights. As a trusted advisor and consultant, he has helped multiple organizations create the cultural clarity necessary for their next phase of growth. And as those organizations take on the challenges of scaling, Chris’s transformational leadership approach continues to breed success.
Chris is originally from Chicago, but Charlotte is home to the Allen crew. Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Jamie, and their four children, where there is never a dull moment. On the weekend, we can expect to find him reading a book outside, anxiously watching a soccer game (wishing he was still playing) or having an authentic conversation with friends.
Senior Consultant
Brennen Oakley has a remarkable ability to ignite transformation in people. With over 13 years of leadership and team-building experience, Brennen has honed her skills in fostering personal growth and unleashing potential in the people around her. Known for her tenacity, she thrives in bringing order to chaos and finding solutions where others see none.
Her knack for effective communication shines whether addressing a large audience or engaging in one-on-one interactions, infusing infectious joy and unwavering excellence into both our office and yours.
Brennen has been a proud North Carolinian for the past 12+ years, originally hailing from Western Kentucky. As a mother of two young children, she is passionate about encouraging parents to return home at the end of the day better than they started. Alongside her husband, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and discovering the next best spot for a memorable date night.
Senior Consultant
Stephen Vaughn has 15 years of experience creating and scaling organizations nationally. Stephen is driven to unify teams, establish operational efficiencies, and expedite a company’s purpose to reach its vision. Stephen started his career in teaching and coaching after graduating from Appalachian State in 2005, and his passion for developing others has continued to grow. From startups to established organizations, his experience and passion have proven to help create cultures where people thrive.
Stephen, his wife Moira, and 3 young kids live in Charlotte NC. Stephen loves being outside with the kids, gardening, playing golf, and reading a good book on leadership.
Chief Editor
As the “curator of content”, our Chief Editor, Dana Ramsey, is happy ensuring our aap language is compelling, consistent, and correctly spelled (alliteration is a bonus). As the former President of her 7th grade, she comes from a multifaceted background, with a BS in Interior Design, and years of experience in technical writing and Human Resources, as well office design and Chamber of Commerce management. After blogging about healthy living as a hobby (did we mention she likes to read and write?), she now enjoys writing our aap story and sharing our expertise through the written word, in order to help people thrive!
Dana, her husband Chris, and their adult children are Charlotte natives, but now live in the beautiful South Carolina lowcountry, with a daughter in Brooklyn, NY. Dana can often be found working from her sunny porch, with her beloved French Bulldog by her side.
Consultant
A natural connector and galvanizer, Chris Ramsey believes people thrive when they are aligned with purpose — and he loves helping make that reality come to life. Whether he is collaborating with executives, pastors, or volunteers, he brings energy and strategic clarity. With decades of experience across nonprofit, corporate partnership, and global outreach work, he is known for bringing people together to accomplish meaningful and measurable results. He has led initiatives spanning multiple countries, built high-performing teams, and cultivated partnerships with some of the world’s most influential organizations.
Chris is a self-proclaimed coffee snob, a global taco hunter, and a devoted Arsenal FC fan. He has traveled to more than 20 countries, always searching for the best spot the locals go. Married to his high-school sweetheart for over 30 years, Chris and Dana (also on our aap team) are most fulfilled being with friends and leaders who want to make the world a better place.
Fun fact: If exceptional coffee or great tacos are nearby, Chris will find them — usually after checking the score of the latest Arsenal match.
Consultant
As a strategic thinker and builder, Kern White thrives where business strategy, leadership, and human potential meet. Raised in Rockwall, Texas, he stepped into the working world early at his father’s auto repair shop. Since then, Kern has led across sectors with depth and intention, working in more than 20 countries alongside marketplace, cultural, and spiritual leaders to strengthen communities and elevate people. Whether he is shaping business and capital strategy, guiding development and marketing direction, or helping organizations gain clarity, Kern brings seasoned insight, curiosity, and practical wisdom. He is known for seeing opportunity where others see obstacles, and helping people move toward what is possible.
Kern is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking/biking/skiing in the Colorado mountians and someone who deeply values authentic time with friends and family across the globe. He loves meaningful conversations, new adventures, and any chance to learn from other people's stories.
Kern and his wife Wendy live in Vail, Colorado. They have 3 grown children and their first grand baby on the way!
Research & Analytics
A true polyglot and unapologetic data geek, Iurie (that’s an “i,” not an “L” — pronounced Yuri) brings both brains and heart to the world of people analytics. As Director of Research & Analytics at Always About People, he leads the design of organizational assessments that uncover how clarity, culture, and leadership shape the way people think, connect, and perform together. He’s the one who turns messy human behavior into meaningful data — and somehow makes it all make sense.
Iurie holds a degree in International Economics and Management from Bocconi University in Milan, where he specialized in econometrics — because someone had to love the math behind the magic. He’s currently a PhD Candidate at the Doctoral School of Economics and Business Administration, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, researching how team cohesiveness and organizational culture clarity influence human thriving.
He speaks five languages, has an enduring passion for people analytics and game theory, and occasionally lets others win at debates (for research purposes, of course). Iurie lives in Romania with his wife, Andreea, and their two children, who serve as his daily reminder that behavioral dynamics start at home.
We will know more when he wants us to.
Always brings the BOOOOM! Chris is driven by clear purpose to change people’s lives for the better, meaningfully… Leading, guiding, and navigating others with a positive and relentless mindset to play offense and WIN! Chris is consistently awesome at contributing value on leadership coaching calls and at every speaking event, and as a result, our organization has achieved huge results and wins continue to multiply. Thank YOU!

NFP
I have had the opportunity to work with Chris and his team designing and implementing benefit structures at both Elevation and Movement . Chris has the unique ability to see culture and move people towards that goal . In teaching or coaching he leads in a positive way to empower others to believe in the mission of the organization . It has been a real blessing to see that skill set in action.

SVP – National Director Of Operations
I have worked with Chris Allen for several years now and have never met a more gifted and talented speaker. He is able to articulate the message better than anyone I know and truly is a positive influence. I would consider him an expert at understanding people, knowing the value of relationships and the different levels of leadership. I am a better person and leader because of Chris.

Account Manager At Pro-Active Performance
Chris is a dynamic and talented change maker whose effective leadership is absolutely contagious! I've had the pleasure of working with Chris informally and have seen first-hand the powerful culture he has built at Movement Mortgage. Outside of work, he is a positive influencer to all that he meets and someone that you simply want to be around!

National Director Of Affiliate Relationships At Movement Mortgage
Chris has a magnetic personality and a viable vested interest in helping others achieve their potential. Chris' emotional intelligence is off the charts and he is exceptional at helping others peel back the layers of their own obstacles and insecurities to reveal their own best self. Chis was a boss and a peer and a great partner in crime (not really, of course) and I'm better for having worked with him.

NFP - Managing Director
Chris Allen is a gifted leader who is extraordinarily impacting people. He is intentional, intelligent, wise, direct, focused, real, loving, giving and engaging. He has consistently displayed the ability to think strategically AND execute tactically - a rare combination. Chris is an excellent role model in business and life for his work associates, friends and especially his family.

Head Of People At Metabolic Living
Chris is an amazing leader. Not only does he have a business mind and incredible intuition when it comes to strategy and execution, but more amazing is Chris' natural ability to see the best in others and inspire people to accomplish more than they themselves ever thought possible. Chris is one of those amazing people that you meet in life and instantly you know he is genuine, overflowing with integrity, and truly smart.

President - The Loving Companies
Chris provides a lens into a perspective that is rooted in bringing the best out of your TEAM. He has provided insight and knowledge that has, and will continue to transform our organization in a positive way. I LOVE his passion for people, as it is a fire that burns extremely bright and is integrated into both how he lives and leads... Chris is both a leader and friend that I would highly recommend to any organization that is focused on empowering and bringing the best out of their people!
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Kuba Jewgieniew
Founder and CEO of Realty One Group