A gathering for culture leaders who are ready to pause, connect, and find their footing.

As HR and culture leaders, we're navigating what feels like a constant flow of change—new demands, shifting priorities, the pressure to make culture great, hire and retain talent, and somehow hit every goal while keeping our teams (and ourselves) intact. It's a lot. And in the rush to care for everyone else, we rarely give ourselves permission to slow down, be present, or experience joy.

This gathering is for anyone who's felt the weight of leading through transformation while trying to stay grounded—and who could use a moment to breathe, reflect, and remember they're not alone in it.

What to expect:

Brené Brown just released Strong Ground, her newest book on courageous leadership in uncertain times. At our December gathering we're diving deep into two chapters that speak directly to the moment we're in:

Chapter 8: The Anatomy of Transformation - Because transformation isn't something we do to organizations; it's something we navigate with and through people, messy as it is.

Chapter 14: Pocket Presence - About grounded confidence and that ability to stay centered even when everything feels uncertain.

You'll have the chance to see yourself in Brené's work, share your own experiences with transformation and finding your footing as a leader, and hear from peers who get it. There's magic in realizing you're not the only one feeling stretched thin or questioning your next move.

We'll also decide together whether we want to continue exploring more of Strong Ground in 2026—but no pressure. This gathering stands on its own.

And then? We're tasting chocolate together.

This isn't just a nice add-on—it's intentional. We spend so much time moving quickly and caring for others that we often skip right past the joy or forget to pause and savor it. The chocolate tasting is our collective permission slip to slow down, be present, savor something delicious, and nourish ourselves while we're at it. You'll bring chocolate you love, share why you chose it, and we'll enjoy it together with some thoughtfully paired beverages.

What you'll take away:

• New perspectives on transformation and staying grounded from both Brené's wisdom and your peers' lived experience

• Practical ideas you can actually use in your organization

• Deeper connections with fellow culture leaders you can lean on when things get hard

• And hopefully, a renewed sense of confidence to keep moving forward

To prepare for this gathering:

📖 Read these two chapters from Strong Ground by Brené Brown:

• Chapter 8: The Anatomy of Transformation

• Chapter 14: Pocket Presence

Come with your thoughts, questions, and stories. No formal preparation needed—just read, reflect, and bring yourself.

🍫 Bring chocolate to share:

• Bring 1-2 bars of your favorite chocolate (enough to share with up to 12 people)

• Choose something you genuinely love or are curious about

• Be ready to share briefly why you chose it

• All varieties welcome—dark, milk, flavored, artisan, free trade, nostalgic classics

We'll provide beverages to pair with the chocolate.

Event Details: Thursday, December 4th at 5:30pm, 360 West Maple, Birmingham, MI 48009 (First two hours in the parking garages are free.)

This gathering is intentionally kept small (12-15 people max) so we can have real conversation and meaningful connection.

About Culture First Detroit:

We're building something special here in Detroit—a community of HR, benefits, and culture leaders who show up for each other. By strengthening our connections and support for one another, we create the strong ground we need to lead with courage and confidence. When we gather, we foster belonging, share courageously, and remind each other that we don't have to do this work alone. Together, we find our footing—and hold it. Connection inside, business outside—this is about human connection and learning, not networking.