WHO IS QUINNOVATE?
OUR PURPOSE
Creating a more connected, compassionate, caring world that enriches the lives of individuals and communities, now and for generations to come.
OUR VISION
A more joyful, fulfilling, and rejuvenated world for all.
WHO WE ARE
We thrive on partnering with Socially Conscious leaders and visionaries to build structured business processes and cultivate people-centered practices that create ease, time flexibility, and freedom so that they can
scale their impact and revenue
not their problems.
scale their impact and revenue
not their problems.
We're who leaders hire to hit their next milestone.
We're who businesses hire to scale.
We're who companies and non-profits hire to ensure their conscious business practices are calibrated and create a lasting, positive impact.
We're who businesses hire to scale.
We're who companies and non-profits hire to ensure their conscious business practices are calibrated and create a lasting, positive impact.
OUR MISSION
Empower socially conscious businesses to achieve stable, long-term growth and profitability. We optimize teams, sales, and operations to maximize profits ethically, accelerate impact, and foster positive, supportive work cultures. We prioritize a triple-bottom-line approach, where success is measured by People, Prosperity, and Planet. By balancing these priorities, we empower businesses to thrive while making strides to actualize our vision of a more joyful, fulfilling, and rejuvenated world for all, one business at a time.
OUR VALUES
WE'RE COMMITTED TO...
COLLECTIVE WISDOM
We believe in harnessing the combined knowledge and diverse perspectives so that we can cultivate a collaborative, growth-oriented culture.
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INCLUSIVE PROSPERITY
We prioritize ethical economic growth and well-being for all stakeholders so that we can better the world through business while bettering the world of business.
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RADICAL CANDOR
We practice direct, kind communication to foster personal and collective growth and achieve excellence in our work in a caring and supportive environment.
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SAVVY RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP
We practice savvy resource stewardship through intentional planning and innovative leveraging to maximize positive impact while simultaneously minimizing negative outcomes.
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AUDACIOUS JOY
We uplift individual well-being, playfulness, curiosity, self-expression, and intimate connection so that we can enhance and enjoy our lives and the lives of all of those around us.
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Our Values In Action
By investing in integrating our values into our work, we ensure that they do not become vague platitudes to aspire to. Instead, they are the heartbeat to every decision we make and a beacon to those meant to be a part of actualizing our vision who have not yet joined us.
Learn more about our values in action in the dropdowns below.
Learn more about our values in action in the dropdowns below.
OUR VALUES IN ACTION Overview
Integrating our values into daily operations, policies, and organizational culture requires ongoing commitment, communication, and a genuine effort to align actions to embody our values. That’s why we’ve taken the time to not only identify and share our values but to define:
- What they mean to us
- Why we’re committed to them
- The impact living these values makes
- Clear, measurable actions that our business takes to embody our commitment
Collective wisdom in action
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Collective Wisdom In ActionWe believe in harnessing the combined knowledge and diverse perspectives of our stakeholders so that we can cultivate a collaborative, growth-oriented culture.
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By living this value, we’re able to:
- Innovate Effectively: Foster an atmosphere where collective insights lead to innovative solutions and approaches.
- Adapt Proactively: Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, driven by the shared intelligence of the organization.
- Achieve Sustainable Growth: Leverage collective wisdom to navigate challenges and identify opportunities for sustainable business growth.
- Make a Positive Social Impact: Contribute to a better world by recognizing that our collective efforts are greater than the sum of individual contributions.
- Open Communication Channels: regular forums for stakeholders to share ideas, feedback, and suggestions.
- Intentional Collaboration: collaboration with other businesses and professionals to leverage diverse skills and perspectives.
- Learning and Development: We Invest in programs and communities to foster continuous learning and growth and strengthen our network of diverse connections and relationships.
Inclusive Prosperity in Action
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Inclusive Prosperity In ActionWe prioritize ethical economic growth and well-being for all stakeholders so that we can better the world through business while bettering the world of business.
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By living this value, we’re able to:
A few examples of how we practice inclusive prosperity:
- Revolutionize Business: Create a business environment where the interests of all stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and the environment are prioritized, and the win/lose mindset of toxic business decision-making is actively dismantled.
- Foster a Culture of Abundance: Cultivate a spirit of abundance through our decision-making and use of resources that create a ripple effect of good and actively contribute to the betterment of the broader community and society.
- Advance Equality: Champion equality by consistently utilizing inclusive practices that recognize and value diversity, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
- Promote Environmental Rejuvenation: Implement practices that not only minimize harmful environmental impact but contribute to the well-being of the planet.
- Uplift Humanity: Work towards the betterment of humanity by actively participating in positive societal development and uplifting the well-being of individuals and communities.
A few examples of how we practice inclusive prosperity:
- Strategic Planning: Using planning practices that are oriented on the wellness of all stakeholders.
- Team Development: Prioritizing mentorship, career advancement, and professional development
- Volunteering and Community Engagement: Volunteering services and time to organizations that support small businesses and conscious business practices. Actively participate in community initiatives and support local businesses to contribute to the well-being of the broader community.
- Vendor Practices: Actively seek vendors whose products and services promote environmental wellness and advance equality, such as selecting sustainable and ethically sourced and produced gifts for client and team appreciation gifts and partnering with businesses owned by members of historically marginalized communities who share aligned values.
- Role Creation and Hiring Practices: Creating job opportunities that properly represent the skills and talents of individuals and hiring for culture and values fit while removing unnecessary barriers to hiring such as specific higher education requirements or years of experience as often as possible.
- Free and Low-cost Training: Regularly offering free and low-cost classes and resources that offer true value.
Radical candor in action
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Radical Candor* In ActionWe practice direct, kind communication to foster personal and collective growth and achieve excellence in our work in a caring and supportive environment.
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By living this value, we’re able to:
- Build Strong Relationships: Develop a workplace culture where caring personally about each stakeholder goes beyond their professional abilities, encouraging open sharing and understanding of each other as human beings. We follow authentic people-first practices that actively support the whole person and honor the individual’s ideas, hopes, fears, goals, and dreams.
- Amplify Trust: Expect direct, kind communication to remove confusion, reduce fear, and promote healthy long-term relationships.
- Elevate Success: Create a culture that embodies Radical Candor and collaborative communication to elevate individual and collective success.
- Enhance Work Culture: Cultivate an environment where all stakeholders enjoy their engagement with us, recognizing that this enjoyment contributes to better overall results collaboratively and ripples out into our communities at large.
A few examples of how we practice Radical Candor:
- Proactive Communication: We lead by example by practicing regular and spontaneous feedback that encompasses the four pillars of Radically Candid communication: Kind, clear, specific, and sincere, while proactively taking ownership of our mistakes.
- Regular Feedback Through Multiple Channels: We regularly solicit feedback from stakeholders through feedback questionnaires, listening sessions, project debriefs, anonymous surveys, 1:1 team meetings, exit interviews, and skip-level reviews to provide constructive criticism and recognition.
- Transparent Decision-Making: Communicate openly about tough decisions, explaining the reasoning behind them to all stakeholders.
- Communication Training and Practice: Provide training internally and to all interested stakeholders to cultivate the skills necessary for cultivating a culture of Radical Candor.
- Integration Into Our Operational Processes: Radical Candor is a cornerstone of our established meeting agreements, client and team onboarding, and project management practices.
*Based on the book and leadership philosophy by Kim Scott
Savvy Resource Stewardship in action
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Savvy Resource Stewardship In ActionWe practice savvy resource stewardship through intentional planning and innovative leveraging to maximize positive impact while simultaneously minimizing negative outcomes.
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By living this value, we’re able to:
A few examples of how we demonstrate Savvy Resource Stewardship:
- Reduce Waste: Utilize resources effectively, and streamline processes to enhance overall operational efficiency saving time, money, and energy.
- Maximize Value: Make the most of each resource and endeavor.
- Promote Rejuvenation: Implement practices that prioritize long-term access to vital resources, and consider environmental and social impacts.
- Foster Innovation: Encourage a culture of resourcefulness and innovation, leveraging available resources creatively to drive continuous improvement.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate responsible and transparent resource management to build trust among stakeholders, fostering long-term relationships and partnerships and encouraging wider adoption of Savvy Resource Stewardship practices.
A few examples of how we demonstrate Savvy Resource Stewardship:
- Fractional Hiring Practices: Hiring support that is “right-sized” for the current size and development of the business and training our clients in savvy hiring practices.
- Regular Efficiency & Financial Audits: Conduct regular audits to identify and eliminate wasteful practices and streamline operations.
- Resource Allocation Strategy: The strategic plan intentionally prioritizes for proper resource allocation, ensuring maximum value for every investment.
- Environmental Initiatives: 1% for the planet membership, work-from-home practices, composting
Audacious Joy in Action
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Audacious Joy In ActionWe uplift individual well-being, playfulness, curiosity, self-expression, and intimate connection so that we can enhance and enjoy our lives and the lives of all of those around us.
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By living this value, we’re able to:
- Inspire Passion: Create spaces where everyone involved is inspired and passionate about their contributions, fostering a collective sense of fulfillment.
- Enhance Well-being: Prioritize the well-being of all stakeholders, recognizing that a joyful environment positively impacts physical and mental health.
- Boost Collective Creativity: Acknowledge that joy stimulates creativity and collaboration, leading to innovative solutions and shared successes.
- Build Genuine Connections: Foster authentic connections, promoting a true sense of belonging, understanding, and shared purpose.
- Elevate Culture: Develop a cultural atmosphere that radiates authenticity, and heals the isolation and fragmented nature of the world.
A few examples of how we cultivate Audacious Joy:
- Joy-Centered Goal Setting: We intentionally build goals for our business and our individual team members to prioritize cultivating joy and wellness into the PROCESS of achieving our big-audacious, change-the-world goals!
- Celebration Rituals: We regularly create space to celebrate. We often start meetings by inviting shares of personal and professional achievements milestones and good news. We also regularly publicly celebrate the joys and accomplishments of our clients and team members on our social media channels.
- Support Well-being: Implement programs that prioritize mental and physical health, such as flexible work arrangements, cultivate a culture of open discussion about therapy and other wellness practices, actively seek ways to provide accommodations to make work easier and more enjoyable
- Encourage Harmonious Schedules: We build downtime into our company schedule and encourage our team and our clients to build their work to fit into their life rather than building a life that fits your work.
- Personalized Gift Giving: We get to know our clients and team so that gifts of appreciation can be thoughtfully curated and selected to surprise and delight
- Cultivate Time for Deep Connection: Organize activities for our team and our clients to strengthen connections and demonstrate our care and appreciation for them (and purposefully skip making outings and extra activities mandatory because we believe that authentic joy cannot be cultivated in “mandatory fun”).
Our Team
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Meet Cassandra
I exist to be a driving force of joy and rejuvenation. With over 12 years of business ownership and diverse industry experience, I provide training, consulting, and outsourced operational services that cultivate long-term growth and success. My people-first, systems-driven approach that empowers socially-conscious businesses to drive the paradigm shift that harnesses the unique potential for business to be the greatest champion and contributor of human cooperation and social good. I'm proud to be a Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program Alumni Ambassador, a member of the Trusted Advisors Council, and to serve on the leadership team of Conscious Capitalism Chicago Chapter. Beyond that...I love my life. Truly. There's so much that brings me joy that I couldn't possibly. list it all. But here is a list of just a few of the things that bring me joy: Traveling, frozen treats, fantastic conversations over fabulous whisk(e)y, keeping my house plants alive (so far!), finding local adventures here in Chicago with my loved ones, and creating my best eco-lux life through discovering and implementing more sustainable living practices. |
Operations Team
About Nicole
Nicole Aquila is the founder of Thrive Differently- a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to supporting social impact entrepreneurs. She helps visionary leaders and organizations reverse engineer their boldest visions for humanity, with strategic acumen, innovative thinking, and project planning groundbreaking initiatives. She understands the intricacies of helping individuals and teams reach their full potential, drawing from her years of experience in both athletic and entrepreneurial contexts. Nicole actively advocates for the inclusion of underrepresented perspectives and narratives through her podcast “Thrive Differently,” and as a speaker in the Nashville community and beyond. She is an Advisory Board Member of Global Health Film in London, a council member for Nashville Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, and actively participates in charities and volunteer efforts that support local, regional, and global communities 
Ferwayne Yalung (he/him)
Operations Coordinator About ferwayne
Ferwayne Yalung (he/him) is a campaigner (ENFP-T): enthusiastic, sociable free spirit who can always find a reason to smile and a time to learn. By the start of 2024, he joined Quinnovate as the first Operations Coordinator bringing his 10 years of expertise in the BPO industry(US/AU clients); being multi-faceted, he covers various roles from Operations, QA, Training, Sales, and Retention, E-Learning Design, Executive Services, Lead Generation, Coaching and Development, to Customer service. This all-rounder is a self-proclaimed dancing and dancing chef, and wherever he goes, fun and food follow. |
About alicia
Alicia Lozano is a Business Operations & Client Experience Consultant, who partners with freedom-driven founders growing mission-driven businesses through building sustainable systems and a memorable client experience. She is the creator of a digital community called The Workflow Studio , filled with operations products that simplify systems implementation so that you can stop the research and start building the right systems and tech to prep for business growth. Her credentials include a graduate degree in Organizational Development and Leadership, seven years of Human Resources, corporate coaching, consulting, and training. Alicia is a wife, and dog mom to four rescue pups, and enjoys a good enchilada plate! 
Jenn Wisegarver (she/they)
People & Culture Manager about jenn
Jenn Wisegarver's (she/her/they) love for an authentic workplace brought her to Cassandra Quinn’s businesses in 2017, and she was happy to sign on as Executive Assistant for Quinnovate in 2021. As the business grew, Jenn's role also grew into her current position as People and Culture Manager. Her 7 years of experience in Administration created a strong drive for customer satisfaction, high quality outcomes, and candid communication . If you can’t find Jenn, the first place to check would be the garden. The second place would be wherever the cookie dough is hidden. |
Sonali Rajput (she/her)
Special Projects Administrator about sonali
As a newcomer to the Quinnovate team, Sonali Rajput (she/her/hers) is delighted to uphold the team's mission of accelerating impact and fostering prosperity as the Special Projects Administrator since 2023. After 6 years of experience with customer service and social media across several industries, she's delighted to exhibit dependability, interpersonal and numeracy skills, as well as an exemplary team player mindset and calmness in demanding circumstances. In her free time, Sonali enjoys reading and exploring new Chicago restaurants as she finishes her master's degree in nursing. |
Erika Hauber (she/her)
Executive Assistant about erika
Erika joined Quinnovate in 2024 as an Executive Assistant. A versatile professional with a degree in Anthropology, she has a keen eye for detail and enjoys organization. Outside the office, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family. |
Creative Team
Bruce Phillips (he/him)
Communication Trainer & Improvisor Manager about bruce
Bruce Phillips is an actor, writer, director and comedian in Chicago. He specializes in communication corporate training and event production. He is a co-founder and executive director of High Stakes Productions and has worked with clients such as Chicago Public Schools, West Monroe Partners, The University Club of Chicago, Navigant, and many more. Bruce is a Jeff Award winner for his work designing robots for Heddatron at the Steppenwolf Garage. He currently performs with Malarkey Theater, resident company at iO, and has been the primary understudy for Second City’s 111th, 112th, and the 113th Mainstage Revue currently in progress. He is a faculty member at The Annoyance Theater teaching Advanced Improvisation. |
Macy Hernandez (she/her)
Creative Content Manager & Personal Stylist about macy
Macy Marie (she/her) is Chicagoland Hair Stylist, colorist, make-up artist, and creative with a background in marketing, theatre, education, and business development. You can check out more of her work at https://www.instagram.com/macymarieartistry/ |
about lola
Lola (she/her) is an identity-focused brand strategist. With over a decade of business and brand experience, she's mastered the process and offers a unique approach she calls “Personified Branding.” She's worked with over 70 companies and iconic authorities to launch, refine, and enhance their brands. "For me, branding is something to be and not something to do. It’s a lifestyle or company culture that’s conscious, intentional, and symbolic. It’s a code of conduct with the same integrity a knight uses to swear his oath." - Lola Van Roda Read more about Lola's work here: https://www.iconicdetails.com/about |
about cathlyn
Cathlyn Melvin is a TEDx coach and copywriter whose insight has been featured via TEDx, Thrive Global, Fempreneur Online, The Writing Cooperative, and other outlets. With a degree in theatre performance and over a decade as an actor, director, writer, editor, and educator, Cathlyn draws on her diverse experiences to help mission-driven experts design and deliver their world-changing messages through TEDx coaching and done-for-you copywriting services. When she’s not writing or coaching, you might find Cathlyn baking something delicious made of chocolate, making laps on her purple-wheeled roller skates, or reading in the sunshine with her very snuggly and loudly purring cat, Tucker. |
Chris Daley (he/him)
Presentations Coach about chris
Chris Daley (he/him) joined Quinnovate in 2024 and provides assistance to the executive team along with individual project support. He brings a breadth of experience from the worlds of art, entertainment, hospitality, and event planning. Being a part of the CQC team allows him to exercise his core values of open-hearted listening, cooperative unity, and space holding; practices he will continue to employ in his future work as a mental health practitioner. Outside of work, his passions include completing the Sunday New York Times crossword (in pen!), his thriving house plants, practicing Nichiren Buddhism with the SGI-USA, baseball history and statistics, and a well made classic cocktail. He is based in New York City. |
Finance Team
about moses
Bio coming soon! |
about carleen
Bio coming soon! |
"The totality is not, as it were, a mere heap, but
the whole is something besides the parts."
“The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”
In the past I found myself echoing this sentiment when I’ve felt a group's unique and potent blend of power, energy, and conviction.
However, when I read the full quote, I felt an entire body tingle that shifted my whole perspective.
“In the case of all things which have several parts and in which the totality is not, as it were, a mere heap, but the whole is something besides the parts, there is a cause; for even in bodies contact is the cause of unity in some cases, and in others viscosity or some other such quality.” - Aristotle (1908 translation by W.D. Ross)
That's when it hit me:
In the commonly paraphrased version, “Greater" still seems to echo the belief that ‘bigger is better’ and implies ‘more’ is the goal.
The word ‘sum’ evokes notions of math equations and has an undercurrent of a system where some are still playing a zero-sum game.
On the other hand,
“THE WHOLE IS SOMETHING BESIDES”
conjures images of
Co-creation and MAGIC
– a force that forges a new existence, made possible only by the unique elements coming together.
Building a team is not math.
It’s magic.
We aren’t just a team.
We’re magic embodied.
- Cassandra Quinn
Owner & Founder
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Proud Alumni Ambassador of
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Proud Member of
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