At humanworks8, we have always believed that great organizations are built by great people. That belief is at the heart of everything we do, which is why being included in Milwaukee Magazine’s 2026 FACES Edition as the Face of Workplace Culture is both an honor and a reflection of the organizations we have the privilege to serve across Southeast Wisconsin and beyond. Our work helps organizations strengthen culture, leadership and people practices through our philosophy, The 8, which centers on the fundamental truths that everyone is unique, believes, connects, contributes, rises, learns, thrives and matters. We bring The 8 to life through the people touchpoints in an organization, creating more excellent places to work within our community.

 

Turning Core Values into Daily Action

One of the most meaningful projects we’ve been invited to be a part of this year is Wellpoint Care Network’s mission and core values refresh. Together, we are helping the 175-year-old nonprofit organization update its mission and core values language to better reflect its future vision and continued commitment to health, housing, education and employment. This work has engaged leaders and team members from all roles across the organization in defining the language and principles that will guide more than 300 employees into the future.

Core values aren’t determined in a board room. They don’t come from a list of words. And their purpose isn’t to be displayed on a wall and forgotten. Done well, core values create clarity in decision-making, attract the right people, and strengthen the connection employees feel to their organization’s mission.

We’ve had the opportunity to support organizations – many from the greater Milwaukee area – in elevating their core values, and we look forward to adding the finished Wellpoint core values to our in-office display.

 

Building Strategic Discipline at St. Francis Children’s Center

Of course, our relationship with Wellpoint wouldn’t have begun without the introduction facilitated by partner organization St. Francis Children’s Center (SFCC), a humanworks8 client that continues to be one of the most rewarding examples of long-term culture and leadership development. What started as a workshop experience at one SFCC professional development day turned into a meaningful investment in foundational work that has strengthened the organization’s outcomes under new leadership.

After facilitating core values discovery and rolling out new gutsy, unique and active core values, we introduced a new strategic planning discipline, designed an elevated performance management process, and supported the talent discovery process for a new critical hire. Leaders at SFCC have a clear vision and plan of action, coach their team members from a values lens and have increased confidence in knowing and celebrating their individual instinctive strengths. This living system and ongoing support helps leaders make decisions, align priorities and move the organization forward together. Read more about our work with SFCC here.

 

Developing Stronger Leaders in Bayside

Just a few minutes north of SFCC, the Village of Bayside engaged humanworks8 to strengthen leadership capacity across its executive team. We began our work with an introduction to the three parts of the mind framework, resiliency conversations, strategic thinking practices and team development experiences. Now, Bayside leaders are building greater confidence in navigating change, responding to burnout and leading both their teams and community through increasingly complex challenges with a new perspective.

For us, leadership development goes beyond theory. It is about helping leaders gain practical tools that immediately improve how they think, communicate and lead.

A Growing Impact Across Wisconsin

These projects are only part of a much larger story.

humanworks8 has had the opportunity to support a wide range of organizations across the region, including AB Data, Indian Community School, Miron Construction, Krones USA, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Marquette University Spirit Shop, Penfield Children’s Center, PRA, Mathnasium of Oak Creek, MATC, Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, HGA, Johnson Financial Group, Milwaukee College Prep, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Museum, NAMI – Southeast Wisconsin, City of Oak Creek, Auer Steel, among many others.

Every engagement is different, but the goal remains the same: help organizations create environments where people can do their best work and thrive.

 

The Face of Workplace Culture

While our team is pictured in the magazine’s feature, the true face of workplace culture belongs to the leaders who choose to invest in their people, the managers who work to create better experiences and the employees who show up every day to make a difference. We are grateful for every organization that has trusted us with their culture, leadership, strategic planning, talent optimization and core values work.

As we continue bringing work to life and life to work, we remain committed to championing people and building cultures where everyone matters.

Thank you, Milwaukee, for making us your Face of Workplace Culture!