We’re Ready to See Your Organization Thrive
Our team of expert practitioners have proven track records of leading organizations to remarkable results. Now, we work to empower other leaders to own the change they want to see.
Words from our CEO
We’re Here to Inspire and Ignite Your Organization.
I founded Fired Up! Culture over a decade ago with the belief that people are the difference makers in every organization. Our people and organization are no different.
Our mission is to bring lasting change to organizations by empowering key leaders to own their leadership impact and build the workplace culture of their dreams. We have an experienced team of workplace culture and leadership change management experts armed with the tools, expertise, and track records to deliver lasting impact.
Simply put, we are passionate about our work and are ready to partner.
– Chris Ihrig, Fired Up! Culture CEO
Meet the Team
Chris Ihrig
CEO – Chief Engagement Officer
Chris Ihrig - Chief Engagement Officer
On the weekend you can catch Chris: undertaking a family adventure with a couple of his four kids (depending on which ones he likes that day) or a culinary+movie date night with his wife Kris. He has also been known to take in a baseball game or two, runaway winner as his favorite sport. The rekindling of his passion for golf seems to be taking over more of his time these days as he tries to not ruin a beautiful walk while striking a white ball. And of course, anything Disney.
Be sure to ask Chris about: the baseball road trip back east with his boys with stops at Cooperstown, Fenway, and Yankee Stadium, his Disney claim to fame or the time he rolled a car driving 5 miles an hour.
Chris gets Fired-Up! about: how each person shows up in this world – each person’s gifts, talents, passions, and interests. He takes on life as an adventurer, not a tourist, and encourages others to take risks, be vulnerable and dare greatly to impact our communities and organizations.
Linda John
Vice President, SW Regional Director
Linda John - VP Travel & Hospitality Practice
On the weekend you can catch Linda: hiking the mountains of Tucson or exploring the many culinary and recreational gems of Arizona. Or she may be chilling at the gulf beaches of Florida where she often enjoys time with friends and family, or maybe she has returned to the beauty of West Central Wisconsin, where she raised her family and lived for 27 years. It also would not be far-fetched to find her exploring Portland, where her two adult kids and their significant others have made their homes.
Be sure to ask Linda about the time: her summers were filled with detasseling corn in Iowa led to her first tourism job with Walt Disney World. Or about the time she joined the Blue Angels in the air for some breathtaking airshow formations, or how her only tattoo (on her right foot) is her daily reminder to not take life too seriously and to stay true to her authentic self.
Linda gets Fired-Up! about: experiencing new places! Since she was a kid, Linda has been fascinated by travel, discovering new cultures and the stories/characters that have created the uniqueness of the place, and then immersing herself in discovering the local gems of the destination.
Chad Kearns
Vice President, NW Regional Director
Chad Kearns - Vice President and Lead Practitioner
On the weekend you can catch Chad: doing anything to elevate his heart rate– running, cycling, skiing, hiking, or waterskiing depending on the season. After an active day, Chad loves to cook for family and friends, trying new recipes and flavors from all around the world.
Be sure to ask Chad about: the next ski trip he’s planning or his ongoing struggle to tackle the latest NYT Daily Crossword.
Chad gets Fired-Up! about: watching those around him set goals, make plans, and push themselves to reach their next milestone.
Meg Winchester
Vice President, SE Regional Director
Meg Winchester - Senior Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Meg: outside and being active! I know it’s a cliché, but I am loving pickleball as well as hiking and biking. Good food, good conversation and just being with friends and family are also top of the list!
Be sure to ask Meg about: walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the amazing spiritual and physical experience that it was. Oh, and the first time I went skydiving and the instructor realized I was not afraid, so he tumbled us out of the plane until opening the chute, and then we spiraled to the ground. Fantastic!
Meg gets Fired-Up! about: helping people become the best version of themselves with the ability to influence change and support. I look forward to helping coach and mentor so that organizations and the team members themselves can show up each day, give it their all, and enjoy contributing.
Anna Tanski
Senior Advisor, Midwest Regional Director
Anna Tanski - Senior Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Anna: relishing time with family and friends, golfing (though she enjoys watching the PGA more than playing) cheering on the Green Bay Packers, reading the latest mystery or spy thriller, or binge-watching documentaries.
Be sure to ask Anna about: the absolute joy she experiences from being a Mimi, her favorite vacation spots, her beloved cat Benny, and black lab Maverick.
Anna gets Fired Up! about: helping others find joy and fulfillment by achieving their goals, pursuing pathways to lifelong learning, and seeking opportunities to share humor and gratitude.
Julia Hertel
Senior Advisor
Julia Hertel - Senior Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Julia: Getting outside and cycling on the local Madison, WI bike trails or kayaking on a Wisconsin lake. In Wisconsin’s snowy winters, I’ll be cross-country or downhill skiing. If headed indoors, you’ll find me playing volleyball, reading a great book, or binging Netflix. I may also be cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers or Green Bay Packers.
Be sure to ask Julia about: Her first job as a TV reporter/anchor at the smallest TV station in the country or working as Deputy Press Secretary for Wisconsin’s longest serving Governor, Tommy Thompson. I’m still a news junkie and enjoy advocating for government leaders on important issues.
Julia gets Fired Up! about: Traveling across the world to experience unique places, cultures, and cuisines.
Paul Perrin
Senior Advisor
Paul Perrin - Senior Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Paul: embracing his life motto; “If it is not a challenge, then it’s not worth doing” along with anyone else that he can inspire to join in. These challenges may be a rock climbing camping trip in Southern California, a kayaking adventure in west central Indiana or just a cross-fit endurance run through the snow in coastal Maine. He has also been seen enjoying a good cabernet sauvignon, coaching a baseball team or watching a great large battle movie.
Be sure to ask Paul about: the night he snuck into the Vatican on Christmas Eve, getting lost on a run in Jerusalem with his brother, his many bouldering adventures with his son at Big Bear or skiing off property at Vail ending up 3 miles away from the resort.
Paul gets Fired-Up! about: deep smarts; witnessing other leaders grow one step at a time. He reflects on life’s experiences to assist others is an everyday occurrence and passion. Knowing that he had a positive impact on a person or an organization fuels his inner fire for a lifetime.
Tammy Sargent
Senior Advisor
Tammy Sargent - Senior Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Tammy: Outside. She enjoys being outside in the sun; hiking, swimming, tennis, gardening and hopefully soon on the pickleball court. Though if you were to find Tammy inside she would be working on a home improvement project or a decorating project.
Be sure to ask Tammy about: Her family, her next family vacation or current home improvement project.
Tammy gets Fired-Up! about: Bringing out the best in others, helping them be the best version of themself. Also, learning new things, she tries to learn something new every day.
Mike Robertson
Director, Client Experience and Development
Mike Robertson - Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Mike: Playing one of his many guitars, taking a run through his neighborhood on a nearby trail or watching baseball (Atlanta Braves), football (Pittsburgh Steelers) or college football (West Virginia Mountaineers) depending on the season. Otherwise, he is most likely rewatching The Office (for the 15th time) or Survivor with his wife, Vanessa, while he fights for space on the couch with their two cats Boomer and Molly.
Be sure to ask Mike about the time: his semester in Galway, Ireland, his punk rock days with blue hair, and his proudest accomplishment of conquering Space Mountain. He is also your go-to source for local donut shops across the country as he finds at least one every time he travels.
Mike gets Fired-Up! about: the power of culture and how leaders inspire their teams. He loves out-of-the-box and creative solutions that galvanize a team to achieve and support each other. Mike is also passionate about the importance of personal development and approaching each day with gratitude.
Chase Wharton
Advisor
Chase Warton - Advisor
On the weekend you can catch Chase: enjoying the great outdoors with his wife, Tiara, and two young daughters. As a lifelong sports enthusiast, you’ll find Chase playing ice hockey, swinging (and missing) softballs, or trying to figure out his slice on the links.
Be sure to ask Chase about the time: as a dancer on “Jackson Hole’s Dancing with the Stars”, the time he bumped into Han Solo at a rodeo, or the time he got to skate with future NHL Hall of Famer, Sydney Crosby.
Chase gets Fired-Up! about: being of service to current and future leaders as they break through perceived constraints, recognize their true potential, and impact the lives of those in their orbit. He believes in people. He believes in the power of character. He believes we all can be agents of change.
Christy Ferber
Business Services Manager
Christy Ferber - Business Services Manager
On the weekend you can catch Christy: watching one or both of her children participate in their sporting events or choir performances. If it is football season, there most definitely will be time spent watching the Seahawks. If it is spring and summer, she will be playing in the dirt in her backyard! She and her family are also active with their church family!
Be sure to ask Christy about: her teaching days before the birth of her children! The “Wrath of Ferber” is a real thing that her students were always a bit leery of but helped hold them to a higher standard! Lastly, ask her about boating in the San Juans and the Canadian Gulf Islands with her family. Look up Princess Louisa Inlet to get a visual!!
Christy gets Fired-Up! about: greeting and accepting people where they are in life. She very much enjoys what an individual brings to the table and wants to “live and let live”. Each and every person has their own talents and gifts to share with the world and Christy wants to know more about those gifts through the development of honest and sincere relationships!