Juan Cortes

Professional culture builder who designs employee-centric experiences that inspire engagement across the employee life cycle.

Led learning and engagement efforts for the North America region of this global creative, data and technology agency of 20,000+ employees. Focused on developing leadership and interpersonal skills while fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for its distributed workforce. Coached executives and teams on managing complex organizational challenges and resolving conflicts. Mentored high potential employees. Highlights include: Produced learning and cultural programs to disseminate internal and external intelligence, grow leadership competencies, and educate employees on the experiences of a diverse workforce. Ranging from facilitator-led workshops and self-paced courses to fireside chats and podcasts, these highly-anticipated and well-attended programs garnered an average positive response rate of 92%. Spearheaded a virtual team charged with identifying and crafting best policies and practices to more effectively engage and develop a growing (and often neglected) remote workforce. Founded the agency’s first employee resource group (ERG), solidifying the framework for other affinity groups to function as business consultants, employee advocates, and community supporters. Led efforts to minimize unconscious biases while promoting conscious inclusion in client work, as well as throughout the full employee life cycle. Defined parent company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) mission and objectives as founding member of The Collective, a cross-agency executive council. Served as faculty of parent company’s immersive executive development programs, coaching the top global leaders of its myriad agencies on becoming trusted advisors.

Built L&D function for a global 1300-employee creative digital agency, leading efforts from strategy to execution. Created and delivered learning programs to advance interpersonal and technical competencies across all disciplines. Highlights include: Strategically positioned EQ as the linchpin of all development efforts, providing a common framework and methodology for building strong relationships with colleagues, clients and vendors. Defined organization’s ethos and methodology for accountability, resulting in the adoption of a cyclical model for establishing clear expectations, and providing frank and kind feedback. Launched an innovative harassment prevention program using interactive, storytelling-based training (no slides) to equip managers and employees with effective ways to address and de-escalate disrespectful and unsafe behaviors.

Launched a consultancy focused on curriculum development and facilitation, executive coaching, and the assimilation of core branding principles into clients’ corporate cultures. Clients included 24-Hour Fitness, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Hilton Hotels, MetLife, Penguin Random House, Smashing Ideas, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Sweetgreen. Highlights include: Designed a comprehensive service excellence training program for associates and leaders of resorts in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Received executive commendations for translating relatively esoteric concepts into applicable, on-brand behaviors that positively impact the guest experience. Facilitated customized programs leveraging MBTI® to grow emotional intelligence, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and improve team dynamics. Led customized, strengths-focused executive team building retreats, resulting in significant shifts to more productive, cohesive and highly effective working teams. Coached C-level executives nationwide, including prepping keynote speakers for a national conference, which earned the client topmost commendations. Certified national retailer’s high-potential associates as trainers for new store openings, enabling the company to scale swiftly without sacrificing its cultivated brand experience.

Coached and counseled leaders of this fast-growing hotel and leisure company with 900+ properties in over 100 countries, with a strong focus on increasing bench strength and enhancing leadership effectiveness.

Led a multi-million dollar initiative as part of a select pioneer team of global leaders to transform the business model from real estate to branded lifestyle company. Brands supported included Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, Luxury Collection and Four Points by Sheraton.

Managed the Learning & Development department for the North American Eastern division of the licensing group of this premier purveyor of coffee, with a primary focus on effective consultative selling and self-directed performance management.

Launched and managed a consulting firm dedicated to coaching, brand creation and management, and the development of interpersonal skills. Provided strategic and practical business expertise to local and international Fortune 500 and start-up companies.

Defined and drove efforts to create a more inclusive workplace in this global entertainment company, from changes to policies and procedures, to the production of learning events celebrating diversity. Led the Planning & Design as well as the Learning & Development departments of its Latin American division. Managed a staff of eight, as well as operating and capital budgets of $1.5+ million.