Chad and Nikki Strickland: Live Meaningful Lives Through Meaningful Work

by Jeff Bond

As the CEO of Chat With Leaders Media and Executive Partner at People-First Elevation Team, I lead a dedicated team specializing in thought leadership development, stakeholder engagement, and effective global communication. We excel in producing corporate podcasts, meetings, and events to drive customer and team member acquisition, retention, and engagement. Additionally, we provide speaker coaching to empower thought leaders within our clients' organizations.

My approach is grounded in Conscious Capitalism, fostering leaders with a values-driven, pro-capitalism perspective. I firmly believe in business's transformative power, not only as a commercial venture but as a catalyst for lasting social and generational impact.

Beyond my professional role, I cherish my most significant leadership role as a father to three children, alongside my wife Katie. This personal aspect deeply influences my professional path, aligning my business strategies with family values, faith, and community service in Atlanta, GA.

Chad is the culture, and people strategist who drives business results with the power of belief, purpose, and communication. Chad began his 20-year career as a labor and employment attorney, then transitioned to a senior business executive, where he learned how the power of people can impact an organization.

In co-founding NICH in 2016, Chad sought to develop a resource that he wished he had as a senior executive at a large enterprise. During his nearly 15-year tenure with one of the most successful specialty retailers in the country, Aaron’s Inc., Chad was responsible for the most valued aspect of the business: attracting, hiring, training, and engaging the 20,000+ (mostly millennial) associates. Building this process from scratch gave Chad invaluable experience and lessons on what’s effective for today’s millennial workforce.

Nikki is the millennial marketing, creative director, and internal brand strategist who provides clients with counsel and a personal confidant to successfully lead their brands around the world. Nikki has developed a wide skill set thanks to a diverse background spanning a Major League Baseball team, a large enterprise, a digital advertising agency, and a technology start-up. She has developed a range of specialties from graphic design to copywriting to web coding. With a passion for purpose and a great eye for design, Nikki helps organizations tap into their younger generations by meeting them where they are.

In co-founding NICH, Nikki sought to build a team of creatives, communicators, and designers that understand the power of effective and authentic communication. Nikki creates strategies and executes proven tactics to build strong foundations of communication and engagement across companies both locally and abroad.

Nikki and Chad live in Historic Inman Park Atlanta and have an office in the Old Fourth Ward. When not in the office, you can find them with their two dogs, training or drinking wine at VinoTeca. Both are elite endurance athletes that travel the world competing in crazy events and run teams of like-minded individuals.

Discussion Topics

Can you walk us through your journey to starting NICH Culture – an agency that’s uniquely focused on workplace culture and purpose?
What kind of problems have you seen leaders of growing companies facing with respect to unhealthy cultures? How do you guide them into a better narrative around purpose, mission, and stronger core values?
Can you share an example of the impact you’ve had with helping your clients understand, define, articulate, and promote an exceptional work culture through your work at NICH?
What do you see happening in the labor market right now?
What roles are leadership and culture playing for those organizations that are thriving?

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B Local GA: A collection of for-profit companies each dedicated to creating a future where businesses operate as a positive influence on society.
InspirEDU: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to support education equity with its commitment to youth and their families, through training, device distribution, and technology career development.
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Stratfield Consulting: Helping organizations successfully adapt to a rapidly changing landscape with an approach that integrates proven consulting, staffing, and recruiting services.