Our Mission

We recognize that men and women spend the majority of their time living and working in organizations and communities, and we understand that human flourishing is significantly enhanced by thriving organizations and healthy leadership. The De Pree Center strives to encourage the development of both healthy leadership and flourishing organizations. In doing so, we perpetuate the legacy of Max De Pree, who developed a rich culture flowing from well-articulated corporate values and personal integrity during his tenure at Herman Miller, Inc.

What we do

We seek to extend the relational leadership focus of Max De Pree and his vision for organizational transformation through research, education, and by assisting those who share his commitment to the human factor in organizational life—to human flourishing.

We offer an innovative, creative approach to leadership development and organizational transformation, education, and problem solving that is unique in the industry and far beyond what fact-based, quantitative analyses can hope to address. We work in the space between the traditional knowledge silos at the integration of the factual approach to leadership, management and organizational design with the so-called soft side of developing people and organizational culture within an increasingly diversified society.

Research and Publication ›

We are a research-based institution. We involve ourselves in thinking, writing and consulting about issues that have an impact on leaders, managers and organizations. Our research drives our other offerings. 

Leadership/Management Development and Organizational Transformation ›

We are committed to leadership/management development and have created an innovative approach to shaping leaders and managers within the social sectors and business worlds. Our Integrated Relational Systems Approach™/. [IRSA] to organizational transformation is an innovative and highly effective method designed to strengthen leadership and create a thriving organizational culture.

Education/Training

We provide related training and consulting services in executive coaching, family business and senior leadership advising. We work with our clients to design a program based upon their needs.
Contact the Center directly to create a program suited to your needs.

Public Policy Institute ›

The De Pree Center Public Policy Institute provides principled policy analysis, consultation, and program evaluation in order to promote effective leadership and good governance.