We uncover the stuff that matters.
If you decide to work with us, get ready for a ride. We dig in deeply to get at the root of what’s blocking progress. Sometimes it’s friction within the leadership team. Sometimes it’s a plan that’s not working any more. Sometimes it’s a process that needs to be re-thought.
Whatever your issues, our team of strategists and creatives will walk arm-in-arm with you to build momentum and get you where you want to go.
Our Leadership
Elicia Putnam, Partner
Elicia Putnam is a brand and culture expert who’s driven to understand the “why” of organizations. She’s created success stories for a wide range of companies — from technology to retail to medical. Elicia is known for her unique and highly effective workshop methodology. Her leadership allows stakeholders to quickly unite on key business decisions, including brand frameworks, mission and values, go-to-market strategies, and management team development. Elicia also has experience as an angel investor and has served on several corporate boards.
Michael Verdine, Partner
Michael Verdine offers design expertise with a focus on business results. His work has won awards at top international design contests, including the One Show. Michael started his career at Cahan & Associates, Tolleson Design, and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. He was then recruited by Nike to be a Creative Director of their outdoor sports department. Since then he has overseen creative projects for a range of global brands including adidas, ESPN, and Intel. At True Story, he enjoys bringing his experience to help companies of all sizes achieve greatness.
Sydney Joyner, Principal Consultant
Sydney has over 30 years of experience working with organizations and executives on their business strategies and organizational systems. She guides teams in leadership development plans, executive succession and generational transition, change management, and team formation and processes. Sydney has served on the Boards of Oregon Public Broadcast, the Association of Corporate Growth, the College of Art and Craft, and the Portland Creative Conference. She has taught as an adjunct professor in Organizational Design and Entrepreneurialism at Portland State University and Marylhurst University.
“True Story cuts through the BS and give people the freedom to talk openly with each other. By doing so, not only did we get to answers faster, but we had fun along the way.”
GAYLAND LOONEY, CO-OWNER, PERLO CONSTRUCTION