Case Study: Elevating Leadership and Fostering Growth at the Arthritis Foundation
Natalie Worcester at the Arthritis Foundation Staff Summit
Client: Arthritis Foundation
Partnership Duration: 4 years (and counting)
Services Provided: Leadership & Professional Development, Executive Coaching, Custom Program Design, Summit Facilitation
Impact First: Strengthening Leadership and Shaping Culture
Over the past four years, our partnership with the Arthritis Foundation has delivered real, measurable transformation, elevating the confidence and effectiveness of their managers and leadership team while embedding a culture of accountability, clarity, and purpose across the organization.
From leadership development and executive coaching to all-staff training and summit facilitation, our collaboration has helped unlock authentic leadership, foster team performance, and drive growth at every level.
In the words of their SVP of People Operations:
“Working with Natalie Worcester and the People Architects team has been truly transformational for the Arthritis Foundation... They’ve helped us unlock real, measurable growth across our organization. They don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions—they listen, adapt, and deliver with insight and care.”
The Journey: From Foundational Training to Organizational Growth
Years 1–3: Building a Culture of Accountability and Growth
Our engagement began with organization-wide performance management training designed to build shared language and capability around coaching, feedback, and career development. Sessions included:
Coaching for Performance
Owning and Growing Your Career
The Power of Feedback
These trainings laid the groundwork for a culture shift—instilling new habits, sparking meaningful conversations, and aligning managers and staff around clear expectations for performance and growth.
Year 4: Developing Leaders for the Future
Recognizing the need for deeper leadership capability, we co-created a custom development experience designed specifically for the Arthritis Foundation. Key elements included:
360° Leadership Assessments
One-on-One Executive Coaching
Cohort-Based Workshops on communication, influence, adaptability, and executive presence
The impact? Participants reported increased confidence, stronger team dynamics, and a renewed sense of purpose. Due to the program’s success, two new leadership cohorts are launching this year.
Year 4: Energizing the Staff Summit
We were honored to join the Arthritis Foundation’s Staff Summit in Chicago—our first in-person experience with this passionate team. We led two dynamic breakout sessions focused on team collaboration and professional presence, both of which received outstanding feedback.
Why It Works: Listening, Customizing, Delivering
The Arthritis Foundation’s leadership attributes much of the success of this work to our highly tailored approach. By deeply understanding their culture and evolving needs, we’ve acted not just as consultants—but as an extension of their People Operations team.
From virtual training to individualized coaching, our focus remains the same: create trusted spaces for learning, challenge assumptions, and empower people to lead with authenticity and clarity.
Looking Ahead
We’re honored to continue this journey with the Arthritis Foundation and are excited about what’s ahead. With two new leadership cohorts launching this year and continued opportunities to support their amazing team, we’re more committed than ever to helping them thrive. If you’re interested in donating to the cause, you can do so here.
Let’s Build Something Together
If you’re looking for a partner to help transform your culture, develop your leaders, and empower your teams—let’s talk. We’d love to help your organization thrive, too.
