Matter of Culture is a collective of facilitators coaches consultants designing employee-centric experiences that create exceptional places to work.

VISION

Help every organization become an exceptional place to work.

MISSION

Foster intentional culture and inspire engagement throughout the employee lifecycle by co-designing and implementing employee-centric strategies and programs.

VALUES

Reflecting the fundamental beliefs of Matter of Culture, our values guide how we interact with one another, and the behaviors we advise our clients to adopt.

Our Story

In 1993, Lois and Juan were paired to lead the HR and Administration functions of MTV Networks Latin America. Their strengths made them a dynamic work duo. Little did they know they would also become life-long friends.

Under the stewardship of a legendary leader, Lois and Juan designed and managed every aspect of the employee experience for the Latin American divisions of MTV and Nickelodeon. In these formative professional years supporting these iconic brands, they experienced firsthand the value of cultivating intentional culture to attract and engage great talent.

They learned that creating and fostering a safe and respectful work environment -- physical as well as emotional -- was indispensable to harness the immense creativity that is unleashed when people from different backgrounds and styles come together for a common purpose. They also learned that caring for people through the experiences they designed and the policies they implemented resulted in higher employee engagement.

After parting ways, Lois went on to build and lead all aspects of HR and talent management for various organizations in the profit and nonprofit sectors. Juan went on to build culture through employee development and engagement efforts with world-class brands, sometimes as an employee, and other times as a consultant.

In 2020, as the world went into lockdown, Lois and Juan decided to partner again to create Matter of Culture, a collective of facilitators, coaches, and consultants who design people-centric experiences. Their aim is to help every organization become an exceptional place to work.

JUAN CORTÉS

co-founder / master facilitator

Juan Cortés (he/him) has spent his career helping organizations across the globe build cultures that promote employee development and engagement. With EQ as the linchpin of all development efforts, Juan delivers inclusive learning experiences designed to grow the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to succeed as a distributed workforce. Prior to partnering with Lois to found Matter of Culture, Juan led L&D, OD and DEI efforts for many organizations in industries including advertising, digital marketing, hospitality, biotech, fintech, media, entertainment, retail and publishing. Juan holds professional certifications in training, facilitation and executive coaching. He is also a qualified coach on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Juan is an active member of the DEIB committee for Hamlin Robinson School in Seattle, Washington.


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JAY KALKA

head of business development

Jay Kalka (he/him) is a seasoned business strategist whose professional ideology centers around the conviction that successful business is rooted in authentic human connection. He is passionate about helping leaders connect their teams to a common purpose, their customers, and the communities they serve. Jay has been recognized for his ability to align human potential with business goals through tailored strategies, coaching, and leadership. He has a degree in Business Leadership and Strategic Innovation from the University of Washington. Jay also serves as executive board member of Only7Seconds, a nonprofit addressing the youth loneliness epidemic by providing young people with the tools and resources they need to build strong social connections for healthier minds and fulfilled lives. 


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LOIS SCHLAM

co-founder / business advisor

Lois Schlam (she/her) is a seasoned HR professional and trusted leader who has had proven success as a multi-specialist with a focus on process and implementation. She firmly believes that respect is the cornerstone to creating an environment of maximum employee engagement and performance. Prior to partnering with Juan to launch Matter of Culture, Lois led HR and Organizational Development functions for 25+ years, supporting staff in industries including music and entertainment, duty free, and the non-profit sector. Lois is a graduate of SUNY Albany. She holds certifications from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Institute of Organizational Development. Lois is also a Gallup-certified Strengths coach. In 2016, she was the recipient of the South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine’s Excellence in Human Resource Award.


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