Build Teams That Work. Align Organizations That Last.
Kristin Grissom is a leadership strategist, speaker, and former municipal executive who specializes in helping organizations build high-performing, aligned teams.
As a Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director in one of the fastest growing communities in Wisconsin, Kristin transformed an under-resourced, low-visibility department into a high-performing, award-winning organization. She increased funding, expanded staffing with minimal tax levy impact, and built a culture where people genuinely wanted to work and stay.
Through Undercurrent Strategies, Kristin now partners with municipal and nonprofit leaders to bring clarity, alignment, and sustainable growth to their organizations.
What I Speak On
Alignment & Strategic Clarity
Create a shared understanding of priorities and direction across your organization.
High-Performing Teams & Culture
Build teams that are accountable, engaged, and genuinely enjoy working together.
Leadership & Emotional Intelligence
Develop leaders who balance empathy with accountability and drive real results.
Revenue & Sustainability
Identify practical strategies to generate revenue while staying mission-focused.
Customized For Your Organization
While topics and signature sessions below provide a strong foundation, every organization is different and your challenges are not one-size-fits-all.
That is why I offer fully customized speaking engagements designed specifically for your team, your goals, and your current reality.
Whether you are:
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Working through organizational misalignment
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Looking to strengthen team culture and performance
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Navigating capacity and resource challenges
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Exploring revenue strategies or strategic direction
I will work with you to design a session that meets your audience where they are and delivers practical, actionable value.
These sessions can range from:
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Conference presentations tailored to your audience
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Leadership retreats and team workshops
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Deep-dive sessions aligned with ongoing organizational work
The goal is simple: create an experience that is relevant, engaging, and immediately useful for your team.
Signature Talks
Alignment Isn't a Buzzword.
It's Your Missing Operating System
Most organizations talk about alignment, but very few can define it or operationalize it. This session breaks alignment down into simple, practical components and provides a clear framework for creating shared direction, clarity, and momentum across your organization.
Participants will walk away with tools to reduce confusion, eliminate duplicated effort, and ensure every level of the organization is working toward the same priorities.
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Format: Workshop, Breakout Session
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Recommended Audience: Executive leaders, department heads, mid-level managers
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Approximate Length: 60 - 150 minutes (customizable to half-day workshop)
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Learning Outcomes:
Create clarity across teams and align efforts around shared priorities so work becomes more focused, efficient, and impactful.
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Customization Options:
Can be tailored to support existing strategic planning efforts or organizational restructuring.
Relationships First:Why Your Culture Will Always Outperform Your Strategy
In a world focused on efficiency, metrics, and outputs, relationships are often deprioritized. This session challenges that mindset and demonstrates why strong relationships are the foundation of every high-performing organization.
Through real stories and practical insights, this keynote explores how trust, emotional intelligence, and genuine connection drive performance, retention, and long-term success.
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Format: Keynote, Breakout Session
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Recommended Audience: All levels, included elected officials and leadership teams
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Approximate Length: 45 - 90 minutes
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Learning Outcomes:
Inspire leaders to prioritize relationships and equip them with simple, actionable ways to build trust and connection within their teams.
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Customization Options:
Can be adapted to align with organizational values, leadership themes, or conference focus areas.
DIY Strategic Planning:
Creating Clarity Without a 6-Month Process
Strategic planning does not have to be overwhelming or time-consuming to be effective. This session introduces a simplified, actionable approach to creating clarity and direction without getting stuck in lengthy processes.
Participants will learn how to define priorities, align their teams, and translate strategy into meaningful action.
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Format: Workshop
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Recommended Audience: Executive leaders, managers, leadership teams
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Approximate Length: 1.5 - 2.5 hours (expandable to half or full-day session)
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Learning Outcomes:
Walk away with a clear, usable framework to create direction, align teams, and maintain momentum.
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Customization Options:
Can be structured as a working session where teams begin building their own plans in real time.
From Burnout to Buy-In: Building a High-Performing Team People Actually Want to Be On
High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. They are built intentionally through trust, accountability, and strong leadership.
This session focuses on the real behaviors and systems that create engaged, high-functioning teams. Drawing from firsthand leadership experience, participants will learn how to develop their people, balance empathy with accountability, and create a culture where individuals feel valued and motivated to contribute.
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Format: Workshop, Breakout Session
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Recommended Audience: Executive leaders, managers, supervisors
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Approximate Length: 60 - 150 minutes (expandable to a more in-depth workshop)
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Learning Outcomes:
Shift from burnout and uneven performance to a cohesive, accountable team culture where people are engaged and want to stay.
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Customization Options:
Can include team-specific scenarios or leadership challenges for more interactive discussion.
Think Like a Business:
Revenue Strategies for Mission-Driven Organizations
Mission-driven organizations are often expected to do more with less. This session provides a practical framework for approaching revenue generation in a way that supports both financial sustainability and community impact.
Participants will learn how to apply cost recovery principles, identify new revenue opportunities, and align pricing strategies with organizational goals without compromising mission.
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Format: Workshop, Breakout Session
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Recommended Audience: Executive leaders, department heads, finance, and operations staff
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Approximate Length: 1.5 - 4 hours
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Learning Outcomes:
Move from reactive budgeting to a proactive, strategic approach to revenue that supports long-term financial sustainability.
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Customization Options:
Can include high-level program review or guided exercises using participant examples.
All Sessions Are Fully Customizable
Each of these sessions can be tailored to your organization’s goals, audience, and current challenges. Whether you are looking for a keynote, interactive workshop, or multi-session engagement, content can be adapted to ensure relevance and impact.