Our Story
Awesome People Leaders exists to strengthen the human layer of execution — helping leaders and teams make better decisions, communicate with clarity, and scale culture with intention.
Founded on the belief that workplaces should unlock human potential — not exhaust it — we combine neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and real-time application to build organizations where people grow and businesses perform.
We’re on a mission to redefine leadership for the modern work experience. Work where thriving people and strong results rise together.
Where people thrive, performance follows.
Our Story
Awesome People Leaders is transforming workplaces from places where people survive to places they thrive through innovative leadership development that works.
In today’s evolving workplace, where new generations of professionals demand more meaningful work, growth, and healthier support, what got us here just won’t cut it anymore. That’s where we step in.
Awesome People Leaders is more than a training company; it's a movement to redefine work, leadership and organizational culture. With a foundation built on neuroscience, emotional intelligence, belonging, and a passion for creating healthy workplaces, Awesome People Leaders is driven by a passion for leadership excellence
Our Mission
To transform work experiences such that people thrive, great talent stays, and businesses grow.
Our History
The Journey Begins
Awesome People Leaders was born out of a clear need for better leadership development tools.
Founded by Heather Polivka in 2021, our journey started with the insight that our clients were seeking better ways to enhance the soft skills of their leaders.
Dissatisfied with the traditional models, Heather envisioned a solution that would match modern work patterns and the natural functioning of the human brain.
Our Values
We do what we say we will do — by when we say we will do it. We walk our talk. Accountability builds trust. And trust builds performance.
We Are Count-On-Able
We own our mistakes and share what we learn. We create space for others to do the same. We see people — and we make sure they know they are seen.
We Embrace Humanity
We believe a rising tide raises all boats. We pursue outcomes that work for the whole, not just the few.
We are clear about our needs and boundaries — and we respect the needs and boundaries of others.
We Build in Community
We give people the tools, clarity, and support to grow.
We are candid and kind. We teach people how to fish — so they can lead long after we’re gone.
We Empower, Not Enable
We are here to make a difference. We choose progress over perfection. We take ground. We don’t stand still.
We Move Forward with Intention
Building the Foundation
After validating the her concept with C-level executives, other leadership development practitioners, and a host of thought leaders, Heather officially launched the prototype of Awesome People Leaders in October 2021, and by January 2022, the program went live with breakthrough content ready to transform workplaces.
Growth & Recognition
Since our inception, Awesome People Leaders has grown quickly, more than doubling revenue in year two and extending our reach to the European market.
We are continuing the trend as the company has won new investors, industry recognition, and multiple honors, such as the SBA’s Minnesota Encore Entrepreneur of the Year, 2023 Inc. Magazine Power Partner, semi-finalist for the 2022 MNCup, and more.
Innovation & expansion
Continuously innovating, Awesome People Leaders is set to launch new offerings for culture, leadership, and inclusion in 2024 and is working on an initiative to integrate AI to identify critical moments when leaders need support the most, enhancing our real-time intervention capabilities.
Awesome People Leaders was born out of a clear need for better leadership development tools.
Founded by Heather Polivka in 2021, our journey started with the insight that our customers were seeking better ways to enhance the soft skills of their leaders.
Dissatisfied with the traditional models, Heather envisioned a solution that would match modern work patterns and the natural functioning of the human brain.
The Journey Begins
After validating the her concept with C-level executives, other leadership practitioners, neuroscientists, and a host of thought leaders, Heather officially launched the prototype of Awesome People Leaders in October 2021, and by January 2022, the program went live with breakthrough content ready to transform leaders and workplaces.
Building the Foundation
Since our inception, Awesome People Leaders has grown quickly, more than doubling revenue each year and extending reach to the European market.
We are continuing the trend as the company has won new investors, industry recognition, and multiple honors, such as 2025 Indiana Rally's Top 5 Finalist, the 2024 SBA’s Minnesota Encore Entrepreneur of the Year, 2023 Inc. Magazine Power Partner, semi-finalist for the 2022 MNCup, and more.
Growth & Recognition
Awesome People Leaders continues to evolve how organizations strengthen execution at the human layer.
In 2025, we expanded beyond leader capability to support all employees — reinforcing the everyday decisions, conversations, and behaviors that shape culture and performance.
That same year, we launched AwesomeEQ — our AI-powered plug-in delivering real-time decision and communication insights directly in the flow of work. After multiple pilots across the United States, AwesomeEQ is helping organizations move from after-the-fact training to in-the-moment capability building.
And we’re just getting started.
In 2026 and beyond, we are expanding our platform to provide ongoing culture reinforcement and execution visibility — helping organizations intentionally scale the behaviors that drive strategic success.
Because transforming work isn’t a one-time initiative. It’s a system.
And we’re building it.