DK Brand Collective strengthens leadership effectiveness, aligns organizational culture, and helps growing teams build sustainable performance.
Leadership & Culture Consulting Rooted in Real-World Experience
Partnering with expanding organizations across Connecticut and nationwide.
About DK
Based in Bristol, Connecticut, DK Brand Collective is a certified minority-owned leadership and organizational culture consulting firm delivering structured training, executive coaching, and culture alignment solutions for growing organizations.
We partner with businesses, nonprofits, childcare and youth programs, schools, retail and hospitality teams, and community organizations to strengthen leadership clarity, improve communication systems, and build cultures that support measurable performance and long-term growth.
Founded by Kelly Houston, a leadership strategist and organizational development professional, DK Brand Collective operates through a two-expert partnership model alongside Lead Trainer Derek Jones, an experienced leadership coach and professional development trainer. Together, they provide direct, hands-on guidance working closely with leadership teams to align people, systems, and strategy.
Beyond consulting, Kelly and Derek have built and scaled multiple successful ventures, including a recognized nonprofit organization, a trademarked clothing brand, and a leadership-focused podcast Together We Solve: The Power Couple Podcast reaching an engaged audience of more than 300,000 followers. This real-world brand development and community-building experience strengthens the strategic insight we bring to leadership visibility, organizational positioning, and culture-driven growth initiatives.
Guided by the DDP Framework — Desire, Drive, and Purpose — our work integrates leadership training, executive coaching, and organizational culture alignment to create sustainable growth across teams and departments. Strategic organizational and community experiences are designed to reinforce mission, strengthen engagement, and support long-term credibility.
What makes DK Brand Collective different is simple: we do not deliver a program and walk away. You work directly with a hands-on founder and dedicated Lead Trainer who remain engaged until leadership development and cultural alignment are measurable and sustainable across your organization.
While proudly based in Connecticut, DK Brand Collective provides virtual and on-site leadership training, executive coaching, and organizational consulting services nationwide.
Our mission is to strengthen organizations by building leadership capacity, reinforcing accountability, and aligning teams around clear communication and shared purpose. Through structured leadership development, executive coaching, and culture alignment strategies, we help organizations operate with clarity, ownership, and measurable performance. We believe sustainable growth happens when leaders think strategically, teams communicate consistently, and workplace culture supports both people and results.
Our Mission
Empowerment – We strengthen leadership capacity through clarity, confidence, and disciplined development.
Ownership – Sustainable growth requires responsibility, accountability, and decisive action.
Growth – Leadership development and organizational performance evolve together.
Clarity – Structured, practical systems outperform complexity and confusion.
Integrity & Impact – We deliver what we commit to and measure success by tangible, measurable results.
Our Core Values
Meet Kelly
Founder & Principal Consultant
Kelly Houston is the Founder and Principal Consultant of DK Brand Collective, a Connecticut-based leadership and culture transformation firm serving growing organizations across people-driven industries. She specializes in organizational alignment, leadership development strategy, and culture systems that strengthen accountability, communication, and sustainable performance.
With over 20 years of experience spanning operational leadership, youth development, team management, and strategic brand positioning, Kelly brings both executive-level oversight and practical implementation expertise to her work. She currently serves as a Childcare Director, where she oversees hiring, staff development, budgeting, compliance, and multi-layer leadership systems — giving her direct insight into the complexities organizations face as they scale.
Kelly has led and managed teams of 30+ staff, developed structured professional development programs, and implemented performance systems designed to improve communication clarity and workplace consistency. She is currently completing her MBA in Marketing at Post University, further strengthening her strategic approach to leadership positioning, organizational growth, and performance alignment.
Her background in fashion, media, and event production contributes to her ability to design impactful leadership experiences and communication strategies that resonate across diverse audiences. By blending structure with emotional intelligence, Kelly helps organizations create measurable behavioral change that extends beyond workshops and into daily leadership practice.
As Co-Founder of DK Movement Cares, she also supports community-centered leadership initiatives, reinforcing her belief that strong leadership builds stronger organizations and stronger communities.
Through DK Brand Collective, Kelly partners with executives, Directors, and leadership teams to build confident leaders, align teams around shared standards, and strengthen workplace cultures where people and performance grow together.
Meet Derek
Lead Trainer & Business Coach
Derek J. Jones serves as Lead Trainer and Executive Coach at DK Brand Collective, specializing in leadership development, performance alignment, and organizational execution. With over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership, banking, facilitation, and team development, Derek works with executives, Directors, and operational leaders to strengthen accountability, communication, and measurable performance outcomes.
As a Certified Corporate Trainer through Six Sigma Global Institute and Master Business Coach through Transformation Academy, Derek integrates structured leadership strategy with emotional intelligence, communication discipline, and execution-focused coaching. His work helps organizations move beyond surface-level training and into sustainable leadership development that improves team performance and decision-making under pressure.
In his corporate career, Derek serves as a Vice President Team Leader in the financial industry, where he leads one of the top-performing teams nationally. His leadership approach emphasizes operational clarity, customer excellence, accountability, and consistent performance — principles he applies directly in his work with organizational clients.
Leadership & Community Engagement
Derek is also Co-Founder and President of DK Movement Cares, where he leads community-based leadership initiatives including the annual DK Movement Cares 5K Run/Walk and the development of the Mind & Motion Plus Youth Program. These initiatives reflect his belief that leadership extends beyond the workplace and into meaningful community impact.
Recognition & Credentials
• Certified Corporate Trainer – Six Sigma Global Institute
• Master Business Coach – Transformation Academy
• Vice President Team Leader, Financial Industry
• Marquis Who’s Who Honoree
• Recipient of multiple leadership and service excellence awards