DK Brand Collective
Leadership Development & Organizational Culture Consulting
We help high-performing organizations strengthen their leadership, elevate their teams, and build a culture people are proud to be part of. High-performing doesn't mean perfect, it means you care about your people and you're ready to invest in them.
DK Brand Collective is a certified minority-owned leadership and organizational culture consulting firm based in Connecticut. Every engagement is led directly by our founder and lead trainer, you work with us from the first session to the last.
Every engagement is guided by our DDP Framework — Desire, Drive, and Purpose — a people-first approach that connects individual leadership growth to lasting organizational performance.
What We Do
Leadership Development Programs
Structured, multi-month programs that strengthen communication, accountability, and team performance across your organization.
Executive & Organizational Coaching
One-on-one and organizational coaching for executives, directors, and managers navigating growth, change, or leadership transitions.
Leadership Events & Experiences
Vision consulting and day-of coordination for organizations that want their events to reflect the culture they've built — from leadership retreats and team celebrations to community gatherings.
People First Certification Program
Our signature year-long partnership combining training, coaching, and workshops culminating in your organization's official People First Employer certification.
Our Services
We partner with organizations that are already doing well and are serious about getting better across childcare and youth programs, corporate and professional teams, nonprofits and community organizations, and retail and hospitality teams. Whether you're scaling and developing leaders for the first time or strengthening a team that's already performing well, we build programs around where you are and where you want to go.
Who We Work With
Meriden YMCA partnered with DK Brand Collective to strengthen leadership confidence and team communication across their childcare staff. Here's what happened:
✔ 100% of staff reported increased confidence at work
✔ 93.9% satisfied or very satisfied with the program
✔ Renewed for a full year of ongoing training and coaching
"I recently hired DK Brand Collective for a training program and I can honestly say it exceeded all my expectations. Derek designed and tailored the training and materials specific to the childcare content we discussed." — Tina Valentin, Director of Childcare Operations, Meriden YMCA
What Our Clients Experience
Want to Know If Your Team Is Ready?
Kelly Houston — Founder & Principal Consultant
Kelly brings over 20 years of experience in operational leadership, youth development, and organizational culture. She currently serves as a Childcare Director overseeing hiring, staff development, budgeting, and multi-layer leadership systems, giving her direct, real-world insight into the challenges organizations face as they scale. She is completing her MBA in Marketing at Post University.
Derek Jones — Lead Trainer & Executive Coach
Derek brings over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership, banking, facilitation, and team development. As a Certified Corporate Trainer and Master Business Coach, he currently serves as a Vice President Team Leader in the financial industry, leading one of the top-performing teams nationally. He is a Marquis Who's Who honoree and recipient of multiple leadership and service excellence awards.
Who You're Working With
✔ BBB Accredited — A+ Rating
✔ Member, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
✔ Certified Black Woman-Owned Small Business (MBE/WBE)
✔ Certified Corporate Trainer — Six Sigma Global Institute
✔ Featured on Fox61 News
Credentials & Affiliations
Ready to Elevate Your Organization?
The first step is a two-minute inquiry form. Tell us about your organization and your goals, we'll come to the conversation prepared.
