Today we’d like to introduce you to Patti Tutalo

Hi Patti, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

My journey began back in 2003 when I was a young officer at the Naval Academy Preparatory School, assigned as a company officer. I oversaw a company of about 100 midshipmen and cadet candidates. They were at prep school for 10 months before moving on to the Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, or Merchant Marine Academy. Most of the students were fresh out of high school, though there were some enlisted members as well. They were young and vulnerable and needed someone to advocate for them. It was there that I found my voice and, for the first time, stood up to authority figures who were not doing the right thing. This became the foundation of my work.

Early one Monday morning, I received a call from a father who believed his daughter had been sexually assaulted over the weekend. He mentioned that she had showered repeatedly and was deeply distraught. We had a mandatory reporting policy at the time, so I followed protocol and reported it to my chain of command, ensuring the victim received immediate medical attention. Much to my surprise, the commanding officer (Captain) tried to cover the whole thing up, even calling medical to tell them nothing had happened. He also interfered with NCIS, trying to stop the investigation entirely. The victim was already in a terrible place, and this response was the worst possible outcome. I regularly spoke with the father, but how could I possibly explain what was happening? I ended up reporting the situation to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) at the Naval Academy, who worked directly for the Superintendent, completely jumping my chain of command. That was the day I thought my career was over – I had just called out my commanding officer for not following protocol.

Immediately after reporting the incident to the SARC, I called my Coast Guard boss in tears. She told me she was proud of me for doing the right thing. Sadly, the young woman ended up leaving the school, and her military career ended abruptly due to a perpetrator and a command that failed her by not doing the right thing.

I felt ill-equipped to handle that situation. I didn’t feel prepared to support a person going through so much trauma. This experience led me to pursue my master’s degree in Holistic Counseling. This program was transformational for me. I first learned about myself, which was essential to the work I do today. Self-awareness is a journey, not a destination, and something I work on daily. Dr. Jack Childs, founder of the Holistic Counseling program at Salve Regina University, once said, “You are only as effective as you are living effectively.” This concept of first knowing myself and taking care of myself before taking care of others was a big revelation. We are all interconnected, and how we show up or don’t show up, impacts the system we’re part of.

Through this program, I also learned how to meet people and organizations where they are on their journey. It’s their journey, not mine, so I approach each situation with curiosity, asking questions that promote growth on their terms. A good counselor doesn’t give advice but instead walks with others on their journey. Now, as a consultant, I still use these same concepts. I believe that the solutions organizations seek already exist within them. My role is to help draw those solutions out and strategically implement them so the system can thrive. This is the craft and the art of my work. No one knows you better than you, and no one knows the company better than the people within it. So, who am I to push my ideas on a person or organization when they may not resonate? Instead, we work together. With more tools in my toolbox, I am equipped to address individual issues and work with large systems, helping them grow and become better versions of themselves.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It hasn’t always been a smooth road. The way we do business is unconventional, and there are many days when imposture syndrome sets in. Will our model work? Are we doing a good enough job? Is the pace of change too slow? All these things can creep up and hit hard. But I’m grateful to be surrounded by a team and an amazing support network that believes in our work. We also have amazing clients who value our work and truly appreciate us. When your work comes from your heart, it is easy to worry and get discouraged, but that strong network will always be there to help you rise above the challenges.

There have also been times when I’ve made mistakes in trusting individuals or organizations whose intentions didn’t align with ours. Some were in it for money or their own self-promotion. As a business owner, this happens, and I have no regrets. It taught me to ask better questions and screen people and businesses more thoroughly. But you don’t know what you don’t know. That is part of the growth and learning process. Fortunately, none of these situations had too much of a financial impact, and they made me stronger and wiser as I moved forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

We are a company specializing in cultural transformation. Our approach involves looking at the system as a whole and identifying gaps or problem areas that may not be immediately obvious. These could include policy changes, personnel adjustments, training, or even targeted interventions with specific leaders. There is no one-size-fits-all solution or magic bullet. Everything we do is highly customized to fit the needs of each organization. Our goal is to help organizations become better versions of themselves.

In my holistic counseling classes, I learned the value of simply observing and asking pointed questions to spark discussion and awareness. Once there is awareness and a desire to evolve, we work with the organization to develop solutions and strategies that align with their vision, goals, and timeline. This buy-in is key to creating lasting change. One of our core company values is to infuse love into every system we work with, and we’ve found that that simple intention is often the catalyst for true cultural transformation.

We also don’t impose a strict timeline on organizations. They determine the pace at which they transform. Some organizations move quickly, while others take more time – and that’s perfectly fine.

There are so many consultants out there, but what differentiates us is – we draw the solutions out of the client. They have wisdom within them and don’t realize it. Our model is not an exact template but rather acknowledges the uniqueness of each organization, and together, we map the path to success. We understand that every organization has strong traditions and culture, especially the maritime industry and the military. Honoring those organizations where they are is a critical piece to transformation.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

What we’ve learned throughout our journey is that real change doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether it’s a person or an organization, transformation comes from within and requires self-awareness, a willingness to ask hard questions, and, most importantly, the courage to take action. Our work is rooted in the belief that we all have the potential to become better versions of ourselves, but it takes a team, trust, and a shared commitment to get there.

If there’s one message we want to leave with your readers, it’s this: Don’t underestimate your own wisdom, and don’t be afraid to bring love into the workplace. It may sound simple, but when we infuse compassion and care into how we lead, work, and show up, the results can be extraordinary. Cultural transformation isn’t about forcing change – it’s about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued, and from there, anything is possible.

We don’t change systems or change culture – we transform them for the better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pattitutalo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-tutalo/