Why We're Reimagining the Workforce - Full Force

The Heartbeat Behind Organa | Caroline Burgreen, President & CEO

I’ve always believed that people are the heartbeat of any organization — long before I ever worked in HR or dreamed of building a company. That belief started early, growing up around an aluminum plant in South Carolina. My dad was a Plant Manager at the time, and each year the company hosted an annual family picnic for employees and their families. We’d attend those events — or occasionally stop by the Plant on a Saturday — and what struck me wasn’t the size of the operation or the complexity of the work. It was how my dad treated people. He knew employees by name, asked about their families, and took the time to genuinely connect. Regardless of role or title, people felt seen and valued — and you could see it in the way they lit up. I learned early that leadership isn’t about position. It’s about presence.

Those values were reinforced at home as well. I come from a Clemson family through and through — my dad, my brother, and I all graduated from there, and my parents married before my dad’s senior year. Clemson traditions shaped my understanding of loyalty, pride, and commitment, and one that has always resonated deeply with me is Howard’s Rock and the 110% philosophy. Giving more than what’s required — showing up fully, consistently, and with intention — is something I watched my parents live out in different but equally powerful ways.

2024 tested that philosophy in ways I never could have anticipated. I lost both my sister and my mom suddenly — my sister in March and my mom in October. My mom was my best friend and my biggest supporter. While I inherited much of my business drive and acumen from my dad, my mom shaped the way I lead just as profoundly. Her patience, determination, empathy, and quiet strength are qualities I strive to carry with me every day — in life and in business. My compass since losing her has been simple: show up in a way that would make her proud.

Even through that season, joy has always had a place in my story. Las Vegas has long been a special place for my family — years of trips, laughter, and shared memories that span well before and long after my husband and I were married. When we decided to get married, it felt only fitting to say “I do” there, surrounded by that joy, with my mom and dad in attendance. It was intimate, meaningful, and exactly right. Vegas continued to be a place we returned to together over the years — a place my mom truly loved — including one of her happiest moments when she celebrated her biggest jackpot just months before she passed. Those memories are ones I hold close, filled with light, laughter, and gratitude.

My husband and I have been married for 15 years, and he is truly my best friend. His support has been my anchor — not just in moments of success, but especially through loss and uncertainty. We don’t have children, but we do have two dogs who are very much part of our family: Maxwell, our 14-year-old black Labrador with the wisdom to match his age, and Dolly, our three-year-old Cavapoo who brings endless energy and personality into our home. They are daily reminders that presence, loyalty, and joy matter.

Professionally, my passion for people led me to start my career in Human Resources, but it evolved into something broader. I had the opportunity to lead teams and run a business segment as a Vice President focused on recruiting services — blending people leadership with business strategy. I loved building teams, growing a business centered on people, and solving complex talent challenges. It reaffirmed what I’ve always believed: organizations rise and fall based on their people.

That belief — shaped by family, loss, joy, leadership, and lived experience — is what ultimately led Kelly and me to build Organa. We envisioned a company that supports organizations across the full spectrum of talent and workforce needs — from leadership and hiring to strategy, structure, and long-term capability. At its core, Organa is about strengthening the human foundation of a business so it can grow, adapt, and thrive.

Organa exists because the heartbeat of an organization matters. Culture matters. People matter. And I’ve spent my life — personally and professionally — learning just how true that is. This company is built on loyalty, resilience, empathy, and the belief that giving 110% isn’t just a philosophy — it’s how you honor people and the legacies that shaped you. In the next section, Kelly shares what it feels like to step into this work — where courage, discipline, and growth meet.



Fear and Excitement Aren't Opposites - They're Teammates | Kelly Gerritse, Chief Operating Officer

If there is one thing athletics taught me, it’s that two very opposite emotions can exist at the exact same time.

I played Division I volleyball—both indoor and beach—and I was fortunate to be part of a beach volleyball team that made history by advancing to the first-ever NCAA National Championships in the sport. I still remember standing on the sand during that tournament, heart racing. We were stepping into something brand new, something the sport had never experienced before. It was thrilling and terrifying simultaneously. We were completely exposed—physically, mentally, and emotionally. There were no guarantees, only preparation, belief, and a willingness to step into uncertainty and give everything we had.

That same feeling has returned years later, but now in a very different arena.

After 11 years working within an organization I’ve poured so much into, Caroline and I are launching our own business together. It is one of the most exciting opportunities of my life—and also, in full honesty, one of the scariest. Entrepreneurship asks you to stand in the open again, to take risks, to believe in a vision that hasn’t happened yet, and to compete every day knowing the outcome is unknown.

But what I learned from that National Championship experience is this: Fear and excitement aren’t opposites—they’re teammates. You only feel fear when something matters. You only feel excitement when something has potential. And when both show up together, you’re standing at the edge of something worth pursuing.



So today, as we build Organa, I’m choosing to embrace both. Because growth lives in the space where discomfort meets possibility. And just like stepping onto that championship court, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

What Organa is Here to do - Full Force Workforce Reimagined

At Organa, our launch isn’t just a new company — it’s a response to a real, stubborn workforce crisis that isn’t going away. Across manufacturing, construction, technology, and other sectors, turnover remains stubbornly high, skill gaps continue to widen, and transformational forces like automation and AI are reshaping the future of work faster than most organizations are prepared for. Traditional staffing agencies fill today’s gaps. Tech consultants design ambitious futures. But too often, no one bridges both needs at once.

That’s where Organa steps in.

We believe workforce challenges demand solutions that balance today’s continuity with tomorrow’s capability. We don’t just plug holes in your headcount — we help you build stronger, future-ready teams that can respond to disruption, absorb innovation, and perform at a high level not just now — but for years to come.

Here’s how we make that real for our partners:

Empower People

We reskill and upskill workers into multi-crafted roles, building career pathways that boost retention and engagement. Your people become more capable, more fulfilled, and more committed — not just hired.

Customize Solutions

No two organizations are the same — and neither are our solutions. Whether it’s consulting on talent strategy, reshaping workforce development programs, or designing customized staffing plans, we partner with you to address your unique challenges and goals.

Innovate with Technology

We redesign workflows and facilitate human-plus-technology collaboration so that automation and robotics become tools for human success, not displacement. Our approach puts people at the center of innovation.

A Suite of Services Built Around Real Needs

Organa’s comprehensive workforce solutions are designed to ensure continuity today while building tomorrow’s capabilities:

• HR & Talent Acquisition Consulting — Strategy and process optimization to strengthen your internal capabilities.
• Executive and Direct Hire Recruiting — Filling leadership and critical roles with talent who can drive meaningful impact.
• Workforce Development — Reskilling, upskilling, and apprenticeship programs that prepare your workforce for what’s next.
• On-Demand Talent & Project Hire — Flexible resourcing to meet short-term needs without losing sight of long-term goals.
• Fractional CXO Services — Strategic leadership support that scales with your pace and priorities.
• Online Knowledge Platform & Workforce Intelligence — Insight to inform decisions and future planning.

Why This Matters to You

If your organization depends on human capital — whether it’s in production lines, digital innovation teams, operations, or service delivery — one truth stands out:

The future of your workforce isn’t something you survive — it’s something you build.

Organa exists to help you do just that — with clarity, confidence, and capability. We’d love to continue this conversation with you. To learn more or talk through your specific workforce challenges, reach out anytime.