Meet Kristine

I'm Dr. Kristine Gentry, a cultural anthropologist, organizational culture consultant, and founder of Culture Grove.

I've spent more than 20 years studying how people think, work, and interact—and helping organizations use those insights to solve real problems.

My work has taken me from conducting anthropological fieldwork in Central America to university classrooms, consulting engagements, and corporate leadership roles. Along the way, I've worked with organizations across healthcare, education, energy, aviation, and other industries.

One thing I've learned is that the challenges organizations face rarely have simple explanations. What's written in a strategy document or employee handbook doesn't always reflect how work actually happens.

That's where I like to start.

An Anthropologist's Approach

As an anthropologist, I'm interested in the gap between what people say, what they do, and the organizational conditions that shape their choices.

I ask questions. I listen. I look for patterns, underlying assumptions, and the unwritten rules that influence everyday behavior.

But understanding the problem is only the beginning.

I believe the real value of research comes from translating insights into practical changes—helping leaders make better decisions, teams work more effectively, and organizations create environments where people can do their best work.

Experience That Bridges Research and Practice

Before founding Culture Grove, I held leadership roles spanning organizational research, consulting, innovation, and strategy.

At Deutser, I led organizational research and helped develop approaches connecting culture assessments with leadership behaviors, communications, and organizational practices.

At Texas Health Resources, I led consumer and organizational insights work supporting strategic decisions in a complex healthcare environment.

I've also worked directly with leaders and employees to design culture initiatives, prepare organizations for transformation, and translate research into practical tools and learning experiences.

Across these roles, I've been equally drawn to the big-picture strategy and the hands-on work of making change happen.

Selected Organizations

Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work with organizations across healthcare, education, energy, aviation, and other industries. Each has offered a different perspective on how culture, leadership, and organizational practices shape the way people work.

Healthcare
Texas Health Resources · Houston Methodist · Children's Memorial Hermann · St. Luke's Health · Covenant Health System

Education
Houston Community College · Rice University · City College of San Francisco · Katy iSD · The Kinkaid School · Auburn University

Energy, Aviation & Industrial Services
Apache Corporation · PHI Air Medical · Gyrodata · Industrial Services Corporation

Continuing the Conversation

I'm also the co-host of Collaborative Culture, a podcast I created with Monica M. Smith to explore what it takes to build workplaces where people and organizations thrive.

Through conversations with leaders, researchers, authors, and people doing innovative work, we explore the ideas and everyday practices that shape organizational culture.

Listen to Collaborative Culture →