About Us

Kris Pence is an organizational development consultant, Licensed Professional Counselor, and award-winning educator. He is passionate about human capital – aiding organizations in the retention of high value employees and attraction of new talent. Kris draws on more than a decade teaching political science and public policy, and nearly as long counseling/consulting with individuals, groups, and organizations. 

Pivot Group was started when Kris began consulting with organizations to develop and strengthen their people and processes. He has designed and delivered learning strategies to meet the needs of members of the boardroom to front line employees. Deepened engagement with leaders provided opportunities to aid in hiring decisions and subsequently finding talent. He has also partnered in generating organizational change by helping leaders clarify their goals, shift workplace cultures, close performance gaps, and achieve organizational objectives. 

Kris holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, with majors in Political Science, Psychology, and History. He also holds a Master of Arts in Political Science earned from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Kris additionally holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Michigan University (WMU), Kalamazoo, MI. He is in the final stages of doctoral work for a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from WMU. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (License # 6401015448) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (License # 4151000160) in the State of Michigan.

James has more than sixteen years of senior leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. In the private sector, James served as an executive working to grow businesses in southern Michigan. In the public sector, as City Manager of one of Michigan’s larger core communities he led one of the largest financial turnarounds in state history. James has also led executive recruitments for municipalities ranging in size from six employees to over 400 employees. This gives him a unique perspective on local government, as well as the needs of the business community. 

James holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in Marion, Indiana, with an emphasis in Political Science and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwood University DeVos Graduate School. 

James was named Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 in 2016, Michigan Chamber Foundation & JCI Michigan’s 2018 Outstanding Young Michigander, and in 2017 the Port Huron NAACP awarded him the Martin Luther King “Honorable Mention” for his work on equity and inclusion.

James has previously served as a keynote speaker for the Michigan Municipal League, West Michigan Policy Forum, and many colleges and universities. 

In addition to his formal education, James has proven experience in economic development, community development, government administration, human resources fiscal policy, grant writing, collective bargaining negotiations, project management, environmental protection, and constituent relations.