OUR APPROACHÂ
We are truth-seekers.
We ask the questions others may avoid. We look for the patterns beneath the presenting problem. We bring candor without losing care. We believe leadership begins with self, but it does not end there. Stronger leaders create stronger teams. Stronger teams create healthier, more capable organizations.
Our purpose is simple: to help leaders and teams develop the mindset, relationships, and disciplines they need to thrive.
LEADERSHIP
The people behind the work
MaryAnn Means, MPA, MSHRM
CEO AND FOUNDER
MaryAnn Means-Dufrene is the founder of Collective Growth, a leadership development and culture consultancy. In her work advising, coaching, and facilitating, she supports leaders and teams, aligning organizations for greater engagement, empowerment, and resilience. MaryAnn also co-hosts a self-development and relationship podcast, The Great Noticing, found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
MaryAnn has experience leading and advising organizations in both the private and public sectors, connecting people to purpose and supporting transformational outcomes. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in psychology and earned her Master of Public Administration and Master of Strategic Human Resource Management degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.
MaryAnn loves adventuring through life with her husband, son, and daughter and resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
Contact: [email protected]
Emily McAnelly
VP, STRATEGIC GROWTH
Emily McAnelly is the Vice President of Strategic Growth at Collective Growth. In her role, she leads business development and go-to-market strategy, ensuring CG products & services are repeatable, disruptive, and transformational offerings. Emily forges strategic partnerships, identifies new target markets, and builds the commercial systems that help Collective Growth grow with clarity and confidence. Emily's diverse background includes experience leading and advising cross-functional teams in AI-powered tech startups, developing robust pipelines with Fortune 100 pharma and CPG companies, building resilient financial systems, and managing a multi-state oil and gas asset portfolio.
Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts in Markets & Culture and Russian Studies from Southern Methodist University. She resides in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and three precocious children. She's been bitten by the competitive tennis bug and holds the fundamental belief that one should always have a chilled bottle of champagne ready to uncork, just in case.
Contact: [email protected]
Karen Finney
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Karen Finney is a seasoned talent strategist and leadership coach with 20 years of experience in strategic HR, talent management, and employee engagement. She specializes in developing people-centered strategies that enhance leadership effectiveness, drive retention, and shape a positive employee experience.
Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Science in Industrial & Labor Relations from Baruch College.
Karen lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband, daughters, and dogs, where she enjoys exploring new experiences and embracing lifelong learning.
Contact: [email protected]
Haley Andrade
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Haley Andrade brings a strong foundation in project management and strategic communication, developed through her work in both the non-profit and finance sectors. She is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and Sociology, graduating with honors. Haley’s dedication to excellence and her passion for making a positive impact align with the mission of Collective Growth.
Haley lives in Fort Worth, where she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog.
Contact: [email protected]
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ADVISORS
Extending our expertiseÂ
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Gerald Hastie
ADVISOR
Gerald Hastie is a former senior customer service executive whose career spans more than two decades of global operations leadership. At companies such as Google, Pinterest, and Roblox, he built and led large-scale teams, delivered measurable improvements in operational performance, and applied cutting-edge technology to solve complex business challenges.
His track record reflects a rare combination of hands-on operational expertise and strategic vision, earning him a reputation as a trusted leader in customer service transformation.
 
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James D. "Murph" Murphy
ADVISOR
 James D. "Murph" Murphy operates at the intersection of strategic execution and private equity. His approach to identifying and accelerating exceptional companies was forged through over 25 years of founding and scaling breakthrough organizations across multiple industries.
As founder of Afterburner Inc., Murphy built one of the premier business consulting firms recognized globally, serving 85% of the Fortune 50 and 14 NFL teams. His portfolio includes founding ACP and Roya Health, with multiple successful exits spanning his entrepreneurial career. Murphy's companies have achieved eleven consecutive appearances on the Inc 500/5000 list, with Murph earning recognition on Forbes' Small Giants list for sustainable, values-driven growth.
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Tyson Woodruff
ADVISOR
 Tyson Woodruff is a business technology executive and strategist who advises CIOs, CTOs, and IT executives on turning technology strategy into business results. He currently serves as an Associate Partner at Gartner, and previously held executive consulting and technology leadership roles at Slalom, PwC, Stripe, and American Family Insurance.
Before moving into business and technology consulting, Tyson served as a Special Agent with the FBI and an Intelligence Officer with the CIA. That background in federal law enforcement and intelligence, paired with two decades in corporate security, consulting, and technology leadership, gives him a distinct lens on risk, strategy, and execution. He is also a business owner at Gannett Logistics, where he partners with others to buy, invest in, and operate small to mid-sized businesses.Â
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We believe the most important work is both strategic and deeply human.
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Organizations do not change because a plan is well written. They change when leaders are willing to see clearly, make thoughtful choices, have honest conversations, and build new ways of working together.
Collective Growth brings together strategy, organizational design, leadership development, culture, and practical integration. We work alongside leaders—not at a distance— to help meaningful change take hold.
