Jeffrey Owen

Partner

Jeff Owen l Arête Purpose l Franklin, Indiana

Jeff's Focus

Jeff has been involved in Strategic Planning and Organizational Change either as a corporate partner, newspaper executive or consultant for more than 30 years. His work with clients includes:

  • Strategic Plan Projects
  • Organizational Change Consulting
  • Leadership Coaching and Training
  • Nonprofit Board Consulting
  • Seminar Presenting
Education
  • Western Illinois University, Bachelor's in Communications (Print Media) and Political Science
  • Cornell University, Certificate in Organizational Change
  • American Press Institute, Executive Editors Program

LINKEDIN

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

- Abraham Lincoln (and quoted often by my father.)

Jeff's Story

While most people my age are considering retirement, I just can't. I am awful at golf and don't like to fish. And just sitting around the house drives me nuts.

So, I have chosen to use my time and decades of experience to help leaders (especially younger ones) and organizations navigate change.

I have been involved in change management, strategic planning and leadership development for four decades. I believe leaders, companies and organizations must consistently remind themselves of purpose and work hard to remain relevant.

I have developed a collaborative process to help people and organizations overcome organizational inertia, resistance to change and complacent cultures - all fed by the "Tyranny of Success"1.

Successful people and organizations must understand why change has to happen, what has to change, who should lead, who should change and how to sustain and support change.

I have chaired and held leadership positions on several charitable and economic development boards. I served more than 30 years as an award-winning journalist and daily newspaper editor and publisher. I have spoken at state and regional conferences; was an adjunct instructor at Franklin College's Pulliam School of Journalism for 10 years; and have been a college guest lecturer at Indiana University-Indianapolis and the University of Indianapolis.

My wife Cathy (a retired special education teacher) and I live on 23 acres of Indiana farmland. We browse antique stores, enjoy traveling to Vermont and buy our fresh vegetables at local farmers' markets. We love Golden Retrievers and dote on our newest girls - Jasmine and Josie. Our son Adam and his wife Kim live in nearby Columbus, Indiana, where we meet them for Mexican food.

1Michael L. Tushman and Charles A. O'Reilly, Harvard University

Jeffs-Story