Our Why

Too many mission-driven organizations with incredible intentions fall short—not from lack of heart, but from systems and cultures that don’t fully support their values. It’s heartbreaking to see inspiring visions become just words on a wall, especially when leaders and teams are trying so hard to do good.

Through years of leading, coaching, and working across complex systems, we’ve learned that living your values isn’t about slogans or one-time initiatives. It’s about the systems that shape what people actually do each day.

Systems sustain behavior. Behavior sustains culture.

Our background in behavioral science helps us see how motivation, structure, and relationships influence daily actions — and how easily misalignment leads to frustration, burnout, and disengagement. We’ve seen what’s possible when alignment takes root: when leaders are empowered, when systems reinforce what matters, and when clarity replaces confusion. That’s when culture becomes a living force. That’s when people come alive in their work.

Rooted Aspen exists to make that possible — because when work feels ore human, people and purpose thrive.

Our Approach

Transformation starts beneath the surface, where organizations are complex, dynamic, and deeply human.

Rooted Aspen bridges the science of behavior with the art of organizational development, helping leaders build cultures that last. Our approach draws from three interconnected disciplines:

  • The precision of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM),

  • The systems perspective of Organizational Development (OD), and

  • The human insight of Industrial-Organizational Psychology (I-O).

This integration allows us to translate values into daily practice, shaping behaviors and systems that sustain alignment over time—not as a one-time initiative, but as a living ecosystem.

Our Guiding Principles

Interconnected

Culture isn’t created in silos. We take a systems view, recognizing that people, processes, and behaviors are deeply connected. We help uncover those connections and align them to reinforce what matters most.

Intentional

Every organization is unique. We don’t offer plug-and-play solutions. Instead, we design strategies with care—ensuring your structures, systems, and practices reflect your values and advance your goals.

Rooted

Sustainable change requires depth. We build internal capacity, reinforce values through daily practices, and cultivate cultures that grow and adapt over time. Rooted change is what makes impact last.

Meet the Founder

Dr. Shanun Kunnavatana
Founder

Shanun Kunnavatana brings over 25 years of experience in behavioral science, leadership, organizational strategy, and people development. Her career began in clinical services, but her passion has always been empowering others to create meaningful impact. As a Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), she holds a deep-rooted belief that people can achieve extraordinary things when given the right support.

Throughout her career, Shanun has led outcomes management, developed leadership pipelines, redesigned training systems, and helped-mission-driven organizations scale without losing sight of their values. Whether guiding a leadership team through change, aligning culture with operations, or coaching individuals to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence, Shanun brings both strategic insight and grounded execution.

What sets Shanun apart is how she thinks. She connects dots others miss, asks questions others avoid, untangles complexity, and turns insight into practical, actionable strategies. Her approach is shaped by integrity, curiosity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to equity.

Shanun founded Rooted Aspen in 2025 to help organizations bring their values to life by aligning culture, leadership, and systems.

Her goal is simple: to help people and organizations thrive—intentionally, sustainably, and with purpose.

The Meaning Behind Our Name

The name Rooted Aspen is inspired by the aspen tree—an organism known for its strength, resilience, and deep interconnectedness. While each tree appears to stand alone, aspens actually grow from a shared root system beneath the surface. It’s that unseen connection that gives the grow its stability and ability to thrive, even in harsh conditions.

But aspens do more than support one another—they support their entire ecosystem. Aspen groves are known for restoring balance in their environments, filtering what’s harmful and nurturing what’s needed to keep everything around them healthier. Their influence extends far beyond their own footprint.

This mirrors how we think about organizations. Culture isn’t just what’s visible on the surface; it’s shaped by the values, systems, and relationships underneath. When those roots are intentionally aligned, people grow stronger—together.

At Rooted Aspen, we believe that when we support one another, our collective impact multiplies. We grow taller, more resilient, and more purpose-driven—not just as individuals, but as a whole.

This is the transformation we strive for: rooted within, connected across the organization, and strong enough to make a lasting difference.

Contact us

Curious about working together? Reach out and let’s explore how Rooted Aspen can support your culture, leadership, and growth.