Kimie Porter, Chief Culture Officer at Choice Financial Group, is a visionary leader who seamlessly blends her expertise in Human Resources with a deep commitment to mindfulness and transformational leadership. Driven by a passion for conscious expansion, Kimie empowers both individuals and organizations to evolve, creating a positive, lasting impact on their culture and growth.
From Retail to Human Resources
Kimie Porter’s journey into Human Resources began unexpectedly. While studying psychology at Old Dominion University, she worked at “The Limited,” managing a team and balancing the financial pressures of tuition. The experience shaped her understanding of leadership. “I thrived in the fast-paced environment and embraced the rigorous standards,” she recalls.
After ten years of long hours and weekends, Kimie decided it was time for a change. “Once I graduated, I decided that 10 years of working weekends and holidays was enough,” she says. Transitioning to HR, she quickly realized she had found her true calling. “I knew immediately that I made the right decision,” she reflects.
For Kimie, HR offered the perfect mix of her passions — engaging with people, building teams, and driving organizational change. “It seemed to be a melting pot of everything I enjoyed,” she shares, aligning her values with her professional growth.
Leading with Purpose in a Fast-Paced World
Kimie’s days as Chief Culture Officer at Choice Financial Group are anything but routine. Each morning unfolds with a blend of strategic planning, high-level problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. She seamlessly navigates through onboarding new Merger Partners, developing leadership programs, structuring national recruitment efforts, and addressing pressing operational challenges.
Through it all, her focus remains clear: driving solutions, ensuring seamless execution, and empowering leadership to make informed decisions. “Each day is a dynamic mix of strategic initiatives, problem-solving, and collaboration,” Kimie says, reflecting on the high-energy demands of her role. Adaptability and precision define her approach, allowing her to move effortlessly between big-picture vision and immediate action.
While her professional life demands agility, Kimie remains equally committed to maintaining a sense of balance. Technology plays a crucial role in keeping her connected to the company’s daily operations, allowing her to intervene when unforeseen challenges arise.
However, she credits a strong, empowered team with giving her the ability to step away when needed. “The key to maintaining my personal life is building a dependable and trustworthy team who is empowered to run their own shows,” she explains.
That trust enables her to carve out time for personal passions, including hosting her Goddess Gathering events and traveling the world. Whether leading cultural transformation at work or fostering deeper connections in her personal life, she operates with a strong sense of purpose.
“Empowerment is not about stepping back — it’s about lifting others so that you can move forward.”
Achieving Harmony Through Trust and Empowerment
Kimie has mastered the delicate art of balancing her professional responsibilities with her personal life, a feat she credits to the combination of technology and a strong, reliable team. “Fortunately, with technology, I always have access to keep my finger on the pulse of the daily operations of the company,” Kimie explains.
With constant access to the company’s operations, she can stay connected and engaged with the daily challenges that arise. However, technology alone is not enough. For Kimie, the key to maintaining a fulfilling personal life lies in her ability to empower her team. She believes in building a dependable and trustworthy team capable of handling unforeseen challenges without her direct intervention.
“The key to maintaining my personal life is building a dependable and trustworthy team who is empowered to run their shows and capable of putting out whatever fires come their way,” she says. This trust allows her to step back when needed and carve out time for her passions, such as organizing her Goddess Gathering events.
Beyond her work, Kimie cherishes the opportunity to travel and explore the world, a pursuit that has become an important aspect of her personal growth. By delegating responsibility and trusting her team, she creates the space necessary to enjoy both her professional achievements and her passions.
“The key to maintaining my personal life is building a dependable and trustworthy team who is empowered to run their shows.”
Shaping Culture and Building Lasting Impact
Kimie’s greatest professional achievement is not defined solely by her title but by the profound impact she’s had on the organizations she’s led. As Chief Culture Officer, she takes great pride in shaping and guiding her company’s culture. “As a woman of color, I take great pride in achieving the level of Chief Culture Officer, which allows me the privilege of being in a position to influence and shape the culture of our company,” she shares.
Her sense of accomplishment extends beyond her current role. Kimie has left a legacy at each organization she’s served, creating sustainable infrastructures that ensure long-term success. “I am also proud of the fact that each previous company I have served was left with a solid infrastructure that set them up for long-term sustainability,” she reflects.
This includes not only implementing effective business strategies but also empowering her teams with the skills and acumen to thrive. Kimie’s leadership is marked by the lasting effects of her efforts — well-trained teams and enduring culture. Reflecting on her career, she believes it is these enduring impacts that define her success.
One project Kimie is particularly proud of is her role in establishing the foundational infrastructure that positioned her current company for future success. She worked at the ground level, applying her industry knowledge to create processes, policies, and procedures that drive operational excellence.
Additionally, Kimie introduced unconventional wellness initiatives, including Sound Healing, Quantum Energetics, and Positive Intelligence, which have positively impacted the well-being of her team members both personally and professionally.
“I take great pride in being in a position to influence and shape the culture of our company.”
Leadership Lessons and the Power of Open Communication
Throughout her career, Kimie has worked with a range of leaders — some inspiring, others more challenging. “I quickly learned that leadership styles vary, and not all prioritize strategic foresight, collaboration, or genuine employee engagement,” she recalls.
These varied experiences taught Kimie valuable lessons that shaped her leadership style. Rather than becoming discouraged, she focused on fostering open communication and trust. “I focused on fostering open communication, building trust, and ensuring that people felt seen and heard,” she shares.
Kimie’s approach emphasizes transparency and connection, ensuring teams remain aligned and engaged, even in difficult situations. She believes leadership is about creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered.
“Leadership isn’t just about strategy; it’s about creating an environment where people feel seen and heard.”
Building a Culture of Oneness
At Choice Financial Group, one of the fastest-growing companies in the insurance industry, Kimie has spearheaded initiatives that reflect her unwavering commitment to shaping a unified and resilient company culture. With mergers and integration forming a critical part of the organization’s expansion strategy, Kimie has been at the forefront of ensuring that cultural alignment keeps pace with rapid growth.
Kimie takes great pride in the culture of oneness she has helped cultivate across the company. “I am proud to have established a culture of oneness where our divisional partners across the nation are both empowered to maintain their sense of independence while simultaneously working together as a unified force toward our standards of excellence,” she shares.
This balance — allowing divisions to retain their individuality while fostering collaboration — has been instrumental in maintaining a strong, cohesive company culture amidst the challenges of growth. Central to Kimie’s approach is the engagement initiatives she has implemented, which have played a significant role in stabilizing the organization’s perception of change.
These initiatives aim to bridge gaps between divisions and reinforce the company’s commitment to mutual success. “Implementing engagement initiatives to integrate our various work families has had a significant impact on stabilizing a positive perception of change and bridging the gaps to sustain a more cohesive alliance among divisions,” Kimie explains.
Her efforts have not only helped ease the transition during periods of expansion but have also strengthened the bonds between different teams, ensuring that the company moves forward as one unified entity, committed to its standards of excellence. “A culture of oneness allows our divisional partners to maintain their sense of independence while simultaneously working together as a unified force toward our standards of excellence.”
Guiding the Future of HR Leadership
Kimie views her role as a responsibility to shape the next generation of HR leaders — those who will drive innovation and challenge the status quo. “I believe it is our responsibility as leaders to groom the next generation to be innovators who understand the importance of spearheading new ideas and not being afraid to voice their opinion and disrupt,” she explains.
Throughout her career, she has taken every opportunity to introduce fresh concepts and ideas to the corporate realm, empowering her team to think creatively and embrace change. As both a leader and a mentor, Kimie is dedicated to igniting the individual passions of her team members.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see members take the foundational lessons I’ve taught them to greater heights on their path to success. I am very proud that many of my previous direct reports have gone on to achieve VP and/or executive status,” she reflects. The most rewarding part of her journey has been seeing those she has mentored take the foundational lessons she imparted and build upon them to reach greater heights in their careers.
For those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Kimie offers timeless advice: “Do what you love, be fearless, be kind, operate with integrity, strive for excellence, strategize your actions, create an environment of oneness, and make decisions that are for the good of all.” Her words highlight the essential qualities that define great leadership in the HR industry.
Rethinking Corporate Paradigms for Collective Growth
At Choice Financial Group, Kimie integrates mindfulness and transformational leadership to cultivate a culture of conscious expansion. She introduced the “Meeting of the Mind” meditation platform and hosts monthly learning luncheons on topics like Brain-Based Resilience and Positive Intelligence. “These topics have been very well received,” she shares, highlighting their positive impact on her team.
Kimie believes that corporate paradigms need to evolve to promote conscious expansion and collective growth. For her, this change is rooted in the recognition that business success is inherently linked to the well-being of teams. “It is important to recognize the interconnectedness between business success and the well-being of their teams,” she shares.
Rather than seeing conscious expansion as an abstract or philosophical ideal, Kimie views it through a scientific lens. She explains, “Conscious expansion is less of an ethereal philosophy and more of a cognitive concept based on science and quantum mechanics.” By integrating these principles, companies can foster environments that not only boost business outcomes but also enhance the holistic growth of employees.
Kimie also co-founded the Goddess Gather G.L.O.B.A.L. group, which has grown to nearly two thousand members globally. Its mission is to assist individuals in discovering their true selves and elevating the planet’s vibration to one of love. “Our mission is to recognize our authentic selves, raise the vibration of the planet to one of love, and to ascend towards a new world,” she explains.
“Success isn’t just measured by the bottom line, but by how connected and supported people feel in the workplace.”
A Future Built on Purpose and Unity
Kimie’s goals for the future are rooted in both her professional passion and her purpose. Professionally, she aims to continue working with organizations that share her belief in the power of unity and strategic alliances, helping clients access unmatched resources while setting new standards of excellence. “I want to continue to do what I love, working with an organization whose mission aligns with the power of unity and partnership,” she says.
On a personal level, Kimie is committed to honoring her authentic self and living with the highest purpose to help shift humanity. Her strategy for achieving these goals is simple: “I follow my heart; it always guides me in the right direction.”
“I follow my heart; it always guides me in the right direction.”
Conclusion
With a focus on shifting paradigms and fostering collective growth, Kimie Porter continues to inspire those around her to embrace mindfulness and lead with purpose. Her dedication to both personal and professional transformation ensures that both the individuals and organizations she works with will continue to excel to new heights, advancing toward a more conscious and impactful future.
