05/15/2024
2024 is a milestone year for Sendero as it marks 20 years since Bret and Ruth Farrar founded the company. From humble beginnings in a garage office, the past 20 years have been marked with countless achievements and celebratory events. Regardless of how much time has passed, Sendero’s dedication to our core values and determination to nurture an inclusive, people-first culture has remained consistent.
We asked a few of our longest-tenured employees to reflect on their time at Sendero and discuss their career highlights.
What initially led you to Sendero? What enticed you to join the company in its early days?
Melody Mattox, Chief People Officer: I first learned about Sendero while it was being formed as I worked with Bret at the time. A few years later, when I was looking to return to consulting, Bret’s passion and vision and Ruth’s understanding of what I was looking for in a role laid the groundwork for me to join Sendero as employee #16.
Wayne Tung, Managing Director: As employee #17 in 2009, Sendero was a small, growing firm with an entrepreneurial spirit. Having the opportunity to help grow and grow with a company was the key reason I joined Sendero.
Susanne Turnbo, Managing Director: I had worked with Bret on a few projects prior to joining the company and ultimately I decided to join based on hearing his vision and the fact that I already knew we shared similar core values. This gave me the unique opportunity to join as employee #4.
How have you seen some of the early aspects of Sendero stay consistent as the company has matured and grown?
Melody: I cannot understate Sendero’s commitment to our Core Values. This is the only company I have experienced, as an employee or as a consultant, where the Core Values are truly lived every day and used when making business decisions for Sendero’s future.
Wayne: Sendero is still powered by our people: employees who are focused on delivering results, always willing to help, and who remain even-tempered even during the most challenging projects.
Susanne: We still have our entrepreneurial spirit from the early days. Even though we are larger now with more structure, anyone can still make an impact on this company, regardless of title.
What is a project or initiative that you have worked on during your time at Sendero that you are most proud of?
Melody: If forced to pick one, I would choose the development of our Culture Behaviors Framework. We had wrestled for years on how best to hold our people accountable to our Core Values, always feeling that it was too difficult a task. Finding a Ken Blanchard white paper on turning your values into behaviors and reading The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey provided a path forward. We formed a team and developed the first version of the Culture Behaviors Framework using these resources.
Wayne: A key project I am proud of was driving outsourcing agreements that saved two Sendero clients over $20 million. These projects drove tangible results for the clients and built our credibility while we were still a young company.
Susanne: I have been part of many client engagements as well as internal efforts, but being on the ground floor of our industry practice buildout has been both a worthy and rewarding challenge.
What has been a standout memory of your time at Sendero?
Melody: I don’t have a single favorite memory! There are too many. My favorite thing about my time at Sendero is being a part of so many people’s careers – helping them grow and develop, seeing them stumble and succeed, and supporting them along their journeys.
Wayne: At the all-company quarterly meeting celebrating Sendero’s 10th anniversary, I dunked my face into the cake on a dare from a colleague.
Susanne: The first time we placed on the Dallas Business Journal Best Places to Work was very exciting. Attending the luncheon and being featured in the publication gave us the opportunity to show that we were building a real company and we’re here to stay.
What are you most anticipating as Sendero enters its next chapter?
Melody: I am anticipating Sendero continuing to grow in all facets! In our industry practices, our alliances, our business overall, and most importantly our people.
Wayne: In the coming years, I want to help Sendero achieve key financial growth goals.
Susanne: I tell our new employees that even though they are joining now, I think there is still so much of our story yet to be written (cue Natasha Bedingfield here). Seeing the Sendero brand grow in its reach and recognition is something that would give me a great sense of pride, knowing we can impact even more people, communities, and companies.
To learn more about Sendero’s history and people, visit the Who We Are page.