Our Team
Outstanding speakers and trainers, plus a talented behind-the-scenes team ensure a successful program…every time!
Retention problems are costly.
We reduce unnecessary employee turnover by shifting manager mindsets and bridging generational gaps. This dramatically decreases turnover costs, increases employee satisfaction, and ensures high-quality services/products for customers.
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Magnet Culture, formerly Crescendo Strategies, has been helping organizations in the healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and other industries and companies like UPS, Humana, Vistage, Cintas, Berkshire Hathaway, the American Health Care Association, and the National Precast Concrete Association, stop high turnover in its tracks through dynamic keynotes and breakout sessions, engaging workshops, and online learning programs.
Whether you’re struggling to inspire your members or team, stop high-volume turnover or keep high-level talent, our generational approach, retention specialization, and actionable, results-oriented tactics will help your managers become retention champions and create a workplace where people WANT to stay.

Cara Silletto MBA, CSP
President & Chief Retention Officer
As a workforce thought leader, my job is to change leaders’ perspectives to ensure they are successful as workforce trends and demographics change. Serving as the voice of the new workforce, I offer insight into the mindset of today’s evolving workforce.




- Spoken for 30,000+ leaders across the country.
- Conducts 50-100 workshops and keynotes annually.
- A workforce thought leader published and quoted in USA Today, Forbes, Huffington Post and dozens of other business publications.
- 15+ years of experience being a Millennial in the workforce before becoming a speaker.
- Equipped with an MBA to quantify the impact on the bottom line.
- Named one of Louisville Business First’s 2018 Forty Under 40.
- Workforce Magazine in Chicago named Cara a “Game Changer” for her innovative approach to solving generational issues in the workplace
- Named in Recruiter.com “Top 10 Company Culture Experts to Watch,” list.
- Author of Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave and How to Keep Them Longer.
- Earned her Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association in 2020.


Magnet Culture is Certified By the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council!
WBENC’s national standard of certification implemented by the Name of RPO is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.
Published In
How Spending More Upfront Leads to Less Turnover Later (2020)
By now, everyone knows that turnover is costly. On average it costs $5k to replace every lost hospitality employe! One way or another, companies are paying: either in retention investment or turnover losses. Learn the best use of your dollars in Cara’s latest article.
Forget everything you think you know about millennial employees (2019)
What do millennials really want? Are you making mistakes that could cause you to lose valuable talent?
Listen to the podcast with Cara Silletto (2019)
Creating workforce harmony requires understanding that each generation (Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers) has its own expectations and goals.
What is a stay interview? It is about the company’s performance and the manager’s performance. Read more from Cara Silletto on this type of interview that is growing in popularity.
Business services provide support for the robust local workforce. Find out more about these businesses that thrive in Greater Louisville.
HR Evolution with Cara Silletto (2019)
When it comes to Human Resources, a lot can change in five years. The industry has been reshaped to build empathy, tolerance, understanding and being able to see both sides of any spectrum of diversity that would exist.
WorkMinus Turnover with Cara Silletto (2019)
How is it that employee loyalty completely flipped in one generation? Listen to this podcast interview with Cara to learn the answer!
Reducing Millennial Turnover with Cara Silletto (2019)
A brand’s worst nightmare is losing its team – its core components! Without people on board to help run the ship, it’s going to sink. Take a look at Cara’s 10 tips to start putting into practice to shut down that revolving door system for good.
Who’s the Real Flight Risk? Why Employees Leave (And Stay) (2019)
Even if they’re unhappy, employees sometimes stick around. But why? Cara details some reasons that staff members stay at an organization.
6 Key Management Strategies Your Hotel Manager Must Know (2019)
Cara details the top six key management strategies that hotel managers need to know to better lead their employees.
What Should Be in a Staff Training Budget? (2019)
As companies determine what goes into their staff training budgets, it can be hard to sort through all the different options. Cara dives into all the different things that are now essential to reducing unnecessary staff turnover.
Who’s the Real Flight Risk? Why Employees Leave (and Stay) (2018)
Are you ready for the transition from a long-term workforce to shorter-term workers? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s IOM blog has a guest post from Cara that will help employers prepare for the transition that’s already hitting industries across the country.
Nurse Employee Retention Podcast with Cara Silletto (2018)
The nursing industry is in the midst of a turnover crisis. There’s a well-known shortage of nursing staff AND an average of 1 out of every 4 nurses will leave the profession within the first few years of practice. Thankfully there is hope! Cara and Nurse Keith talk about what can be done in this episode of the Mastering Nursing Podcast.
2018 Forty Under 40 Award Recipients
Cara Silletto is named on Louisville Business First’s Forty Under 40 list for 2018! It is a program honoring the region’s up-and-coming young leaders, under the age of 40. It is comprised of accomplished businesspeople who are standouts in career achievements and community accomplishments.
Understand the New Employer-Employee Relationship to Boost Retention (2018)
The one-size-fits-all model for staffing and managing no longer works for the modern workforce – so what does? See Cara’s article at HealthcareSource for insights.
A Lesson from an Angry Dentist (2018)
Do you ever feel ignored because the person you’re trying to engage is staring at their cell phone? In this article, Leah shares the fascinating story of how a dentist chose to creatively deal the issue but later had a change of heart.
The Annica Thomas Show: Leah Brown Interview Part 1 The Annica Thomas Show: Leah Brown Interview Part 2 (2018)
In this 2-part interview, Annica Thomas talks with Leah Brown about Millennials in the workplace and her and Cara’s new book, Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave & How to Keep Them Longer.
6 Keys to Retaining Talent (2018)
In today’s business environment, an increase in shorter-term workers is imminent. It’s time to lead, plan, and operate differently.
A New Management Mindset: 6 Keys for Greater Staffing Stability (2018)
The goal used to be to keep staff at least 2+ years, but nowadays workers are becoming increasingly shorter-term. In this article, Cara gives 6 tips to overcome the challenges of a revolving-door workforce and gain greater staffing stability.
Successfully Managing Today’s Shorter-Term Hotel Workforce (2018)
“An imminent danger is threatening many companies and their future profitability: short-term workers.” Learn how to deal with this growing trend in Cara’s article here.
Talent Development Professionals Can Improve Retention and Your Bottom Line (2018)
Cara is the guest on this episode of BLR’s award-winning podcast, HR Works: The Podcast for Human Resources. Listen in as she talks through how today’s HR professionals are sitting in a unique sweet spot for impacting the bottom line of their organizations.
6 Keys for Greater Staffing Stability (2018)
What does it take to be a sustainable organization moving forward? It takes a new way of leading, planning and operating. It is time for a new management mindset.
Tips for Hiring Millennials (2017)
Do you get frustrated with younger new hires who have an inability to figure out problems on their own or can’t finish a project without a template? Why are Millennials so different than other generations?
What is Employer Branding? (2017)
Has your organization kept up with the evolving expectations of today’s new workforce and made the necessary changes to attract and retain talent? If your employer brand is considered behind the times, watch for talent to go elsewhere.
Discover Strategies for Retaining Talent (2017)
5 Tips for business owners, managers, and recruiters to succeed in an employee market. The organizations who are winning the talent battle are those focusing more than ever on their human assets.
Why Perks are So Important Today (2017)
Employees have the upper hand now, so culture is everything! Building a strong culture where people want to work is key to employee retention.
How to Create a Place Where People WANT to Work (2017)
Leah Brown is featured in the KAHCF magazine, CareLink, with an article about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment plan for employee turnover.
How to Foster a Positive Company Culture (2017)
We are in an employee market where applicants and candidates have the upper hand. See how companies can manage their employer brand.
6 Keys for Greater Staffing Stability (2017)
What does it take to be a sustainable organization moving forward? It takes a new way of leading, planning and operating.
Don’t believe everything you hear! Discover what experts, including Cara Silletto, say are the top 10 myths about recruiting and hiring.
Click here to read the article (2017)
Read “Reducing Unnecessary Employee Turnover” – an overview of Cara’s session at the state conference.
Check out the article here (2017)
Cara was interviewed about how flexible summer schedules can improve conditions for overworked employees.
Cara explains the Millennial Mindset and how to bridge generational gaps in your workplace.
Read Cara’s article on the changing landscape of talent recruitment and retention costs.
Cara weighs in on the impact for organizations that prioritize fun and engage employees socially.
Use these expert tips on hiring millennials the next time you’re looking to add to your team.
Click below to find out from Cara why Millennial men won’t work 60 hour work weeks.
Read the Lane Report interview with Cara outlining how Crescendo Strategies got started and what’s next.
View the article on Forbes (2016)
Read the Forbes article in which Cara discusses why Millennials are so openly sharing their salary information, and what that means for today’s business managers.
Read about the 10 Items you need in your onboarding agenda from Cara Silletto and other experts.
Cara Silletto made Recruiter.com’s list of the Top 10 Company Culture Experts!
Check out her coverage in the event video and article about retaining Millennials (2016)
Cara spoke about Millennials at the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA).
Download 2015 Biz First – Talent Retention
Read Cara’s article about strategies for retaining talent when employees have the upper hand.
Listen to the interview or read the summary article (2015)
Chris Dyer interview Cara about Millennials on PeopleG2’s radio show, TalentTalk.
Download 2015 KYSHRM Millennial Mindset
Read Cara’s HR article about understanding and managing the Millennial mindset.
Download the 2014 Game Changer Criteria
Cara was named a 2014 “Game Changer” by Workforce Magazine in Chicago, IL.
Click here to visit the blog post (2014)
Read Cara’s quote in Jeff Stein’s Huff Post blog on “What Old People Can Learn from Millennials.” Scroll through the photo slideshow at the bottom of the page to hear more!
Download the 2013 BG Magazine Article
Learn how Cara found her Millennial niche and read about her path to build Crescendo Strategies.
Download the 2013 Today’s Woman Article
See Cara’s feature article on the “new school” approach to learning.
Our Dynamic Speakers & Trainers

Cara
President & Chief Retention Officer
Cara Silletto, MBA, CSP
President & Chief Retention Officer
- She’s spoken for 30,000+ leaders across the country!
- She’s conducted hundreds of keynotes and workshops.
- She’s a workforce thought leader published and quoted in USA Today, Forbes, Huffington Post and dozens of other business publications. (See full list here.)
- She has 15+ years’ experience being a Millennial in the workforce.
- She’s equipped with an MBA to quantify the impact on the bottom line.
- She’s a former conference planner who knows how to make events dynamic.
- She knows multiple industries and what keeps leaders up at night.
- She’s been named one of Louisville Business First’s 2018 Forty Under 40.
- She authored the 2018 book, Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave and How to Keep Them Longer.
- And her memorable streak of purple hair encourages executives to think differently about today’s new workforce.
- She achieved the CSP designation from NSA in 2020.
Check out her PDF speaker flyer here!
What Clients Say About Cara
Over the past few years, Cara Silletto has been a frequent presenter at our company and she has helped us to develop an entirely new paradigm for how we approach employee engagement and retention through an intentional awareness of the Millennial Mindset. She makes a compelling case for why business leaders must embrace the Millennial Mindset and evolve in order to attract and retain a talented workforce. She also explains the inherent risks associated with refusing to accept this new way of thinking. The approach is both strategic and practical, giving business leaders a clear understanding of why change is so important, what those changes need to be and a practical method for how to take immediate action.
Max Langenkamp, Vice President of Human Resources, Cintas Corporation

Leah
Senior Retention Strategist
Leah
Senior Retention Strategist
- She is a GenXer uniquely positioned to bridge gaps between Boomers & Millennials.
- She is a Dale Carnegie and Dare to Lead-certified trainer with 25 years’ experience as an engaging and dynamic speaker.
- Leah is Magnet Culture’s lead DISC trainer and behavioral assessment consultant.
- Louisville Business First included her in their “20 People to Know in Education & Workforce Development.”
- Her content is regularly featured in business publications for various industries.
- She’s the contributing author of Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave & How to Keep Them Longer
- And she is a professional member of SHRM and the National Speakers Association (NSA).
Check out her PDF speaker flyer here!
What Clients Say About Leah
I cannot rave enough about this session. In our office, we have Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials. It was GREAT to hear about our different mindsets in the workplace, why they are the way they are, and how we can bridge that gap in communication. I think that every single person can benefit from this session.
Tourism Professional, Kentucky Travel Industry Association
Leah and her program were such high quality – well worth being out of my department for 4 hours! This should be the standard for future programming.
Hospital Manager, Baptist Health Floyd Hospital
If you like Cara Silletto, you’ll love her speaking partner Leah Brown! We’ve had the pleasure of booking both, and they were lively, entertaining, and most importantly, informative. They each did a fantastic job and we had overwhelmingly positive feedback for both sessions.
Cliff Reid, WorkOne

Courtney
Retention Strategist
Courtney
Retention Strategist
- With over 15 years of experience in corporate Learning & Development / Human Resources, Courtney Ramsey knows about helping others succeed! As a speaker, author, and consultant, she’s known for creating and facilitating leadership programs that empower and motivate.
- Courtney helps businesses of all sizes create training programs that are customized to their business and expertise. She recently authored her first book: Share Your Genius: 35 Tips to Create Training That Transforms.
- Over the years, Courtney has trained over 20 thousand associates in the areas of leadership, business management, conflict resolution, effective communication, and operations, helping companies like JCPenney, Sephora inside JCPenney, and Zale Corporation save millions of dollars.
- She received her MBA and BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University. She holds her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development with the Association for Talent Development.
- As a wife and mom of a second grader, her idea of a good time is a glass of wine and watching true crime on the couch in her PJs! (Dateline is her favorite!)

Megan
Retention Strategist
Megan
Retention Strategist
- Megan is an expert in developing and implementing training programs that create an unparalleled organizational culture
- She helps clients with process improvement and workflow enhancements with continuous staff communication, feedback, and recognition.
- Megan knows how to get creative, ask the right questions, and dig deep to solve organization retention issues.
- She received her Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Master’s in Healthcare Human Resources

Shelonda
Senior Retention Strategist
Shelonda
Senior Retention Strategist
- Shelonda helps organizational leaders identify what’s happening with the current employment landscape and she shifts manager mindsets so they can better lead and retain today’s new workforce.
- She has used her expertise in a variety of corporate teams: Training and Development, Employee Engagement, HR Communications, and Corporate Communications.
- As the youngest GenXer, she sits in the sweet spot for bridging the generational gaps because she can speak to both the expectations of traditional managers and the evolved expectations of today’s new workforce.
Check out her PDF speaker flyer here!
What Clients Say about Shelonda
Shelonda’s presence, passion and investment in people are undeniable and greatly appreciated. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious and welcoming to anyone stepping into one of our events.
Sr. Training Specialist
I have been with this company for 11 years and have had countless hours of training. Your training was the best training I have ever been in.
Team Member
Her delivery could start a revolution.
Director HR

Kristie
Retention Strategist
Kristie
Retention Strategist
- Kristie has over a decade of experience in coaching and training
- As the younger of six children, she is an expert on bridging generational gaps.
- Kristie has a penchant for efficiency and effectiveness while maintaining positive engagement.
- Her warm and dynamic stage presence captivates her keynote audiences.
- Kristie’s workshop facilitation helps uncover and action plan to solve business problems.
Check out her PDF speaker flyer here!
What Client Say About Her
Highly recommend Kristie! She delivers her message with intelligence, class, and wit. Warm & Engaging.
Kristie has always been very focused and driven to achieve success. She has unparalleled skills in verbal communication and a depth of perception that has allowed her to stay ahead of the game.
She is creative and her experience in the industry allows her to provide a comprehensive perspective to her clients. You will not find anyone better qualified!

“Our staff found Cara entertaining, practical, and insightful. She interacted with our group to challenge and prepare them for working in diverse settings. She listened to us, and crafted a plan to meet our goals. She was a home run with our group, and she will do the same with yours.”
Dr. David Boyd, Director, University of Indianapolis
“Cara is a must-have speaker! Her session directly pinpoints the employment issues our association leaders and their member businesses are wrestling with today.
And she’s not like other generational speakers. Every association would benefit from her timely and relevant message!”
Jenny Matthews, ED, TSAE
Our Incredible Staff

Emily
Logistics Manager
Emily
Logistics Coordinator
Clients come first in our world! I’m here to ensure our clients’ needs and deadlines are met, and that our speaking team exceeds their expectations. I’m your go-to resource for questions and logistics for live programs and online courses!

Jessica
Workforce Strategist
Jessica
Workforce Strategist
What next steps can I help your team take to improve staffing stability? Whether it is a management workshop, virtual coaching, or employee assessments, I work with Magnet Culture clients to implement retention strategies and get people excited to reduce unnecessary turnover!
Contact me at [email protected] to schedule a call!

Maggie
Workforce Strategist
Maggie
Workforce Strategist
Need an event speaker or a full-service partner to help reduce employee turnover? Let me help determine what combination of keynotes, on-site workshops, virtual training, management videos, books and other tangible tools are the best fit for your needs. Contact me to check the availability of our speaking team and learn about all our resources!
Contact me at [email protected] to schedule a call!

Abby
Talent Consultant
Abby
Talent Consultant
Are your managers and supervisors as effective as they should be? It’s time to invest in the development of your leaders to ensure poor management isn’t costing you thousands of dollars in unnecessary employee turnover. Let me work with your current and future leaders so they reach their full potential.

Brandy
Chief Operations Officer
Brandy
Chief Operations Officer
At Magnet Culture, we live up to our name – our company is building intensity! As we gain momentum, my job is to keep everyone on the same page, so I ensure our team stays in sync and meets the growing demand of our clients across the country.

Brittany
Marketing Coordinator
Brittany
Marketing Coordinator
We are constantly working to provide you with the best and most up-to-date retention tools, content, and strategies. I work behind the scenes to tell our story!