Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kalyn Romaine

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kalyn Romaine. Check out our conversation below.

Kalyn, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building entrepreneurs and leaders who are bold, authentic, and fiercely loyal to their dreams. Nobody sees me because I choose to stay in the background of their stories, but I beam with pride at what the world sees them create.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and former corporate executive who has been successfully leading business transformation for over 15 years at unicorn startups, Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits, and the nation’s largest city governments. My expertise has transformed organizations such as Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, the City of New York, and Zapier, among others. This global work has taken me to places like Chicago, Los Angeles, Brazil, Turkiyë, and South Africa.

I’m the founder of the Forward Collective Group, where I support startups as a fractional COO, including business growth strategy, HR and operations management, and founder/CEO development. This work is meaningful to me because I channel my intellect, intuition, and experience into clients’ growth. My brand is unique because I serve the total person/system not just minor issues. I get to boost the company and its people simultaneously.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My grandmother. She spoke greatness over my life (literally) at birth and continued believing in me until her passing. I consider her my mom; words can’t express how grateful I am to have been raised by her.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
I recently changed my mind about offering more small business advising services. Initially I wanted to pivot back to focusing on large corporates and government agencies, but I realized I find so much joy in supporting solopreneurs and micro-businesses. The impact is immediate and lasting, which makes me feel even more motivated.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I differentiate by recognizing buzz and staying away from it. I have a strong sense of self and am rarely moved by what I see others doing; in fact, I lose interest if I see something too often. I’m not a naturally competitive person so fighting against others for business or recognition repels me. I prefer to follow my own vision. No matter how obscure or popular, if I believe in a shift – to a new geographic market, a new service or product, or even new branding – I’m doing it. This philosophy hasn’t failed me yet.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When have you had to bet the company?
When I transitioned from being Dream Forward Consulting to Forward Collective Group in 2024, it was pretty scary. I’d built the brand from scratch while working a full-time job and attending graduate school, so there was a lot of pride in it for me. I began to realize that the former name would limit the larger vision I had for the company. To honor that legacy, I kept one word: forward. The new name represents expanded offerings that not only grow my clients’ business capacity but also their communities through events, education, and global reach. The shift has been positively received and such a smart business move.

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Image Credits
RaQuita Weathers, Belle Rouge Company

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