Christine Whitney Sanchez, Chief Culture Officer for Enterprise Technology at Arizona State University, has announced her retirement from the university after more than five years of service. Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter in which she fundamentally reshaped the institution's organizational culture through values-led initiatives and participatory leadership.
Sanchez joined ASU with a vision to transform organizational culture from within, employing an inclusive approach that engaged all members of the community. Her work established foundational elements including Positive Core Values and Leadership Principles that have made the organization more resilient, adaptable, and human-centered. According to Lev Gonick, Chief Information Officer at ASU, Sanchez's influence has been "foundational and of enormous importance" with contributions that will have lasting impact as the university continues its commitment to transformative culture.
Through specific initiatives like the Culture Weavers Community of Practice, Culture Ripples, and the T4 Leadership Academy, Sanchez created structured spaces for connection, reflection, and professional growth. Her leadership style, characterized by compassion and kindness according to colleagues, fostered deeper belonging and empowered individuals to contribute their best work. Gonick noted that her efforts in promoting ethical behavior, continuous learning, and responsible innovation have been particularly impactful as the organization navigates evolving digital landscapes.
Following her retirement, Sanchez plans to continue her work in organizational culture and transformative leadership through speaking engagements and consulting. She intends to share her expertise with leaders to help their organizations foster trust, collaboration, and transformative leadership, with particular focus on empowering women to achieve their professional goals. She is currently working on a book titled "Wake Up Your Organization: How Enlightened Organizations Prosper, Nurture Wellbeing and Heal the World" and will speak on topics including The Hidden Edge of Feminine Energy within Billion Dollar Industries, AI meets Ancient Wisdom, and Building Enlightened Organizations.
Sanchez brings extensive experience to her next chapter, having previously worked as a psychotherapist and mindfulness practitioner while advising some of the world's most recognizable brands. She has guided tens of thousands of stakeholders through complex challenges and trained thousands of consultants globally in strength-based approaches for community self-organization. Additional information about her work is available at https://christinewhitneysanchez.com.
Her departure from ASU represents a significant transition for the university's culture initiatives, but her legacy is expected to continue influencing both the institution and leaders worldwide. The cultural framework she established at ASU serves as a model for values-driven organizational development in higher education and beyond, demonstrating how intentional culture building can create more adaptive and human-centered institutions.
