Dr. Rod Berger Named Storyteller in Residence at CultureCon

Award-Winning Strategic Storytelling Expert to Illuminate the Impact of Culture Leaders on Organizations Nationwide, in partnership with CultureCon

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

CultureCon has announced the appointment of Dr. Rod Berger as its inaugural Storyteller in Residence. In this role, Dr. Berger will serve as a regular contributor to stories across multimedia platforms, highlighting the impact culture leaders have on organizations nationwide. Dr. Berger is a recognized authority on the power of narrative in leadership and organizational culture, having served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades.

Why it matters

Dr. Berger's expertise in strategic storytelling and his ability to connect with diverse audiences will help CultureCon further its mission of inspiring positive change in organizational culture. By elevating the stories of culture leaders, CultureCon aims to provide practical tools and motivation for its customers to become cultural change agents within their organizations.

The details

As Storyteller in Residence, Dr. Berger will leverage his extensive experience conducting over 4,000 interviews worldwide for publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer. His subjects have ranged from NBA legends to United Nations officials and cultural icons. Dr. Berger is also the author of the book 'The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment', which has been praised for its insights on the power of storytelling in business and life.

  • Dr. Berger's appointment as Storyteller in Residence at CultureCon was announced on February 3, 2026.

The players

Dr. Rod Berger

A recognized authority on the power of narrative in leadership and organizational culture, who served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades.

Zach Blumenfeld

Co-founder of CultureCon, a Certified B Corporation on a mission to inspire positive change in organizational culture.

Nick Lombardino

Co-founder of CultureCon, a Certified B Corporation on a mission to inspire positive change in organizational culture.

Karl Liapunov

Head of Energy & Climate at Startup Lab in Oslo, Norway, who praised Dr. Berger's ability to translate stories into relatable, genuine, and heartfelt emotion.

Ryan Heil

President of Washington Speakers Bureau, who called Dr. Berger's book 'The Narrative Edge' a work that 'elegantly reveals storytelling as the ultimate competitive advantage in business and life.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm honored that Zach Blumenfeld, Nick Lombardino, and the CultureCon family have included me as a scribe for the work they are undertaking to celebrate the power of culture in workplaces nationwide.”

— Dr. Rod Berger (CultureCon)

“Dr. Berger's gift has always been his ability to transcend the written or spoken word and translate it into relatable, genuine, heartfelt emotion.”

— Karl Liapunov, Head of Energy & Climate at Startup Lab in Oslo, Norway (CultureCon)

“Zach and I were among the early reviewers of Rod's new book, and we quickly recognized a shared passion for the people, cultures, and stories that define all of us beyond labels and titles – a perfect fit!”

— Nick Lombardino, Co-founder of CultureCon (CultureCon)

“The Narrative Edge is a profound journey into the heart of what makes us human—our stories. In times of uncertainty, it offers a roadmap to ignite hope and narrate your story of potential to achieve the impossible.”

— Prof. Henrik von Scheel, Named the Most Influential Futurist of our century and Originator of Industry 4.0 (CultureCon)

“CultureCon has grown to levels we are proud to steward, and teaming with Rod represents another step in our expansion to support the stories and storytellers authoring a better tomorrow through today's collective cultural efforts.”

— Zach Blumenfeld, Co-founder of CultureCon (CultureCon)

What’s next

Dr. Berger's appointment as Storyteller in Residence at CultureCon will begin immediately, and he will begin contributing stories and insights across the organization's multimedia platforms.

The takeaway

Dr. Rod Berger's appointment as Storyteller in Residence at CultureCon underscores the power of strategic storytelling in shaping organizational culture and inspiring positive change. By elevating the stories of culture leaders, CultureCon aims to provide practical tools and motivation for its customers to become cultural change agents within their own organizations.