Meet Mitchell Karp, co-founder of VallotKarp, a firm dedicated to transforming workplace culture and advancing inclusion. With a career that began in human rights litigation, Mitchell shifted his focus to organizational development to address workplace challenges more proactively. For the last 25 years, he has helped companies—from global corporations to cultural institutions—create equitable, high-performing environments where every voice matters.
Humans of Fuzia is proud to share Mitchell’s story with our 5-million-strong global community. His work aligns with our mission of empowering individuals across all genders to foster inclusive leadership and thoughtful change—because we believe in He for She and She for She.
Mitchell, tell us a bit about your journey and how VallotKarp came to be.
I started out as a human rights litigator, but after ten years, I realized that litigation wasn’t the best way to solve workplace issues. So I went back to school, earned a degree in organizational development, and transitioned into consulting. About 25 years ago, I met my business partner, Angela Vallot—also a former attorney and the first Chief Diversity Officer at Texaco and later Colgate-Palmolive. Together, we founded VallotKarp to help build workplaces where people feel a sense of belonging, are innovative, and can truly thrive.
What kind of clients and sectors do you work with?
Our clients range widely—from global corporations to private equity firms, law firms, museums, TV studios, and nonprofits. Essentially, we work with anyone trying to create better workplaces. Our audience includes talent leaders, DEI professionals, HR heads, and even legal teams. We support them in building respectful work cultures, preventing harassment, offering real-time feedback, and improving team and leadership dynamics.
How do you help organizations improve their workplace culture?
We approach it from many angles—leadership development, understanding unconscious bias, improving team function, and reshaping feedback systems. We look at who’s being mentored, how hiring is done, and how inclusion is practiced at every level. A good culture is intentional. You have to notice and measure what matters, because what you don’t notice ends up influencing you without your awareness.
What message would you like to share with new entrepreneurs and leaders?
Focus on how to make good better. Increase your self-awareness and ask meaningful questions. Instead of waiting for people to come to you, reach out. Ask: What’s keeping you up at night? What does success look like for you? Relationship-building and deep listening are what drive real progress in any organization.
What trends or areas of focus are you seeing emerge in the workplace right now?
Five key areas stand out:
- Setting people up for success—Creating cultures where it’s safe to ask questions or make mistakes.
- Real-time feedback—Moving beyond annual reviews to continuous support.
- Managing change—Helping people navigate uncertainty with clarity.
- High-performing teams—Understanding what distinguishes them and how to replicate that.
- Modern leadership—Redefining what effective leadership looks like in today’s fast-evolving world.
“The things we notice are the things we can influence—the things we ignore end up shaping us instead. So let’s pay attention, listen better, and lead with intention.”
Connect with Mitchell Karp:
🌐 Website: vallotkarp.com
📌 LinkedIn: Mitchell Karp
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
