The Mattering Institute

Building Cultures Where People Thrive

We work with organizations across sectors to create cultures that value people for who they are and what they do.

Grounded in decades of peer-reviewed psychological research, our approach translates science into practical, evidence-based strategies that supports wellbeing and strengthens engagement, retention, and performance.

Why Mattering Matters

Mattering at work: Mattering isn’t a luxury—it’s a key driver of performance. When employees feel their organization genuinely cares about their well-being, they are 4× more engaged, 53% less likely to be job hunting, and 73% less likely to feel burned out

Mattering on campus: More than one-third of college students report moderate to severe anxiety or depression, and more than 50% report feelings of loneliness and isolation. Addressing student mental health requires more than fostering a sense of belonging. It requires designing campuses where students are visibly valued and meaningfully needed. Mattering is at the core of student engagement and well-being.

  • Led by award-winning author and journalist Jennifer Wallace, we are a small, dedicated team working alongside a network of trusted collaborators and partners.

  • Our approach is highly individualized. We tailor our work to best address your organization’s specific needs. 

    Among our offerings:

    • Research-informed frameworks and tools

    • Mattering audits and assessments

    • Training and learning experiences for leaders and practitioners

    • Scalable practices to embed mattering at every stage of the employee experience

  • We bring mattering to organizations across sectors, including:

    • Companies and C-Suite leaders 

    • Universities and higher education institutions 

    • Nonprofits & foundations

    • Health care systems

    • First responders & law enforcement agencies

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