Our Mission
We provide equitable and innovative solutions that evaluate current policies and systems, challenge pre-existing structures, and establish a more inclusive and human-centered culture.
Our Services
- Leadership Development and Coaching
- Strategic Facilitation and Organizational Planning
- Human Dignity, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training
- Community Engagement Processes (Internal and External)
- Board & Committee Development
Our Vision
A culture where the brilliance of our humanity is valued and celebrated.
We’re A Consulting Firm That Is
Restoring Human Dignity.
Restoring Hope.
Restoring Truth.
Restoring Stewardship.
Restoring Integrity.
Restoring Excellence.
About Us
- TryXcellence is leading the way in the restoration of human dignity and its crucial role in the development of a healthy and balanced society. We are called upon by corporations, government agencies, businesses and nonprofits to provide equitable innovative solutions that evaluate and establish new support systems and approaches which remove historic barriers to privilege and power.
- Our goal is to help organizations organically create a more productive and human-centered culture. Our work is to create professional environments and communities where human brilliance is valued and celebrated. Our results are greater productivity, collaborative functionality, higher morale and a better work climate/setting/situation/surrounding. Our guiding principles are truth, hope, stewardship, order and excellence.
Meet Our Team
Ericka Warren, MBA
Partner
Ericka Warren, MBA is a Partner and facilitator for Try Excellence. She is known nationally as a musician, educator and coach. A passionate community leader and advocate for positive change, Ericka brings extensive insight into the process of creating inclusive communities, facilitating tough discussions and community engagement strategy. With over 20 years experience in operations, finance, human resource and organizational development, Ericka possesses tremendous understanding of people dynamics. She serves as strategic advisor for equity and community engagement to University of Oregon, Oregon Department of Transportation I5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project and other local and regional private entities. She was also named one of the 2021 Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon Women of Vision.
Education:
University of Oregon 1992 B.A Asian Studies; 2019 M.B.A.
Fun Facts:
Ericka is an accomplished singer, music producer and award winning songwriter. She is a proud double Duck and University of Oregon Cheerleading Alumnus. She is a foodie, travel enthusiast and admitted high heel shoe-a-holic. Ericka is the mother of a brilliant teen daughter.
Joshua Holt,
Facilitator
Josh Holt is facilitator for Try Excellence. He is a 4th generation Portlander and son of Try Excellence visionary, Dr Steven Holt. Josh spent the majority of his professional career with Apple serving in various roles in four different markets. He proved his capacity and ability to lead among his peers, facilitate peer on peer development, product rollout, and new concept introduction. Joshua is key to pursuing Try Excellence’s goal of authentic relationships focused on establishing people connections.
Behind the Scenes:
Josh is an avid basketball fan and gamer. He is the proud father of two beautiful children.
Jess Bielman,
Communications Lead
Jess Bielman is the Communications Lead for Try Excellence. He consults with organizations and leaders on community engagement, culture and whiteness, innovation initiatives, and writing/content creation. He is a teacher on the meditation app Insight Timer and has co-authored two books Workshop of the Holy Spirit: An Invitation to Theological Education and A Hermeneutic of Liberation: Reading Scripture from the Margins.
Education:
Wesley Seminary, Doctor of Ministry, Spirituality and Story 2011 (Thesis Project: Contextualizing theological education to the Northwest);
Western Seminary, M.A., Exegetical Theology 2003
Warner Pacific College, B.A., Human Development 2000
Fun Facts:
Jess is a husband and father of two teenage daughters. Tries to eat as much sushi as he can and loves the Portland Trailblazers.
Our Values
TryXcellence brings sustainable solutions to systemic issues that are meant to withstand every test, obstacle, and bias.
Human Dignity | Hope | Truth | Stewardship | Integrity | Excellence
What Our Partners Are Saying…
“BRIDGE retained the services of Try Excellence for a very robust community engagement program for a sensitive site in NE Portland known as hollywoodHUB. Dr. Holt and Ericka were both instrumental in helping BRIDGE Housing engage with historically marginalized communities. The result was community consensus on a project linking transit and housing equity together for an exemplary Equitable Transit Oriented Development in a neighborhood historically inaccessible to many People of Color. Elected officials have endorsed the project and public funding has been provided to help make this vision a reality, thanks to Try Excellence!”
“Dr. Holt and Try Excellence have been a valuable partner both personally and a great asset professionally. I have worked with Dr. Holt and Try Excellence for the past five years. Dr Holt is a mentor, teacher, professional leader, advocate and confidant. He is someone you can trust and know that grace, compassion, courage and excellence fill his life and his work.”
“I have worked with Dr. Holt and Try Excellence for several years now. Dr. Holt is a masterful communicator and excellent at facilitation in a way that produces the desired outcomes. The Try Excellence team with Ericka and Josh have been instrumental in helping facilitate and mediate on the largest construction project in Oregon history helping to keep it on track and moving forward. If you need strategic planning, marketing, community engagement and help with developing your leadership team, Try Excellence is an excellent choice.”
“We have engaged the services of Dr. Holt and Try Excellence for professional facilitation of public meetings. Dr. Holt has a unique ability to navigate challenging discussions while ensuring that all voices at the table are heard. He sets the tone for all conversations with a goal to making sure that diverse views are honored, and ensuring civility. Try Excellence is an organization I recommend to public agencies and work groups when they need a top-notch facilitator.”
Connect With Our Team
Call Us
360.513.5604
Our Address
4485 NE Rodney Ave #A,
Portland, OR 97211