BADASS Solutions for Better Business & World
Offended by the term BADASS? That's okay. We're not for everyone. We are bold truth-tellers, bringing out the uncomfortable topics when other remain politely silent, or reframe situations in a rosier-then-reality light. No rose-colored glasses with us. And we need more badasses today than ever! Check out our LinkedIn post, with an article in Psychology Today, in which Dr. Jim Taylor answers the question, "What does it take to be a badass today?"
PAST
SHERPA Institute was originally founded in Durango as a Colorado Benefit Company, and has since evolved into a 501c3 non-profit. Founder Andrea Hoffmeier also co-authored “A Six Sigma Approach to Sustainability - Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility”, which has proven seminal in the authentic sustainability movement. This book (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, 2016) introduced CISR (Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility) framework and resulting SOFAIR method. The methodology allows multidisciplinary teams from any company and industry, to governments, NGO’s and non-profits, to work on authentic social responsibility, developing and implementing innovative solutions that lead to A WORLD WE ALL WANT.
We're returning to our BADASS roots, proven and ready: we're engaging companies and organizations as guides; Sherpas - on their own journey toward BADASS breakthroughs. To us, BADASS simply means having the courage to tell the truth and take bold action, even when it's uncomfortable; values like honesty, grit, and accountability; not swagger. We know we're not a fit for everyone, and that's okay; we're built for the bold ones with the fortitude to move now. But we're BADASS with a successful, proven method: CISR/SOFAIR. Through initial projects, teams gain hands-on mastery of this methodology - not just theory. Real results emerge as the organization's own multidisciplinary teams generate bold, tailored innovative solutions for their organization’s specific challenges. This plants roots, so internal teams grow, lead, and carry their own projects forward. The summit they are climbing is theirs; not ours.
FUTURE
We envision a BADASS future: a world where organizations everywhere have their own Sherpas woven into their teams; leading initiatives, making discoveries, and solving problems through bold innovation. These are people driven by courage, honesty, humility, and integrity. They are unafraid to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done. This is what BADASS breakthroughs look like at scale; guided by our proven CISR/SOFAIR method, but always driven by the organization's own people on their own journey. As more teams embrace this path, culture change ripples outward; reshaping how we work, how we treat each other, and how we show up as human beings. We aren't for everyone, but for those with the fortitude to lead this shift, the impact multiplies far beyond any one organization. This is how we contribute significantly to creating A WORLD WE ALL WANT.
SHERPA Institute is a GLOBAL Nonprofit, but we also turn our attention toward Local Community Initiatives!
We are SPR - SHERPA Pollinator Rescue, by SHERPA Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Started in 2022, Decatur, AL; expanding in TN Valley Region 2025. 2026 expansion north for Appalachian Monarch Butterfly Migratory Population. 2027 USA/GLOBALLY Expansion.
” The CISR/SOFAIR project I worked on with my nonprofit was a great addition to my continual improvement skills. It gave me a way to incorporate more stakeholders into my projects and it enhanced my skills around innovation and behavior change. I also met other like-minded people that I’ve stayed friends with for over 10 years now. But it’s also a great methodology to learn, even if you’re new to process improvement and just want to find ways to make your local community, nonprofit or business more effective and sustainable.”
” It is an honor to be part of the SHERPA Institute team, working with some of the best and brightest people who care deeply about humanity and the planet. From earning my CISR certification, facilitating workshops, and contributing to the book series, I am grateful to have deepened my ability to integrate mind, heart, and action in service of people, organizations, and the SDGs, and more sustainable world, we are collectively working toward. ”
” II first got introduced to SHERPA Institute in 2015. Since that time, I have received two certifications and, more importantly, learned a lot. The most valuable skill was taking these harebrained ideas and being able to communicate them effectively through proven tools that I did not know existed. They have made a huge impact on not only the outcomes of projects I have led but also helped me to advance in my career.”
