Our Mission
We’re trying to improve the shape of things.
Shapes are so entrenched in our lives, we sometimes don’t question them. Circl.es (.es = España) was born in Barcelona, where Gaudi’s Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia shocks you with spirals, curves, colors, images of nature, intertwined and dynamic. Gaudi dared to push the bounds of what shape a cathedral was supposed to be. It got us thinking, can we shift the shape of our classrooms, training rooms, and even video meetings? Can we learn in circles instead of rows.
When humans are arranged in a circle, they connect. Add facilitated dialogue, and they feel included, heard and begin to open up. They start giving and receiving help. Adding in a few “sparks” of outside concepts to help them look at the world differently, but won’t overwhelm the conversation with presentation. They get creative. Repeat this every few weeks and they rise to impress peers by achieving their goals. When a Circle “jells,” as we call it, participants use words like magical and transformative.
We came together as a company, from Barcelona, Brooklyn, Saratoga Springs, Lake Oswego, Auckland and more, to help other companies and communities create Circles, so they could connect deeply, help each other grow, and take action. Circles aren’t a novel idea. We’ve studied and worked with hundreds of practitioners of all kinds of Circles, and our goal is to amplify their efforts, and spur on a movement. We’re continually improving our system, platform and services, as we learn from our partners, participants, and from each other.
Our Team
Bart de Vocht 🇳🇱
he/him
Operations Lead
Singer of La Bamba
Bernard Duggan 🇦🇺
he/him
Software Developer
I’ve worked on three published computer games you’ve never heard of.
Clara Santangelo 🇦🇷
She/her
Program manager and Data Insights
Used to practice scottish dancing at primary school. Can play the Castanets
James Hessell-Bowman 🇳🇿
he/him
Software Developer
Can both walk and chew gum at the same time
Katherine Lake 🇺🇸
She/her
Program Manager
Big fan of carrot cake and film photography
Luchi Garcia Garona 🇦🇷
she/her
Program Manager
Facu’s mom, frustrated Mari kondo follower, and hidden K-drama fan!
Matt Fox-Wilson 🇬🇧
he/him
User Experience Designer
I’m a qualified instructor in the Japanese sword art of Iaido.
Mercedes Anahi Spataro 🇦🇷
She/her
Product & QA Manager
Cestoball player and addicted to mint icecream flavor
Mira Guise 🇳🇿
She/her
Software Developer
I have, on occasion, caused a bifurcation in phase space
Samantha Holland 🇺🇸
She/her
Marketing & Communication Consultant
Part time poet & pretend influencer
Tayyib Esau 🇿🇦
he/him
Software Developer
Enthusiastic Brazilian Jiu jitsu white belt
Work with us
Interested in joining a fast-growing start-up with an ambitious and inspiring mission, looking for a way to unlock new ways of learning and growing together? Check out our open positions!
Our Guides
We are continually training and certifying guides to facilitate for us, customers and partners.
Here are a few representatives of this wonderful and growing group.
Our Advisors
We are so grateful to our friends, investors and advisors who have helped us learn and grow. Even though this is a long list, it is far from complete.