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

Daire Halligan

Daire Halligan 🇮🇪

he/him

Customer Experience

Analogue photography, history, and coffee enthusiast

Dan Hoffman 🇺🇸

he/him

Founder & CEO

Knows 4 chords on the guitar

estefanie profile

Estefanie Govea 🇲🇽

she/her

Customer Experience

Once accidentally sat on top of a Pima Pineapple Cactus

Franko Franicevich 🇭🇷

he/him

CTO

Loves to travel

James Hessell-Bowman

James Hessell-Bowman 🇳🇿

he/him

Software Developer

Can both walk and chew gum at the same time

Jami York 🇺🇸

she/her

Partnership Manager

a US Pacific Northwest girl who loves the outdoors, deep conversation and dark chocolate

Maria Jimena Domínguez 🇦🇷

she/her

Program Manager

loves sports, teaching and baking!

Jonathan Hefter 🇺🇸

he/him

Program Lead

I once shot rifles with Hunter Thompson.

Kamand salari 🇮🇷

She/her

Marketing Specialist

Traveled over 40 countries

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!

Maria Tenberge 🇩🇪

she/her

Customer Success

Lived in 6 countries on 3 continents and finally decided to grow roots in a small community in Barcelona.

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.

Alex Hart

Software Development Leader, CTO at CultureIQ

Bill Wiggenhorn

Legendary Chief Learning Officer, Learning Consultant

Bob Halperin

Alumni peer groups expert, executive education leader

Carl Marci

Brain Science MD, Entrepreneur, Shrink, Philosopher

Charles Fadel

Exec, Author, Policy Influencer, Curriculum Designer

David Joerg

Technology Leader, Architect, Entrepreneur, Data Aficionado

Di-Ann Eisnor

Neogeography Pioneer & Serial Entrepreneur

Doug Lynch

Learning Innovator, Entrepreneur, Academic, Uber Connector

Giuseppe Auricchio

Reinventing learning at Europe’s top B-school

Heather Tenuto

Chief Learning Officer, Business Development Executive

Jake Schwartz

Learning Pioneer, Entrepreneur, CEO, Social Engineer

Jeff Snipes

Learning Pioneer, Entrepreneur, School Founder, Coach

Jill Johnson

Business Strategist, Nonprofit Earned Revenue Development

Jim-Trounson

Jim Trounson

Healthcare innovator and leader, community builder

Joanna Rees

Mentor, Investor, Facilitator, Mayoral Candidate, Marketer

Jonathan Katzman

Product Designer, Higher Ed Pioneer, Entrepreneur

Josh Targoff

Investor, Lawyer, Activist, Operations Chief, Philanthropist

Josh Waitzkin

Learning Innovator, Chess Champion, Martial Artist

Kaley Klemp

Small-group Dynamics & Leadership Development Expert

Lisa S. Meyers

Global Media Executive & Peer Groupee

Marci Weisler

Emerging Tech Leader, Strategy + Execution, Problem Solver

Mike Bergelson

Experienced entrepreneur, CEO, Education Technology Pioneer

Mo Fathelbab

Expert Peer Group Facilitator, Entrepreneur, Author

Peter Meyers

Author, Consultant, Journalist, Content Format Futurist

Philipp Schmidt

Peer group and learning innovation, MIT Media Lab

Rob Autor

Accomplished leader in technology, operations, strategy

Sarah E. Endline

CEO, entrepreneur, EIR, board member and speaker

Sean Duffy

Patient Care Peer Groups Innovator

Sebastián Barajas

Consultant, Learning Designer, Coding Bootcamp Founder

Shirzad Chamine

Bestselling Author, Stanford Professor, YPO Forum Architect

Verne Harnish

EO Founder, Entrepreneur, Bestseller, Scaling Expert

Ready to create authentic, human connection with Circles?