We built the community we needed.
We wanted a place where we could talk about work, home and faith in the same conversation, with men who would make us better. So we started RISE.
Now men show up every week to become better leaders at home and at work, and to sharpen each other along the way.
Our values
These shape how we coach, how we show up for each other and what we build.
Rooted in faith
We build our lives on Jesus. Our faith gives us the strength to weather storms, live with purpose and lead with humility.
Live authentically
We're honest about where we are. We share our stories, listen well and stand beside each other in life's real moments.
Aim for impact
When we grow, our families flourish, our teams excel and our communities thrive. We invest in what will outlast us.
Cory Carlson
Cory spent 20 years in corporate America, working his way up to the executive level. Along the way he saw how often success at work came with burnout, strained marriages and absent dads.
Coaching changed how he led at work and at home, so he left to help other leaders do the same. He's coached more than 300 executives one-on-one, has spoken to thousands and coaches every week in the RISE community. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and three kids.
BooksWin at Home FirstRise and Go
PodcastWin at Home First
“7 Books Everyone On Your Team Should Read”
#1 New Release in 3 categories for Win at Home First
Top 1.5% global podcast for Win at Home First
Our team
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Cory Carlson
Co-founder & Lead Coach
Cory works with all kinds of leaders, from entrepreneurs and small business CEOs to executives at Fortune 50 companies. Through one-on-one and team coaching, he brings accountability and an outside perspective that helps them lead better at work and at home.
He also speaks at keynotes and workshops and runs challenges throughout the year to help people take real action. If you're wrestling with something at work or at home, he'd love to hear from you.
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Jay Hopper
Co-founder
Jay has a background in journalism and marketing and has spent more than 20 years in software, most recently as President and COO of CADENAS. A builder at heart, he works where leadership, strategy, marketing, content development, product and design intersect.
He co-founded RISE with Cory to build the kind of community he wanted for himself. Jay lives in Cincinnati with his wife of 32 years, and they have three children. If he can help you, reach out.
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Brian Baber
RISE Coach
Brian has spent more than 20 years as an entrepreneur, building luxury homes as an AR Homes® franchise owner. Before that he worked at Ford Motor Company and in investment banking. Today he also teaches entrepreneurship at FSU Panama City.
He doesn't just teach the 5 Capitals. He lives them. Brian and his wife have four kids and live in Panama City, Florida, where he's a community leader with All Pro Dad and Rotary.
He's also the founder of Coffee with the King, a morning routine of quiet time with God. In his words, it's “a story of starting my day with the Creator of the Universe.”
He's done the hard work of aligning his life, and he's here to help you do the same.
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Ryan Berg
RISE Coach
Ryan is co-founder of the Aruna Project, an athleisure brand that gives survivors of human trafficking a path to lasting freedom. Aruna employs women rescued from brothels in India as artisans, and backs that work with counseling, fair wages, healthcare and housing.
Through Aruna Runs across the US, thousands of people run for one woman by name to fund her freedom.
Ryan lives in Cincinnati with his wife April and their three kids. They love sports, staying active and heading downtown together.
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Andi Atillo
Marketing Coordinator
Andi loves meaningful work, good people and a life with a little adventure in it. When she's not supporting RISE, you'll find her with Marc and their pets, lost in a book, playing pickleball or planning the next adventure.
She runs on faith, thoughtful conversations and probably more coffee than necessary.
Daily Gratitude Journal
A simple daily practice to end your day grounded and grateful. Made as a gift for our RISE members, their families and friends.