Big Onion Partnerships
Our collaboration will enhance employee engagement and retention, and help your people and your business flourish.
Big Onion Partnerships partners with leaders to create working environments where people feel valued, connected, and equipped to do their best work.
Together we will elevate people management practices, build processes for continuous listening, and design retreats that foster connection and teach critical human skills.
Let’s create a world where work works better for humanity.
Companies that care about staff wellbeing are more than twice as likely to meet financial targets.
-Bersin, MIT Sloan, Aug 2022
About Mary Cipollone, Founder and Principal
Mary is dedicated to making work work better for humanity. She values authenticity, community, and fun, and those values fuel the work of Big Onion Partnerships. (Fun fact: Cipollone translates to “big onion” in Italian.) Mary has worked alongside inspiring communities in Harlem, Nicaragua, and Ecuador, and proudly was CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber’s 2021 Small Nonprofit of the Year. Mary holds a B.A. in Biology from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Michigan.
As an experienced CEO, Mary understands the joys and challenges of leading people and companies. With 20 years of experience working alongside communities of color, and people living in low-income households, Mary infuses everything she does with her commitment to expanding equitable opportunities. She is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to cultivate the layers of resilience essential for sustainability. In addition to working alongside invigorating leaders, Mary carves out time for frolicking outdoors, dancing to live music, and meaningfully connecting with her friends and family.
Check out this interview about Mary’s entrepreneurial journey on Go Solo.
The Big Onion Approach
Together we will peel back the layers to reach the core of what matters. Trust that our work will be:
Grounded in research and science - We believe in using data to drive quality outcomes.
Connected to real life experiences - We will dive into the complex dynamics of people leading and nurturing belonging.
Collaborative and tailored to your unique situation - Our partnership will explore and respond to what you and your organization need today.
Sustainable - We will cultivate layers of resilience so you can thrive through challenges.
Rooted in mindfulness - Techniques from meditation will help your team engage with our work and be present with one another.
“Mary is one of those rare people who is able to make everyone around her want to be better. Our office is a better place because of our partnership with Big Onion.”
-Denver small business owner