History
History of CMW
Center for Meaningful Work, LLC (CMW) was originally envisioned by well known psychotherapist and career guidance counselor Richard Garzarelli. His vision for the Center for Meaningful Work, LLC and the Work With Meaning brand emerged from a simple but powerful idea that individuals and organizations can approach work and business in a more intentional, conscious, and meaningful way. More than 25 years ago, Richard incorporated the Center for Meaningful Work and established the Work With Meaning brand, creating a foundation for this mission and its continued evolution.
Ryan Pickens joined the CMW team as a co founder in 2000 and later returned in 2013 after spending a decade teaching as a business professor and two years serving as a Strategy and Organizational Development Specialist for the State of North Carolina. These experiences deepened Ryan’s commitment to helping individuals and organizations align purpose, strategy, and meaningful work.
Today, Richard has chosen to primarily focus on the continued evolution of the Quietude Retreat Center and the Healing Hearts Community Labs, both of which are dedicated to fostering reflection, healing, learning, and human connection through retreats, workshops, and community centered experiences. At the same time, Richard continues to provide coaching, facilitation, and consulting services through CMW.
Currently, CMW is led by Ryan, who also provides coaching, facilitation, and consulting services. Alongside his work with clients, Ryan is publishing and promoting his book and companion workbook, AS IS: Universal Truths to Transform Your Life Work, while also developing online content, workshops, and educational curriculum designed to support growth, awareness, and intentional action.
As the organization continues to evolve, Ryan and Richard are actively creating a strategic plan for the future growth of CMW while simultaneously recruiting trusted coaches and professional collaborators who align with the mission, values, and deeper purpose of the Work With Meaning brand. The long term vision is to thoughtfully expand the organization while maintaining its depth, authenticity, intentionality, and commitment to meaningful transformation.
Whether you work directly with Ryan, Richard, or with a future member of the CMW team, you can expect the same dedication to thoughtful guidance, personal growth, conscious decision making, and meaningful change.
Past Clients
Over the years, we have worked with hundreds of individuals through one on one coaching, served family businesses in advisory and facilitation roles, and partnered with organizations in a variety of organizational development, retreat, and training capacities. The following represents a sample of organizations and companies we have had the opportunity to support.