Spirence and William James College Announce Partnership to Advance Leadership-Driven Preventative Mental Health in the Workplace

Spirence, the pioneering preventative mental health platform, today announced a strategic partnership with William James College to advance leadership-driven preventative mental health in the workplace.

Grounded in the belief that whole-person leaders shape workplace culture, the partnership focuses on developing resilient, emotionally intelligent leaders with strong communication skills who foster healthier, more sustainable workplace environments. By integrating William James College’s nationally recognized Organizational and Leadership Psychology doctoral and master’s programs with Spirence’s prevention-first approach, the collaboration aims to cultivate environments that support well-being, performance, and long-term growth for both employees and organizations.

With employee burnout at an all-time high, impacting nearly 60% of the global workforce, according to Gallup, in addition to continued workforce disengagement, organizations are facing unprecedented leadership and cultural challenges.

Today, only 23% of employees worldwide report being actively engaged at work, while five generations now work side-by-side for the first time in history.

Spirence and William James College recognize that the future of work depends on leaders who are equipped to lead whole human beings, not just job titles.

The partnership initially began in 2024 when Spirence became a field placement site for William James College Leadership Psychology students. Following strong outcomes for Spirence and participating field placement candidates, the alignment demonstrated clear potential to deliver nationwide value by bridging academic rigor with real-world application, to support healthier leaders and workplaces.

“Preventative mental health in the workplace starts with leadership,” said Mike Holloway, Co-Founder & President of Spirence. “When leaders understand human behavior, emotional intelligence, and resilience, they can create workplaces that don’t just perform but sustain. William James College’s Leadership Psychology program aligns seamlessly with Spirence’s mission to equip organizations with tools that support mental well-being before crisis or turnover occur.”

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Spirence to promote healthier organizations and foster human-centered, responsive leadership. Through this collaboration, we can have a positive impact on employee well-being which ultimately contributes to organizational success,” said Suzanne Devlin, PhD, Chair of the Organizational and Leadership Psychology Department at William James College. “No matter the sector, leadership begins within. When leaders pause to observe and reflect on their own behaviors and attitudes, they are better able to relate to others, adjust, and move the organization and its members forward together.”

William James College’s Organizational and Leadership Psychology programs are designed for working professionals seeking to deepen their impact as leaders and positive change agents. The way leaders show up directly influences team performance, organizational culture, and individual well-being. Through a hybrid and online learning model, students gain the skills, confidence, and psychological insight needed to grow personally, advance professionally, and lead meaningful change within their organizations.

By integrating leadership and organizational psychology training with preventative mental health education and real-world organizational experience, Spirence and William James College are helping prepare the next generation of leaders to meet today’s workforce challenges with confidence, resilience, and effectiveness.
For more information on this partnership and how Spirence supports leadership development and workplace well-being, visit www.spirencewellness.com.

About Spirence

Spirence is a preventative mental health platform for the 75% of today’s workforce who are underserved by traditional mental health models. These individuals don’t identify as sick but still need tools to stay well, manage stress, build resilience, and prevent burnout. Spirence integrates seamlessly with existing benefits, including EAP’s, driving increased utilization across the full continuum of care. Spirence is a subsidiary of GMH Ventures, the private equity arm of GMH Associates, a family office based in Newtown Square, PA. GMH Ventures has leveraged over 14 years of experience owning and operating Futures Recovery Healthcare to launch Spirence. Futures Recovery Healthcare is a full-continuum behavioral healthcare company focused on treating primary mental health and substance use disorders. GMH Associates is also the parent company of GMH Communities, a privately held national real estate firm. Since 1985, GMH has completed over 300 transactions, representing more than $9.5 billion in gross asset value across all major property types.

About William James College

William James College is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders, psychologists, and mental health professionals through rigorous academic programs grounded in psychology and real-world impact. Its Leadership and Organizational Psychology doctoral and master’s programs prepare professionals to lead with insight, integrity, and purpose across industries. To learn more about organizational and leadership psychology programs, visit www.williamjames.edu/olp.