About Us
DREAM WITH US FOR A MOMENT
At Motives Met we imagined a better working world, one with true wellbeing to create a better collective work life and workplaces for all.
A work world where we could show up as human beings with vulnerability and authenticity rather than trying to be unemotional robots who don’t feel things at our jobs. One where we would have clarity on what we really need to create a work life we want to wake up to everyday. There would be a tangible way to determine what was working in our jobs, teams and work cultures and what was not, so we could create needed change. We would feel empowered to take an active purposeful approach to our work wellbeing instead of a passive or reactive one.
In this world, we have a tangible way to evaluate and assess our wellbeing and the wellbeing of others so it could be amplified and protected. The relationship between the company and individual would truly be a win-win for both and not just one-sided, giving employees the much desired reason to be loyal and companies the ability to employ the best of the best and reach their strategic objectives. Leaders and managers could tap into people’s unique motivation with individualized consideration in a way that, well, actually works. Companies would have authentic wellbeing cultures where work wellness wasn’t just talked about, but practiced, and mental and emotional health a true priority.
We would have greater insight into why we and others do what they do to bring out the best in ourselves and others at work. The diversity of our needs could be celebrated, and a mindful mindset cultivated that changed our perspective on how we show up at work to everyone’s benefit. There would be a shared framework and vocabulary to talk about our stressors, concerns and what we need to thrive, in a way everyone easily understood and respected. We would see one another as human first and be able to create more genuine connections below the surface to make our sometimes-difficult work relationships easier.
We created Motives Met to help make that work world a reality.

THE ATTAINABLE DREAM OF A WORK LIFE WELL-LIVED
Our co-founding team at Motives Met believe in the attainable dream of a work life well-lived and the necessity of a better work world and thus began our journey to get to the bottom of how to create true wellbeing in our work lives and workplaces. We built Motives Met, with the help of others who believe in our mission, using our 20+ years of insights in human behavior research and extensive background in data, psychology and mindfulness to understand why we get wellbeing at work wrong so we could get it right.

Meet the Co-Founding Team

Kelly Mackin
CEO
Kelly’s Motives:
Autonomy, Flexibility, Achievement, Future Success, Security
As a quantitative researcher, coach and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practitioner, Kelly has built a career around her enthusiasm for understanding why we do what we do and how to reach our potential. She conducts research to gain insights into pivotal areas in our lives, such as our emotional states, relationships, stressors and behavioral drivers, using her findings to develop frameworks and models to better understand the world and ourselves to make positive change.
She is a certified mind management coach, and forever student of learning about our human brains and the science of how we think. As a meditation teacher and mindfulness expert she uses the ancient wisdom, now backed by science, in a practical way to improve life in and outside of work, in our modern world.
Kelly wanted to use her expertise to challenge how we think about work so we could elevate it. She created Motives Met with the intention to bring more mindfulness into how we work, change our mindset about the norms in our workplaces and empower people to have a work life with greater well-being.
When asked about her proudest moments, Kelly would tell you it was standing at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp. Hailing from sunny San Diego, CA, you can often find her spending time outside or in the boxing ring.


Mary Mackin
Vice President
Mary’s Motives:
Community, Self-Esteem, Manager Support, Fairness, Security
Whether for blue-chip brands, academic institutions, or non-profit organizations, Mary has been researching, quantifying and uncovering meaningful human insights her entire career.
She has pioneered various R&D initiatives and created innovative proprietary research tools for measuring emotion and motivation, quantifying belief and core human values, and identifying the “passion points” that drive the human heart. Mary is always looking to gain a deeper understanding of the “why” and delights in using data to tell impactful stories that matter.
She was SVP of Research Services at Leo Burnett, the 4th largest creative advertising network, before co-founding McQueen Mackin & Associates, a non-profit research consultancy.
For Mary Motives Met was an opportunity to help create a dynamic where the company and employee relationship is a mutualistic one; that will result in greater success for all. She wanted to create the tool that she wished she had as a leader throughout her career.
A midwestern soul at heart, Mary resides in the Bay Area with her family. When she’s not busy trying to change our working world for the better, she’s most likely spending quality time with her kids (and beating them in Parcheesi for the second time of the day)!


Josh McQueen
Head of research & INNOVATION
Josh’s Motives:
Innovation, Calmness, Personal Strengths, Variety, Community
A lover of data and algorithms, Josh is a natural problem solver and innovator, using his expertise and well-rounded skill set to create positive impact.
Data scientist, philanthropist, thought leader and champion of creativity are just a few ways to describe Josh. “Author” was added to the list when he published his first book: Building Brand Trust: Discovering the Insights Behind Great Brands.
His professional interests include a portfolio of blue-chip clients, aiding in organizations reaching their goals, and creating frameworks so people can better understand themselves and their surroundings. Eager to use his expertise to help mission-based groups thrive, he co-founded McQueen Mackin & Associates to support a wide range of cause-related organizations.
He served as the EVP of Research and Innovation Worldwide for Leo Burnett, the 4th largest creative advertising network. While there, he led various research, technology and database activities. He also had a front row seat when great employees decided to leave and the reason behind those departures. There was a clear missing link between companies and the needs of their employees.
From where Josh sat, he could see that communication about the important things to people in their work life was missing. He wanted to build Motives Met so that these conversations could happen and leaders and managers were empowered to keep their best people.
Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Josh can often be found spending time with his family or playing 18 on his local golf course.