At the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, we aim to foster collaborative problem solving, respectful dialogue, and a diversity of opinion to drive positive change and create lasting impact. We call this guiding principle the Rockefeller Ethic.
Our team brings this mission to life by embracing five Core Values in their daily work:
- Believe the Mission
- See the Possibilities
- Focus on We, Not Me
- Do the Right Thing
- Have Fun!
Each quarter, employees nominate their coworkers for Core Value Awards. From those recipients, senior leadership selects one individual each year for the Legacy Award, recognizing the employee who most fully embodied the Rockefeller Ethic and the Institute’s Core Values throughout the fiscal year.
This year, that honor goes to Facilitation Services Director Payton Christenberry, who has been at the Institute for more than a decade.
Turning Vision Into Reality
The Legacy Award celebrates employees who leave a lasting mark on the Institute through their commitment to the mission, their colleagues, and the communities they serve. During the award presentation, Institute leadership reflected on how the award has evolved. While it remains rooted in the values of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, it also recognizes the unique legacy each employee creates through their work and service.
For Payton, that legacy has been built through years of helping people work together to solve problems, navigate challenges, and achieve meaningful results.
More than a decade ago, Institute leaders began exploring how to strengthen the organization’s ability to facilitate productive conversations and collaborative problem solving. As those efforts took shape, Payton became a key partner in envisioning what facilitation could look like at the Institute and how that work could support both internal teams and external partners.
A Champion for Facilitation
Payton has grown into what leadership described as an “incredibly skilled, thoughtful facilitator.” His work often begins long before a meeting starts. When a team comes to the Institute seeking guidance, Payton focuses on understanding their goals, the people involved, and the outcomes they hope to achieve.
Through planning and thoughtful meeting design, he creates opportunities for people to participate, contribute, and feel heard. Leadership noted that participants may not always see the behind-the-scenes preparation, but they experience its impact when conversations become more productive and collaborative.
Payton has also played a significant role in advancing the Institute’s facilitation services department, helping demonstrate how that work aligns with Gov. Rockefeller’s vision of bringing people together to create positive change.
Investing in Others
A defining part of Payton’s legacy is his commitment to sharing what he has learned. Leadership highlighted not only his expertise but also his willingness to help others develop their own skills and confidence in facilitation. What began as an ambitious idea years ago has become a regular part of the Institute’s work, and Peyton continues to help others carry that work forward.
His dedication extends beyond facilitation. Leadership praised his commitment to the Institute, his colleagues, and the organization’s ongoing success.
Looking Ahead
Accepting the award, Payton thanked the committee and reflected on the journey that led to this recognition.
“I do all of those things because it’s fun to me,” he said. “It’s exciting to be part of this organization, and it’s exciting to be part of the history and own a little part of what we do and how we do it.”
He also reflected on the early conversations about what facilitation at the Institute could become and celebrated how many of those ideas have become reality.
“It’s exciting to look back at that and then look ahead at where we’re going.”
Congratulations to Payton Christenberry on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for the legacy you continue to build at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute!
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