Welcome to the Kalm Institute.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains professionals to
foster wor
Trusted by the Industry: Our Founder Has Trained For...
Our programs include:
Workshops & Trainings
Mental Health First Aid Certification (MHFA)
Consulting & Organizational Support
People are at the heart of every thriving organization and community. We’re here to help them flourish.
Our Founder's Story
From journalist to happiness scholar: Helping people and communities flourish.
Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, widely known as Dr. Kortni, is a former news director, television reporter, happiness scholar, TEDx speaker, transformational trainer, and certified Mental Health First Aid instructor. With nearly 20 years of journalism experience, a Ph.D. from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, and an MBA earned with honors, graduating in the top 10% of her business school class, she brings a unique blend of media, business leadership, and Positive Psychology expertise to advancing workplace well-being.
She is the Founder and President of the KALM Institute for Workplace Wellbeing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. KALM stands for Kortni Alston Lemon Media and is pronounced "calm," with a K. Through education, training, and the power of media, KALM equips individuals and organizations with evidence-based strategies to strengthen resilience, embrace compassionate leadership, and cultivate healthier workplace cultures.
KALM's media platforms include Kourting Happiness, a podcast exploring Positive Psychology, leadership, and workplace well-being for diverse audiences, and the award-winning The Compassionate Newsroom, dedicated to fostering healthier cultures within journalism.
Under her leadership, KALM has trained more than 800 Mental Health First Aiders across diverse communities, including journalism, film, healthcare, higher education, nonprofit organizations, faith-based communities, mental health advocacy groups, and other industries.
Dr. Kortni believes that workplace well-being and compassionate leadership are essential to helping people and organizations thrive. By combining the science of happiness with the power of media, business leadership, and mental health education, she is advancing a movement that places people at the heart of organizational success.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to flourish.