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)
Digital Courses & Interactive Tools
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: Transforming workplace well-being across professions and communities
Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, widely known as Dr. Kortni, is a former news director and television reporter who has transformed nearly 20 years in journalism into a calling to advance workplace well-being across professions and communities. Today, she is a happiness scholar, transformational trainer, and certified Mental Health First Aid instructor dedicated to helping individuals and organizations cultivate resilience, embrace compassionate leadership, and flourish.
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. While its roots are firmly planted in journalism, KALM's mission extends far beyond the newsroom, equipping people across industries with evidence-based tools to strengthen mental well-being, foster healthier workplace cultures, and support one another.
Under Dr. Kortni's leadership, KALM has provided Mental Health First Aid training to more than 800 individuals representing diverse professions and communities, including journalists, nurses, therapists, counselors, social workers, educators, faith-based leaders, nonprofit executives, attorneys, veterans, and professionals in construction and other industries. Participants have also represented advocacy organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and The Trevor Project.
At the heart of Dr. Kortni's work is a powerful belief: Workplace well-being and compassionate leadership are not luxuries. They are essential to helping people, organizations, and communities thrive. Drawing on her background in journalism, Positive Psychology, and organizational leadership, she brings a unique perspective to creating environments where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to flourish.
As KALM continues to expand its training programs, educational resources, and digital offerings, its mission remains grounded in four pillars: promoting workplace well-being, cultivating resilience through Positive Psychology, leading with empathy, and expanding access to Mental Health First Aid certification.
What began with a passion for transforming newsroom cultures has grown into a broader movement to make mental well-being a priority in every workplace and community.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to flourish.