BOOK RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT
I’m thrilled to share that my new book, People First, Purpose Always: A Practical Guide for Building Healthy and Thriving Teams, will be officially released on November 19, 2025!
This book has been a true labor of love, shaped by more than 25 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, primarily within the gender-based violence movement.
Throughout my advocacy journey across local, state, and national organizations, I’ve successfully led diverse teams and remained grounded in one belief: when we lead with purpose and center humanity, we create environments where individuals can truly thrive, not merely survive.
In People First, Purpose Always, I invite readers to move beyond performance metrics as the measure of success and instead cultivate workplace cultures that reflect shared purpose, belonging, trust, collective care, and accountability.
At its heart, this practical guide is anchored in a simple truth: creating inclusive and welcoming workplaces is not a solo effort, it’s a collective process. That process begins with each of us—with the courage to practice self-awareness, the willingness to reflect on how we lead, the humility to learn and grow, and the commitment to nurture relationships grounded in trust, respect, and care.
Drawing from decades of leadership experience, formal training, recommended readings, observations, and lessons from the field, this resource offers a flexible framework rooted in equity, inclusion, wellness, and care. It's intentionally designed to support leaders and teams create people-centered strategies that strengthen both their culture and organizational impact.
This isn’t just another leadership or team-building manual, it’s an invitation to reimagine what’s possible when we lead with heart and put people first.
Pre-orders are now open! Get your copy at a special pre-order rate until November 19, 2025.
For organizations, teams, or groups, reach out to info@toorelinstitute.org for special bundle rates and signed copies.
After November 19, People First, Purpose Always will also be available via Amazon and other major book retailers.
Thank you for celebrating this major milestone with me! I’m looking forward to sharing this resource with leaders, teams, and organizations across the U.S. and beyond!
- Arlene Vassell, Founding Director, TooREL Institute for Social Change
