Mike Cardus

About

Operations and org design leader with experience at Vital Farms (rapidly growing B Corp) helping leadership evolve from a flat structure to a scalable business-unit model. Known for culture-aligned operating systems (Galbraith Star model, Levels of Work, decision-rights mapping) that materially improve speed—e.g., 40% faster decision cycles and 25% faster product launch cycles while cutting meeting load by ~1/3.

Experience

Education

Key Strengths

• Scaled a rapidly growing company from flat structure to business-unit model
• Introduced org design frameworks (Star model, Levels of Work, role charters, decision-rights mapping) to clarify accountability
• Reduced decision cycle time by 40% through decision-rights clarity and operating model changes
• Diagnoses operational inefficiencies via observation of decision flow and information movement plus NOISE analysis
• Improved product launch speed by resolving unclear decision rights; cycle time down 25% in 2 months
• Reduced meeting load by nearly one-third via decision-matrix approach instead of adding process layers
• Co-designs scalable solutions with teams using small pilots and measurable outcomes
• Effectively mentors founders/executives using simple visuals (decision maps, team heatmaps) and lightweight experiments

Reference Highlights

• methodical thinker
• well-read with strong academic mindset
• hands-on practitioner (not just theoretical)
• provides measurable business impact
• helped turn around a struggling company; business thriving afterward
• extensive experience mentoring senior leaders (about 20 years)
• genuinely curious and inquisitive
• blends practical experience with theory
• understands real-life business challenges
• genuinely nice person
• cares deeply about the success of people and organizations
• successful track record advising corporate operations for startups