Dan Whalen Takes Majority Stake in Great Place to Work®

SAN FRANCISCO — September 24, 2015—Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc., the global authority on high-trust, high-performance cultures, today announced a strategic partnership with Daniel Whalen. Dan Whalen purchased the super majority stake in Great Place to Work and is now Chair of the Board.

As part of the transaction, Dan injected additional growth capital to fund initiatives in the US and internationally. He also secured a long-term employment commitment from Michael Bush, the current CEO. Working together with the firm's employees and Affiliates in 44 countries, Michael and Dan will help other companies create trusting, highly productive, and highly profitable workplaces in the world's largest companies as well as the smallest neighborhood coffee shop.

Robert Levering, the company's co-founder and former majority owner said, "Before moving on from the company I cofounded 23 years ago, I wanted to find a new owner who could carry on our mission and take the firm to new heights. I see Dan as that person. Not only does he firmly believe in our mission, but he has created great workplaces in his previous organizations. He also has the business acumen and experiences to help Great Place to Work® reach thousands of more companies throughout the world."

Robert Levering is the co-author of the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" list as well as numerous books. He will continue to consult with Great Place to Work and advise on the Fortune "100 Best" list and article.

"I am very excited about working with CEO Michael Bush, all the employees of Great Place to Work, and the Affiliates around the globe. I see a long and bright future ahead of us helping companies transform their organizations into great workplaces." said Dan Whalen.

About Dan Whalen

Dan Whalen is a business and social entrepreneur. He founded or co-founded several successful businesses serving telecommunication firms in the US and abroad. He also founded or helped transform a number of non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the US and overseas. Dan was born in North Dakota and grew up in Minnesota. Dan received an undergraduate degree from Saint John's University in Minnesota. He later earned an MBA and AM from Stanford University. He and his wife, Katharine Whalen, are the parents of Matthew, Anna, and Michael Whalen.

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and employer branding programs, including Best Companies lists and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work® provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In the United States, Great Place to Work® produces the annual Fortune, "100 Best Companies to Work For" list and the Great Place to Work® Best Small & Medium Workplaces list. Follow Great Place to Work® online at www.greatplacetowork.com and on Twitter at @GPTW_US. For information about global operations at Great Place to Work®, visit www.greatplacetowork.net