Background
Founded in 2024, Bend River Consulting provides tailored training services for businesses and professionals—specializing in financial literacy, B2B account management, and capability building.
Our mission is simple: to help learners refine existing skills, master new ones, and build the confidence to thrive in competitive markets. We believe capability is a catalyst—and when people grow, businesses grow.
Led by Chris Van Vleet, Bend River partners with leading training organizations, including Wealthvox and DriveTrain Learning, to deliver:
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Expert-led workshops
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Contemporary, sector-specific content
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Bespoke formats for teams and individuals
Chris is an accredited facilitator and senior advisor, with affiliations to the Strategic Account Management Association and the Life Science Trainers & Educators Network.
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Strategic Learning & Capability Building
About Chris
My career path has been anything but linear—shaped by military service, formative experiences in community colleges, and a search for an academic path that truly fit. I began in cardiac rehabilitation, working directly with patients and care teams, and later transitioned into the life sciences. There, I gained hands-on experience in both research and commercial roles across clinical trials, healthcare IT, and pharmaceutical startups.
As my responsibilities grew, so did my passion for people leadership and organizational development. I discovered that what drives me most is helping individuals and teams grow—especially in areas they once thought were out of reach.
Warren Berger, author of A More Beautiful Question, writes:
“In a time when so much of what we know is subject to revision or obsolescence, the comfortable expert must continually go back to being a restless learner.”
That mindset fuels my work. I’m here to walk alongside professionals who set bold development goals and pursue them with persistence. To help others build confidence, capability, and clarity—that’s my why as a trainer, facilitator, and developer of people.