Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Trusted Arc Labs anyway?

Answer: Trusted Arc Labs is a boutique advisory and creative strategy firm that helps leaders and institutions rebuild trust, lead with integrity, and align their values with their impact. Through customized consulting, executive coaching, public writing, and thought leadership, we address trust not as a buzzword but as a foundational discipline.
 

 

Q: Who is Richard Roman?
 

Answer:  Richard Roman is the founder of Trusted Arc Labs and the host of Trust Be Told, a weekly podcast exploring the role of trust in leadership, institutions, and public life. He is a seasoned public policy strategist, leadership advisor, and researcher specializing in institutional trust, legitimacy, and narrative strategy. Richard holds advanced degrees in higher education and public policy, and he is currently completing his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, where his dissertation focuses on fluctuations in public trust in American public research universities. He has served in senior leadership roles across the higher education and nonprofit sectors, including as a national policy director, institutional strategist, and executive coach to presidents, provosts, and governing boards. 

 

His background includes:

• Over 15 years working in and around public institutions,

• National leadership in student success, governance, and civic engagement policy,

• First-hand experience advising universities, policy institutes, and foundations navigating public credibility, DEI, and leadership transitions

 

Richard’s work is shaped by both rigorous research and lived experience as a first-generation leader from rural Virginia. He blends academic precision with emotional depth, offering clients a rare kind of clarity and calm as they navigate complex decisions and identity-driven leadership challenges.
 

 

Q: What inspired Richard to start Trusted Arc Labs?

Answer:  The business was born from a personal and professional reckoning: growing up queer and first-generation in the American South, Richard was shaped by systems that demanded performance for belonging. As a leader, he saw how institutions often talk about trust without truly earning it. Trusted Arc Labs was created to shift that dynamic, building spaces where trust is cultivated rather than assumed.
 

 

Q: What kinds of clients do you serve?

Answer:  Our work spans multiple sectors, and that list continues to grow!

 

We enjoy working with:

• Public and nonprofit leaders responsible for governance and public trust,

• Boards, foundations, and think tanks navigating institutional credibility or stakeholder tension,

• Presidents, provosts, deans, and senior executives in higher education,

• First-gen, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC leaders seeking alignment between their inner lives and outer leadership.
   

 

Q: What services does Trusted Arc Labs provide?

Answer: Our agency is rapidly expanding.

 

Our services include:

• Executive advisory and institutional consulting,

• Private leadership coaching and narrative alignment,

• Speaking engagements, retreats, and workshops,

• Original content via our podcast (Trust Be Told) and Substack,

• Frameworks and future offerings, such as on-demand learning, in-person courses, and licensing.
   

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Q: What services does Trusted Arc Labs provide?

We are always seeking new partners and opportunities for collaboration across various sectors. Our work is especially valuable to institutions facing trust crises, leadership transitions, or misalignment among stakeholders.
 

We specialize in: 

• Misson-Driven Organizations

• Public Policy & Government

• Non-profit & Philanthropy

• Higher Education
  
   

Q: How is Trusted Arc Labs different from other consultants or coaches?

Answer:  We operate at the intersection of personal and institutional trust. Unlike transactional consultants, we don’t deliver quick fixes. If only building trust were that easy! Instead, what we offer is clarity, safety, and high-touch strategic support that centers on emotional intelligence, systemic analysis, and long-term trust-building.
 

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Q: What is your theory of change?

Answer:  At Trusted Arc Labs, trust is not a soft value; it’s the engine of transformation. Our theory of change is built on the belief that systems only change when the people leading them feel safe enough to lead differently. That safety, clarity, and courage come from trust— first internally, then institutionally.

 

We view trust as both a competency and a condition: 

• A competency that leaders must practice through presence, transparency, accountability, and alignment.

• A condition that organizations must cultivate through relationships, governance, and communication that honor complexity and human dignity.

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Rather than trying to fix symptoms (burnout, disengagement, crisis), we go upstream to rebuild the trust infrastructure:

• How leaders understand themselves,

• How decisions are made,

• And how institutions show up in public life.
   

Trust, in this model, is both the strategy and the outcome. When trust is present, people collaborate more honestly, lead with greater courage, and build systems that actually work.

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Q: What is Trust Be Told?

Answer:  Trust Be Told is our flagship podcast, where Richard interviews leaders across education, policy, philanthropy, and public life about how they build and sustain trust. Each episode blends real-world stories with research-informed insight and offers a backstage look into how leadership actually works. If you would like to inquire about being featured on a future episode, you can contact us here. 
 

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Q: How do clients usually find Trusted Arc Labs?

Answer:  Most clients come through trusted referrals, long-standing professional networks, and audience members who engage with Trust Be Told, our LinkedIn content, or our Substack essays. Our growth is powered by trust marketing, not hype.
 

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Q: What is the typical first step for new clients?

Answer: We typically begin with a Discovery Call —a no-pressure, confidential conversation to explore your leadership or organizational context. If we’re a fit, we’ll co-design the proper engagement, whether that’s advisory, coaching, or strategy work.

 

Q: What results can clients expect?

Answer:  We can't promise quick wins or polished scripts. We promise real clarity in complex times. Whether you’re navigating institutional change or grappling with personal leadership questions, our promise is this: you won't have to pretend to be someone else to lead effectively.

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Clients walk away with:

• A sharper understanding of their leadership narrative and trust challenges,

• Actionable strategies for navigating change and aligning stakeholders,

• Greater emotional clarity and confidence in high-stakes decisions,

• A long-term partner in their leadership evolution.
   

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Q: What results can clients expect?

Answer:  Both. We offer one-time “Trust Audits” and narrative intensives, but most clients deepen into long-term partnerships, ranging from 3-month individual coaching containers to year-long institutional advisory engagements. Our work grows as your clarity grows.

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Q: What if I'm not ready to work with you yet?

Answer:  That’s completely fine. You can subscribe to our Substack, listen to Trust Be Told, or follow Richard on LinkedIn. Trusted Arc Labs is designed as a thoughtful and welcoming space, even if you're starting to explore these ideas. When you're ready, we'll be here to support you. 

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Last Updated: July 17, 2025