Field Notes: When Values Become a Living Legacy
How the Gentle Transitions philosophy lives on through WellRive today
By Carlos Huereca
President and CPO, WellRive
I’ve always believed that growth only matters if it’s grounded in values. Not growth for growth’s sake, but growth that protects what matters most and carries something meaningful forward.
Stepping into my role as WellRive’s President has only deepened that belief. At this stage of my career, I think often about stewardship – about how decisions ripple outward, how culture is shaped over time, and how the way we show up for people during moments of change can leave a lasting impact.
That’s why when our company, acquired Gentle Transitions in 2021, it never felt like a transaction to me. It felt like an honor. And honestly, I felt the responsibility to honor the past.
To understand why, you have to understand how Gentle Transitions began.
Where It All Started
Gentle Transitions didn’t begin as a business idea or a strategic plan. It began around a kitchen table.
In 1990, Mercedes Gunderson was helping her own mother move. Like so many people in her position, she quickly realized the move wasn’t just about boxes and logistics. It was about emotions, memories, family dynamics, and the underlying grief that can come with leaving a home that has hosted so many memories. Mercedes recognized something important in that moment: all people will eventually need with help moving, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if they also got the patience, compassion and reassurance they need when making such a monumental transition? Could there be a company that brought humanity in what can otherwise feel like a jarring and disorienting experience?
That belief became the foundation of Gentle Transitions.
Mercedes brought her dream to life in Minnesota, and soon thereafter, her son, Greg Gunderson carried that same approach to California At the time, nothing like this service really existed. Over the years, others stepped in to help steward the business, but the heart of it never changed. It remained deeply human, deeply respectful, and deeply focused on doing the right thing, even when it seemed impossible.
That’s the version of Gentle Transitions we stepped into when we took ownership, and it’s what we work to preserve every day.
The Moment the Baton Was Passed
During the Gentle Transitions acquisition process, something inspiring and unexpected happened that I’ll never forget.
Greg, Mercedes’s son, quite literally handed us a baton. It was his way of saying, This company matters. Take care of it. Carry its mission forward.
That moment set the tone for everything that followed.
Since then, we’ve taken what was once a smaller operation and grown it into the national brand it is today – serving clients across multiple states and locations, strengthened by teams who truly revere the work they’re doing. We’ve expanded thoughtfully, stayed grounded in the same values that started this journey, and built a value proposition we’re incredibly proud of. Even as we’ve grown, one thing hasn’t changed: the experience of our clients and partners always comes first. At its heart, this work is guided by a belief we hold closely – arrive well, live well – a reminder that the way people are cared for through change shapes how they experience what comes next.
Ensuring Great Leadership
Today, I feel an incredible sense of joy and confidence about where this work is headed.
Our Minnesota leadership team, Ben and Kaleigh, are carrying this philosophy forward in powerful ways. Not by reinventing it, but by living it. They understand that trust is earned slowly, that presence matters, and that supporting people through change is about more than checking boxes. It’s about showing up, being reliable, and doing what’s right when emotions are high.
Watching them lead is a reminder that this work is bigger than any one person or moment. It’s about continuity, stewardship and making sure the vision that was born around a kitchen table decades ago continues to guide how we serve people – today and tomorrow.
This is how legacies continue – not by standing still, but by being carried forward with intention.
Carlos Huereca, President and Chief People Officer of WellRive, leads the organization with a strong focus on people, culture, and day-to-day operations. Since stepping into the role in late 2025, he has supported WellRive’s growth by ensuring teams have the structure, resources, and support needed to deliver consistent, high-quality service.
With more than 20 years of experience in leadership, Carlos brings a practical approach to hiring, team development, and operational support. He is deeply invested in creating a workplace where employees feel valued and equipped to do meaningful work for clients. He also continues to oversee people strategy across the broader organization to maintain alignment as WellRive expands.
Raised in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Carlos’ leadership style is shaped by a strong belief in relationships, accountability, and trust. He holds an MBA and believes a healthy culture is built through everyday actions, not just policies.