Dropping Ducks, Building Lives featuring Geoff Martin

If you know a Klemmer graduate who is making a difference in the world, we’d love for you to nominate their story. Celebrating these acts of impact is one of the greatest joys of our work and a beautiful reminder of the power of community, generosity, and purpose.

Dropping Ducks, Building Lives featuring Geoff Martin

Geoff Martin’s journey is a story of intentionality, service, faith, and transformation. Based in New Hampshire, Geoff credits much of his personal and professional growth to Klemmer Leadership programs, particularly Personal Mastery.

Before discovering Klemmer, Geoff describes his life as “a lot less structured and a lot more frenetic.” Working in construction, he relied on a physical therapist who suggested he attend a Personal Mastery workshop. Geoff recalls, “I trusted her implicitly…within the first 20 minutes, I knew I was going. I was a little aggravated that I had to wait another two hours before I could sign up.”

Geoff even enrolled his wife Susan without telling her at first, navigating their prior $50 spending agreement with honesty and courage, a decision that initially caused tension. “I spent almost $800 on a workshop and when I told her, she blew up, stomped off into the house, slammed the door,” Geoff admits. Despite her anger, he persisted with respect and transparency, “I said, ‘I’m done being the Lone Ranger. I want to do stuff together.’ I waited, then I went in and shared why I thought this would be meaningful for us as a couple.”

The breakthrough came gradually. On the first morning of the workshop, Susan sat arms crossed, hesitant and unengaged. By the next day, her posture had shifted, and she began leaning forward, opening herself to the experience. Geoff recalls the moment with awe, “By Sunday afternoon, she came up to me and said, ‘I think I want to go.’ I was absolutely shocked. That transformation sparked a whole nuclear reaction for our family, for us personally, and it spread out into the community.”

Faith has been central to their growth. Geoff reflects that these tools strengthened not just their marriage, but also their spiritual life. “It just keeps getting better…it’s a huge part of our commitment to faith, our participation in the greater community, and raising our kids.”  Geoff and his wife Susan created a daily morning routine together back in 2010, coffee together between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m., a consistent anchor that has strengthened their connection for over a decade. Geoff says, “Our communication has risen to a level that keeps rising by holding each other accountable, doing it with respect. This has been fueled by our faith, our commitment to family, and our involvement in the greater community.” 

A lifelong golfer and community supporter, Geoff also found a way to channel his passions into philanthropy. One of his proudest initiatives is the annual Duck Drop fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club. Geoff explains, “One of my passions in life is golf. My business partner and I wanted to do something impactful for the Boys & Girls Club.” The result was an imaginative fundraiser where tiny rubber ducks are dropped from a chairlift at Mount Sunapee, engaging hundreds of participants. “Last year we put over 300 people up the mountain in less than four hours. With the support of sponsors providing prizes and funding, we will go over the million-dollar mark in combined funds raised and prize value this year,” he says. Geoff notes that it has become one of the largest fundraisers for the organization, creating a lasting impact for the children they serve.

Geoff’s approach to leadership is deeply tied to service, compassion, and integrity. On being a Compassionate Samurai, he says, “Compassion is a huge part of what I am continuously bringing to mind and honing, so I’m not coming on as a know-it-all or trying to run your life. I want to communicate in a way that invites the other person into a safe space.” He emphasizes listening over talking, helping others discover their purpose, and empowering people to recognize their own capacities: “I genuinely want to understand other people and offer something that’s going to be helpful in their lives.”

He also highlights the ripple effect of impact. “Some of these kids have grown up to be very successful, well-educated, and have come back to serve the Boys & Girls Club. My idea of impact is one that expands. It’s not just a one-off. It’s a domino effect.” This philosophy informs his personal mission: helping others discover and act upon their purpose. “Develop a perspective and belief that you are a limitless being. There’s so much more you can accomplish and give to make this world a better place.”

For Geoff, the heart of his work lies in purpose and impact. “My life purpose is to help other people discover what their purpose is in life, to inspire them to look for that, find that, and act upon it,” he shares. He emphasizes cultivating a mindset that recognizes our limitless capacities: “There’s so much more you can accomplish and give to make this world a better place.”

Geoff also embodies what Klemmer calls a Compassionate Samurai. For him, this means listening more than speaking, offering support without manipulation, and creating a safe space for others to grow. “I genuinely want to understand other people and what they’re going through. Where can I offer something that’s helpful? A perspective, confidence, a leg up, or just belief in them?” he says. It’s a servant mindset, grounded in integrity and humility, that guides both his personal relationships and community leadership.

Through decades of learning, personal transformation, and community service, Geoff Martin exemplifies how growth in faith, family, and service can ripple outward, creating lasting impact far beyond oneself.