ABOUT US
Walking the Walk: Our Story and Team
At TOPUCU, our impact comes from the people behind the programs.
Our Story
TOPUCU was founded by Norm Mulder, whose personal journey inspired a mission: to create a program that empowers individuals to take ownership of their growth and transform their lives. Norm’s vision has guided TOPUCU from the beginning, constantly evolving to reflect the latest research and evidence on personal development, accountability, and habit formation.
Our team embodies this mission. Half of our staff are formerly incarcerated, and one team member even completed the TOPUCU program while incarcerated and went on to become a facilitator. Together, we are living proof that TOPUCU works — not just in theory, but in practice.
Though small, we are a dedicated, high-impact team of professionals committed to getting TOPUCU into the hands of as many people as possible. With Norm’s leadership and our team’s combined experience, we’ve developed over five customized versions of the standard curriculum. Each version meets participants where they are, delivering TOPUCU in a way that’s relatable, accessible, and immediately actionable.
At TOPUCU, we don’t just teach transformation — we live it.
Our Approach
We simplify the application of complex, timeless success principles. Through a practical and proven system, we equip individuals to identify their purpose, build discipline, and take personal accountability for their growth and success. We create and continuously refine multiple versions of the TOPUCU curriculum to ensure every participant can engage in a way that meets them where they are:
Curriculum Development & Customization – Tailored to different populations, including youth, workforce, addiction recovery, and justice-involved individuals.
Research & Evaluation – Ongoing studies with academic partners ensure our programs reflect evidence-based practices.
Facilitator Support & Training – Preparing facilitators to deliver TOPUCU effectively in every environment.
Community & Organizational Partnerships – Strengthening outcomes for individuals, workplaces, and communities.
Our Values
We live by The Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Though many in society believe “an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” and in taking revenge when wronged, the Golden Rule is rooted in empathy and compassion that implores us to see things from the other person’s perspective, put ourselves in their shoes and treat them with dignity and respect, the way we would want to be treated.
We seek to have a generational impact.
According to a 2002 report, “children of incarcerated parents are five to six times more likely than those without imprisoned parents to enter the criminal justice system.” Intervening with compassionate support and practical tools can break the cycle for generations to come.
We embrace personal accountability to control thinking and decision making.
Although our life situation may not always be our fault, it will always be our problem and our opportunity. The victim mentality paralyzes us while overcomers and those who develop the heart of a champion routinely persevere through unthinkable challenges.
In order to be authentic, we are willing to be vulnerable and transparent.
Life is not fair. We all make mistakes, we hurt people and have regrets. Sharing our experiences and being honest with ourselves and others, especially when it is hard or potentially embarrassing, is critical to real connection and meaningful impact.
We never prioritize profits over people.
No enterprise can succeed long-term without financial stability and we recognize that we can help far more people with $1million dollars than we ever could with $10,000 to invest. That said, we will work with state agencies and other outreach channels, including non-state and non-profit organizations, in an effort to reach the underserved population who may not be able to afford the TOPUCU program on their own.
