about 45 lemons

We are culture architects, strategic partners and collaborators for change.

Black-and-white portrait of Verta Maloney, co-founder of 45 Lemons, smiling, wearing glasses, a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, and a top with thin straps.

Naa Yirenkyi

verta maloney

Naa and verta have spent their lives working toward more human, equitable ways of leading, learning, and being. Their work has taken different forms over the years, but has always been grounded in a shared belief in what becomes possible when people have the conditions to thrive.

They’ve known each other since they were 19 years old. When they were both 45, they decided to bring their experiences, ideas, and gifts together to build a company of their own. Their age gave them the first half of the name.

Co Founders, Naa and Verta, standing outdoors in front of a vehicle, both smiling at the camera, wearing summer clothing, with trees and a building in the background in a photo from the early 90s

the aforementioned 90s

The lemons came from what they believed the work could do.

Lemons can nourish and heal. They can cleanse. They can be sharp or sweet. They can transform what they touch.

45 Lemons was born from both: where Naa and verta were in their own lives, and what they wanted to help make possible for others.

We believe culture is the foundation for everything.

not a side conversation.