Written by Mariah Mellor, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications, First Advantage
First Advantage (FA) is embracing an exciting new chapter in our journey. With our acquisition of Sterling bringing together two industry leaders, it became important to introduce a refreshed set of core values. These values reflect who we are today and who we strive to be tomorrow. They are principles designed to inspire every interaction with customers, partners, and each other.
I recently sat down with CEO Scott Staples and Chief People & Culture Officer Beth Price to talk about how these values came to life and why they matter.
Q: Why did you decide to refresh the company values now?
Scott: This is a transformational time for us. Bringing two purpose-driven companies together gave us a unique opportunity to step back and ask: Who are we now? What do we stand for together? Both legacy organizations [First Advantage and Sterling] had strong cultures, but we needed a shared set of values that reflect the company we’re building—and where we’re headed.
Q: What was the process like to define these values?
Beth: Inclusive and intentional. We didn’t want values from the top down, we wanted to build them with our people. So we held global focus groups, conducted surveys, leadership interviews, and gathered feedback directly from managers and teams. The five values we landed on represent the most consistent and powerful themes we heard across the organization.
Q: What are the new values?
Beth:
Authenticity – Be honest. Be human. Be real.
Curiosity – Ask questions. Explore boldly.
Integrity – Do the right thing.
Teamwork – Win together, grow together.
Customer-Inspired – Build with purpose, and our customers at top of mind.
Q: How do these values show up in the work we’re doing now?
Scott: Whether it’s how we serve customers, make decisions, or support our teams—these values are a key to how we operate. For example, when we talk about being customer-inspired, it’s not just a phrase. It’s about really listening to customer feedback and creating solutions that matter to them. When we lead with authenticity, it’s reflected in how we show up everyday and in how we communicate—with transparency and empathy.
Q: What do you want people outside the company to know about the FA values journey?
Scott: We’re serious about building a culture that reflects the best of who we are and what our people care about. This isn’t just a box we checked. These values are part of our foundation for stronger customer partnerships and a better employee experience.
Beth: I’d add that it’s also a signal to candidates, customers, and partners about who we are. If these values resonate with you, you’ll probably enjoy working with us—or at FA.
Q: What’s next?
Beth: Now that we’ve introduced the values, it’s all about living them. We’re embedding them into hiring, onboarding, recognition, and leadership development. And we’ll continue celebrating the real stories that bring our values to life.
Scott: This is just the beginning. Culture is never finished. But I’m incredibly proud of where we are and even more excited for where we’re going.
Learn more about First Advantage and how these values shape our mission on our About Us page and be sure to check out our Careers page to discover how you can be a part of the team that lives them.
