From Pilot to Purpose: Reflecting on a Defining Year
As we close out the year, I did not want to step into the next chapter without first pausing to thank my team, board, partners, funders, and champions.
2025 was a defining year for the In Good Company Institute. Together, we moved IGCI from a successful pilot into a trusted organization with clear strategy, a strong brand, and the infrastructure needed to grow. More importantly, we built a community of people and partners who believe that civic education belongs in the workplace and can be done with care, clarity, and integrity.
That progress did not happen by accident. It happened because of the dedication, professionalism, and creativity of the people who make this work possible, even when the pace was fast and the stakes were high.
Here are a few things worth celebrating from the year behind us.
We sharpened our brand story and strategy, so IGCI is easier to explain, share, and join.
We developed new resources, including the ERG toolkit, that make nonpartisan civic participation more accessible for workplaces.
We led programs and trainings that reached thousands of people and helped them better understand volunteering, voting, and the value of community engagement.
We grew the March Matters coalition and strengthened the relationships and systems that make this work measurable and sustainable.
We convened Back to Business Roundtables during the Texas legislative session, bringing together leaders from some of the state’s largest employers.
We stayed firmly nonpartisan while remaining ambitious about our impact, showing that civic education can be both responsible and meaningful.
There is also something more challenging to quantify, but just as important. Throughout the year, our team consistently put mission and relationships first. That level of care, ethics, and shared purpose is rare, and it has been an honor to work alongside people who bring both heart and rigor to this work.
Looking ahead, I feel energized and optimistic. Our foundation is strong. Now is the moment to release, refine, and scale what we have built, while continuing to learn and innovate along the way. I am excited about what we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
Here’s to a strong 2026, and to continued progress rooted in trust, clarity, and collaboration.
With deep gratitude,
Deirdre Walsh,
Founder and CEO
In Good Company Institute