Building a culture worth certifying: Reflections on our Great Place to Work® journey

There are moments in a leader's career when you pause and realize that the seeds you've been planting have grown into something remarkable. Receiving our Great Place to Work® Certification was one of those moments—a reflection of the collective effort of every person who has chosen to build something meaningful with us at AI Digital.

When I joined AI Digital, I knew we had the potential to create something special. What I discovered in our certification results was a workplace culture that has evolved far beyond my initial expectations, in ways that genuinely surprised and humbled me.

The decision to pursue certification

The choice to pursue Great Place to Work® Certification wasn't driven by a desire for external recognition, though we're certainly proud of the achievement. It came from a deeper commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. As we've grown from a startup to a global consultancy with over 300 strategists, I wanted to ensure that our people-first values weren't getting lost in the excitement of expansion.

Too often, companies talk about culture in abstract terms, mission statements that live on walls rather than in daily experiences. We needed an objective lens through which to examine what we'd built together. The Trust Index™ survey gave us exactly that: unfiltered feedback from the people who live our culture every day.

What we heard from our people

The results told a story that, frankly, exceeded my expectations. With 95% of our employees saying AI Digital is a great place to work, compared to 57% at typical U.S. companies—it became clear that we'd created something genuinely special.

But the numbers that really matter are the ones that reveal how people feel about showing up to work every day. When 100% of our team says they feel welcomed when joining the company, and 98% describe management as approachable and appreciative of their efforts, that speaks to something deeper than processes or policies. It speaks to the daily choices our leaders make to show up as human beings first.

The voices that define us

What struck me most about our certification results wasn't just the numbers, but the stories behind them. When employees were asked what makes AI Digital special, their responses painted a picture of a workplace where "culture," "support," "opportunity," and "together" are daily experiences.

Among all the insights, one stood above the rest: nearly every team member feels safe, both physically and psychologically and empowered to be themselves at work. In an environment that can easily become high-pressure and impersonal, these results reflect a deliberate effort to foster connection, inclusion, and mutual respect.

As one team member shared: “The leadership genuinely cares about people as individuals, not just as employees. You feel seen and valued here.”

Of course, we're not perfect. Our survey revealed that while we excel at creating an inclusive, supportive environment, we have room to grow in areas like professional development consistency across all levels. This feedback is a gift—it shows us where to focus our energy as we continue evolving.

Celebrating the people who made this possible

None of this emerges by accident. It's the result of intentional choices made by our leadership team, starting with our CEO Stephen Magli, who has consistently demonstrated that putting people first yields both ethical and business advantages. It's our managers who choose empathy over ego, who see their role as developing others rather than simply directing tasks.

It's our team members who embody our values daily—who celebrate each other's wins, who extend grace during challenging moments, who consistently choose collaboration over competition. 

During our recent company gathering, I watched colleagues from different continents connect like old friends, sharing not just work updates but life stories. That's not something you can mandate in a handbook; it grows when clarity, ownership, and intention guide the way people work together.

What's next: Culture as a living commitment

Receiving this certification marks progress—not completion—on the path to building a truly exceptional workplace. Culture isn’t built and stored but lived and shaped by everyday actions and choices.

As we look ahead, we're committed to:

• Continuous listening: Our annual survey is just one touchpoint. We'll keep creating spaces for ongoing dialogue about what's working and what could be better.
• Investing in growth: Based on employee feedback, we're expanding our learning and development opportunities to ensure everyone has clear paths for advancement.
• Celebrating authentically: From our team offsites to virtual coffee chats, we'll continue creating moments that bring us together and reinforce what makes us unique.
• Leading with transparency: We'll share both our successes and our challenges, because authentic leadership means being honest about the full journey.

A personal reflection

As People & Culture Director, this certification holds special meaning for me. It validates the vision we've worked toward: creating a workplace where high performance and human connection aren't mutually exclusive. When I see our teams collaborating across continents, supporting each other through challenges, and genuinely enjoying the work they do together, I know we're on the right path.

But more than validation, this certification is a responsibility. It's a promise to our current team and future colleagues that we'll keep striving to be worthy of their trust, enthusiasm, and dedication.

To everyone who made this achievement possible—thank you. Your feedback, your commitment, and your daily choice to bring your best selves to work have created something truly special.

And to those considering joining our team: we're not just building programmatic solutions. We're building a workplace where talented people can do their best work while being their authentic selves.

Want to become one of us? You’re welcome! 

Explore current opportunities at AI Digital and discover what it means to be part of a truly people-first culture.

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