Girls on the Run International is proud to share that the Charlotte Business Journal has named us a 2025 Best Place to Work. This marks our fourth time receiving this honor and our third consecutive year on the list. This award carries extra significance as it is a direct reflection of our team’s authentic perspectives and voices. The Best Places to Work Awards are based entirely on anonymous employee feedback, measuring trust, communication, team dynamics, and overall workplace culture.
To learn more about what this recognition means, how our culture continues to evolve, and what makes GOTRI a truly exceptional place to work, we sat down with Michelle Jackson-Holland, senior vice president of human resources and belonging.
Girls on the Run International has been named a Best Place to Work for the fourth time. Why is this recognition especially meaningful for our organization?
This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the personal experiences of our team. Girls on the Run International exists to inspire joy, confidence, and connection with the girls we serve. Being named a Best Place to Work affirms that we are creating that same experience for our incredible team.
As a fully remote organization, creating a culture where people truly feel connected, valued, and inspired takes thoughtful, ongoing effort. This recognition reinforces that our culture is something our employees actively feel, shape, and sustain year after year.
Our workplace culture is built on connection, belonging, and purposeful leadership. From your perspective, which aspects of GOTRI’s culture most contributed to this year’s recognition?
Collaborative. Inspiring. Inclusive. Joyful. Meaningful. Supportive. These are just a few of the words employees used to describe their experience with GOTRI. What stands out most is the intentionality behind how people show up for one another and their commitment to our mission. The survey results speak volumes: 98% of staff feel inspired by the work we do, treated with respect, accepted by their immediate coworkers, and see their teammates consistently go the extra mile and demonstrate commitment to the organization. Our shared commitment to clarity and purpose also gives employees confidence in where we are headed and how we’ll work together to get there.
The survey results highlight that our culture isn’t just about policies or programs; it’s defined by people, relationships, and the care we bring to our work every day. That sense of connection, belonging, and shared purpose is what truly makes GOTRI a Best Place to Work.
This year, 92% of our staff participated in the anonymous survey, the highest engagement we’ve ever seen. What does this level of participation tell you about trust, transparency, and how staff feel working at GOTRI?
We are incredibly proud of this level of engagement! A 92% participation rate is a powerful indicator of trust. It shows that staff believe their voice matters and that providing feedback leads to meaningful action. High engagement like this reflects a culture where people feel safe being honest, are confident in the leadership’s transparency, and are invested in shaping our shared workplace experience.
Hear it straight from our team!
“This organization lives and breathes its values! We are joyful, collaborative, and supportive. We strive to always improve. We have a quality and growth mindset. I love working here!”
“I have never experienced an organization that truly values staff as people in the way that GOTRI does.”
How do our mission and vision shape the way we think about supporting and empowering our staff?
Our mission calls us to inspire girls to recognize their strength, embrace their differences, and cultivate meaningful connections. That same philosophy guides how we support our staff. We want every employee to feel a sense of purpose in their work, to be valued for the individuality and contributions that they bring, and to be equipped with the resources and support they need to thrive.
Just as we believe in the limitless potential of every girl in our program, we believe our staff’s potential is equally limitless when they are supported and empowered. By centering well-being, belonging, and empowerment for our team, we not only strengthen our workplace culture but also enhance our ability to deliver on our mission every day.
As we look ahead, how will GOTRI continue to strengthen our culture so that we remain a workplace where people feel joyful, valued, connected, and empowered to grow?
A strong workplace culture isn’t something that can be created, then shelved. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on our strengths while addressing areas where staff feedback highlights opportunities for growth and greater impact. We have many initiatives in the works! We will continue to invest in the fundamentals that make our culture strong: purposeful leadership, clear communication, growth opportunities, and practices that center on belonging and well-being.
Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that every person at GOTRI feels supported and inspired, not just to do their job, but to bring their whole selves, contribute meaningfully, and experience joy in the work we do together.
Our efforts are shaped by staying attuned to progressive industry practices that help us remain an inclusive and compelling workplace, and by the unique values of our staff. We’re intentionally creating a culture with and for our people.
Our Best Place to Work honor celebrates the people who bring our mission to life. Their care for one another and for the girls we serve makes GOTRI such a special place to work.
Want to meet some of the incredible people behind this recognition? Read Dear Younger Me: Advice We’d Give Ourselves at 10 and hear directly from members of our team.
