Culture at scale: The power of giving back

Going from 30 to 300 employees in a short period of time can make it difficult to hold on to the values you once clung to as a small startup. That’s why, as we grew, it was important to me that our values at Koddi weren’t just something we put up on the walls or regurgitated during all-hands meetings; they needed to be lived practices that we returned to day after day, year after year, so they would become embedded in our way of working, long after an individual left the company or hundreds more joined.

When it comes to our value of giving back to the community we live in, this was something we needed to make sure stayed with us as we scaled. Giving has always been part of who I am. In the rush of daily living, it keeps me grounded and reminds me what really matters: people, connection, and community. I’ve always believed that no act of giving is too small or too big. Whether it’s time, resources, or compassion, every gesture matters. That belief has only deepened over time.

It’s easy to assume that corporate gestures of giving are just for show or obligation. But when a dear friend of mine recently went through something no parent ever expects—their child needed long-term care at Cook Children’s—I saw firsthand how those giving campaigns make a real impact in people’s lives. For six months, that hospital became their home. As I spent time with them there every week, I saw firsthand how every donation, every toy, every meal, and every small kindness made an impact. I had always believed in giving back, but seeing it from the other side made it personal. It became real.

How giving back shows up at Koddi

That experience reinforced something I’ve always valued about Koddi. I’m fortunate to work for a company that weaves giving back into who we are as an organization. Over the years, we’ve found countless ways to serve our communities together, from making sandwiches for the homeless, to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, to organizing our annual toy drive for Cook Children’s. These aren’t one-off events; they’re part of how we stay connected to our purpose and to one another.

And when life brings challenges, whether it’s a natural disaster or a moment when our communities are hurting, I’ve seen our team step up without hesitation. We give our time. We give our money. We give our hearts. Every time, without being asked twice. That willingness to show up is what culture looks like when it’s real.

Living our values beyond the office walls

At Koddi, we talk a lot about clarity, consistency, and accountability. Those principles are critical to our work from 9–5, but giving and community involvement are what tie all three together and create lasting change when we leave the office. There’s clarity in understanding what matters most: people and impact. There’s consistency in showing up for our communities, not just once a year, but all year long. And there’s accountability in knowing that giving back isn’t just an initiative; it’s who we are when no one’s watching.

This time of year always makes me pause and reflect. Giving back and giving thanks feel inseparable; we can’t have one without the other. I also want to take this time to give thanks to our team. I’m grateful for the people who make this culture possible: for our team members who continually show up, planned or not, and bring Koddi’s values to life in their own ways. It’s a reminder that culture is built through action, in how we care for each other and the communities around us.

As we close out the year, I’m filled with gratitude for the people I get to work alongside, for the collaboration and care that define our teams, and for the opportunity to be part of a company that’s grounded in the same values that guide me personally. It’s a privilege to do meaningful work with people who care deeply, give generously, and always find ways to make a difference.