2024 Annual Impact Report

A word from the founder…
As I reflect on the journey of GLIDE, from its inception in 2003 to where we stand today, I'm filled with a profound sense of gratitude and purpose. Our mission to "help people who help others" has not only shaped our path but has also defined the essence of our impact on the world.

This annual impact report marks a significant milestone for GLIDE. It encapsulates our evolution, our learning, and our commitment to being more than just a digital creative agency. Here, we celebrate our collective efforts to drive meaningful change, support purpose-led enterprises, and foster a culture of passion, growth, and resilience within our team and the communities we serve.

2024: A Year of Purposeful Growth and ImpactOur journey this past year has been remarkable. We continued to build on the foundation of purpose and progress. Renewing our certifications with Climate Neutral and 1% for the Planet, and being honored on both the Inc. Best Workplaces and Fortune Best Workplaces lists, affirmed our commitment to doing business the right way.

Embracing Our Core ValuesOur core values of building meaningful relationships, loving what we do, striving to be better every day, delivering faithfully, and enjoying the journey, have been our guiding stars. They have steered us through challenges, inspired innovation, and nurtured a culture where passion meets purpose.

Looking ForwardAs we look to the future, our vision remains clear. As GLIDE reached 21 years in business, we didn’t just mark a milestone, we expanded our impact, launched new verticals like GLIDE® Health, and deepened our investment in the people, partners, and values that define us.

To Our GLIDE Family and BeyondTo our dedicated team, our esteemed clients, and our invaluable partners, thank you. Your belief in our mission fuels our drive to do meaningful work that makes a difference. As we move forward, let us continue to embrace our purpose, uphold our values, and make each moment count.

Together, we are GLIDE. Together, we create, inspire, and transform.

Travis McAshan
Founder & CEO, GLIDE

The heart of GLIDE

Vision
Purpose & Mission

GLIDE’s purpose is to help people who help people. GLIDE’s mission is to scale impact for purpose-led organizations through our work.

BHAG & Envisioned Future

75% of our clients are purpose-led organizations we love, who love us.

2024
Highlights

B-Corp

Maintaining B-Corp Certification status underscores GLIDE’s commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This aligns us with a global community of businesses dedicated to using their success as a force for good.

Climate Neutral Re-Certified

Re-Certifying for Climate Neutral demonstrates GLIDE’s commitment to measuring, reducing, and offsetting our carbon footprint. This certification highlights our dedication to sustainable practices and our role in combating climate change.

Inc Best Places to Work

Earning a spot on Inc.’s Best Places to Work list highlights GLIDE’s commitment to creating an engaging, values-driven work environment. This recognition celebrates our emphasis on team connection, transparent leadership, and a culture where meaningful work and personal growth go hand in hand.

1% for the Planet Re-Certified

As a 1% for the Planet re-certified business, GLIDE demonstrates our commitment to giving back to environmental causes. This certification signifies our pledge to donate 1% of our annual revenue to support environmental initiatives worldwide.

Fortune Best Workplaces List

Being named to the Fortune Best Workplaces List reflects GLIDE’s continued investment in cultivating a mission-driven, people-first culture. This recognition honors our dedication to building a workplace that prioritizes trust, inclusivity, and purpose—where our team can thrive both personally and professionally.

Understanding this report

How did we determine what to focus on?

    • Introduction on materiality topics
    • Featured KPIs (shown)
    • All KPIs (hidden but expandable)

How do we think about, measure, and celebrate impact?

Visibility & Reach – Help good people and great ideas receive the exposure they deserve
Engagement & Conversion – Achieve meaningful interactions that drive business goals
ROI & Outcomes – Deliver value to our clients and positively impact the lives of others
Core values

1. Build Meaningful Relationships

GLIDE is committed to amplifying the impact of businesses that aim to do good in the world. That’s why we have an ambitious 10-year goal to shape our client base for the better, following two key objectives.

Supporting Purpose-Led Enterprises Supporting Underserved Populations
% of revenue from purpose-led organizations* % of revenue from clients serving underserved populations*
10-Year Goal
75%
2024 Actual
%
10-Year Goal
25%
2024 Actual
20%

Other Supporting Metrics

Goal: # of IRL new client meetings Goal: % of GLIDErs who have met IRL
Target
4
Actual
3
Target
100%
Actual
90%

New Purpose-Led Clients

Notable Existing Purpose-Led Clients

Notable Wins / Highlights

    • Second IRL leadership EOS annual
    • Every GLIDEr has a 3-year career plan
WordCamp Take Two: Torino!

Being remote means meeting globally, this time in Italy for another unforgettable WordCamp adventure!

WallaWords: IRL UX Jam

Sticky notes, strategy, and brainpower, our UX leaders met face-to-face to puzzle through user journeys.

Reflections & Challenges

Achieving our Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and increasing our engagement with underserved audiences presents a formidable challenge. While in-person meetings (IRL) are instrumental in forging strong connections, the logistical and financial implications are significant, especially as a remote, distributed, and international agency. Our journey towards reaching 75% revenue from purpose-led organizations and serving more underserved populations requires perseverance, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.

References

2. Love What You Do

Our work may be fun, but we take employee wellbeing VERY seriously. That’s why we keep ourselves accountable to them through various workplace culture KPIs, each focused on elevating the experiences of our teammates.

Employee Satisfaction Living Wages
Employee net promoter score
(-100 to 100)
% of all employees paid a living wage
(specific to family & location)
Target
70+
2024 Actual
96
Target
100%
2024 Actual
100%

Other Supporting Metrics

Weekly mood pulse score # of employees that achieved 3-year growth plans % of GLIDErs involved in quarterly wellness challenges
Target
80%+
Actual
81%
Target
80%
Actual
100%
Target
80%+
Actual
81%

Quotes from Employees

“GLIDE is the best! We have a great company culture, a supportive team, there are also ample opportunities for professional development and advancement within the organization. And we get to work on projects that are both challenging and rewarding but while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, with the 4DWW and remote work options.”
“Great culture. Lots of flexibility on where and when you work. Everyone I work with is supportive and talented. Best place I've worked.”
“It is a great place to work. Work-life balance is very important to me, and I feel that at GLIDE it is managed very well.”
“Working at GLIDE is like nothing I've ever experienced. I didn't know there were work places like this before I started here.”
“I've been with the company for 2.5 years now and am always amazed at the level of care our leadership team shows. They want to do good work that clients truly benefit from, not just collect a paycheck.”
“I love GLIDE and I'm glad we have such a healthy culture and team dynamic. It's great to always be thinking through the lens of our core values, purpose, and goals.”
“GLIDE has an amazing company culture, and the team really cares about each other. GLIDE puts out some of the best digital design around while encouraging a healthy work/life balance.”
"I don't think that any other place has all of this so 10/10."
“We focus on working with clients like non-profits who make a positive social and environmental impact on the world. Couldn't sing enough praises.”

Notable Highlights / Wins

Every GLIDEr now has a personalized 3-year growth plan
We continued skip-level 1:1s across the company
From Seattle to Sarajevo, GLIDErs leveled up through professional learning across the globe.
Cota Racing

What started as a fun outing became a full-on team bonding boost. Racing at COTA brought out our competitive spirit and reminded us how powerful momentum can be when we move together.

Austin Humane Society Volunteer Day

We rolled up our sleeves and got a little furry for a cause. Partnering with AHS gave us a chance to give back locally and support some four-legged friends along the way!

Reflections & Challenges

Navigating the balance between providing competitive compensation and maintaining our status as a great place to work is a continuous journey. The impact of wage inflation and the occasional necessity to part ways with clients who do not align with our values remind us of the complexity of loving what we do. These challenges underscore the importance of fostering a workplace where passion is not just encouraged but lived daily.

References

 

3. Better Every Day

When it comes to our personal and professional selves, we believe in progress over perfection at GLIDE. Our take on sustainability is no different. This is why we’ve collected a handful of social and environmental goals and milestones that align with our 3rd core value: BETTER EVERY DAY.

Environmental Stewardship
Maintain 1% for the Planet certification requirement % of GLIDEr carbon emissions offset in 2024
Target
1% Giving
Actual
Recertified
Target
100%
Actual
117 Tons (100%)

Other Supporting Metrics

% of GLIDErs who identify as women % of GLIDErs who identify as ethnically/racially diverse
Target
N/A
Actual
52.9%
Target
N/A
Actual
23.5%

Proof & Evidence

Certified B Corp
1% for the Planet
SOC2 Certification
Climate Neutral

Reflections & Challenges

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and environmental sustainability challenges us to rethink traditional remote work paradigms. Encouraging our team to embrace change, engage in equity and justice training, and commit to sustainability goals requires a delicate balance between personal conviction and professional responsibility. These initiatives, while challenging, are essential for fostering an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable work environment.

4. Deliver Faithfully

Holding promises and acknowledging faults are part of our DNA. Our core value, DELIVER FAITHFULLY, and the associated KPIs below represent our determination to provide authentic, high quality work to both our clients and our community.

Customer Satisfaction Business Ethics
Client net promoter score
(-100 to 100)
# of legally filed complaints in 20 year company history
Target
60%
2024 Actual
78%
Target
0%
2024 Actual
0%

Other Supporting Metrics

Customer support satisfaction Maintain BCorp “Designed to Give” donation commitment
Target
90%+
Actual
98%
Target
5%
Actual
5%

Reflections & Challenges

Ensuring client satisfaction while safeguarding our team’s well-being demands a delicate equilibrium. This core value, while outwardly client-focused, has internal implications as well, pushing us to find innovative ways to fulfill our promises without overextending our resources. The pursuit of excellence, combined with the reality that not every client relationship is sustainable, emphasizes the need for clear communication, realistic expectations, and mutual respect.

5. Enjoy the Journey

Embracing life’s wonders is integral to who we are. Our latest uncovered core value, ENJOY THE JOURNEY, reflects our commitment to a balanced life. These KPIs ensure we stay energized, fulfilled, and ready to bring our best selves to every aspect of life.

Supporting Employee Rest & Time Off Public Recognition & Acknowledgement
# of scheduled days off per GLIDEr (excluding holidays, sick and leave) # of team “shoutouts” per GLIDEr weekly (as an average)
Target
5% increase
2024 Actual
12.4 days off per GLIDEr
Target
4
Actual
2.3

Other Supporting Metrics

% participation in weekly shared gratitude practice # of countries represented in team
Target
N/A
Actual
57%
Target
N/A
Actual
10

Notable Highlights / Wins

Maintained 4DWW throughout 2024
20 quarterly core values award winners
$1,000 gifted to wellness challenge winners
Drew got engaged in Hawaii

Sunset views and a big “yes!” Drew popped the question in paradise—cheers to this next chapter!

Jeff’s son graduated high school

Proud dad moment unlocked! Jeff’s son crossed the stage and into his next chapter.

Dan’s trip to Thailand

Temples, tuk-tuks, and tropical eats. Dan’s Thailand trip was one for the books.

Madeline competed in a triathlon

Swim, bike, run—and crushed it. Madeline took on a triathlon and proved she’s powered by grit.

Reflections & Challenges

Balancing the demands of being an elite agency with our commitment to generosity and employee well-being is an ongoing challenge. Our initiatives like unlimited time off, flexible hours, and a four-day workweek are designed to prevent burnout and promote work-life harmony. However, ensuring these policies translate into genuine rest and recovery for our high-performing team members requires ongoing attention and adaptation. Our endeavor to protect our team’s time and encourage full disengagement during vacations is a testament to our commitment to enjoying the journey together.

Final thoughts
As we close out our 2024 impact, I’m reminded that the most meaningful impact begins close to home.

This year, I’ve deepened my personal commitment to my community by mentoring youth aging out of foster care with Foster Nation and continuing to serve on the Advisory Board for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I have also enrolled in the 2025 cohort of Nonprofit Leadership Academy with the Amarillo Area Foundation, eager to bring fresh insight into our purpose-led clients. At home, our family has leaned into service—encouraging our kids to bring joy through holiday sing-alongs at retirement communities and volunteering with the Civil Air Patrol—while my husband continues to volunteer his time to produce Beyond the Ribbon, a podcast uplifting cancer survivors and caregivers. In a time when uncertainty often feels louder than hope, we believe modeling steady, everyday acts of giving is a quiet but powerful form of leadership. At GLIDE, and in life, we remain committed to doing what we can, where we are, with what we have. Because even small acts, done in community, can ripple outward to create a more beautiful, compassionate world.

Brooke Miceli
Vice President, GLIDE