We start with why. Our vision names the future we’re working toward, our promise describes how we get there, and our mission defines the work we do every day in pursuit of both.

Vision

Revolutionize the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place.

Promise

Create experiences that transform the heart, mind and practice.

Mission

We provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities.

Interested in helping us carry out our mission? 

Core Values

Our core values are the compass for how we operate with our colleagues and our partners.

Being reliable and responsive to partners and coworkers Being reliable and responsive to partners and coworkers.

  • Our decisions and actions are guided by the Academy’s vision, promise, mission, and organizational priorities.
  • We deliver quality work in a timely fashion that meets the agreed upon needs and expectations of our coworkers and partners.
  • We continuously evaluate and take responsibility for the impact of our decisions and actions and remain open to feedback with a commitment to learning and seeking repair when there is disconnection.
  • Clearly articulate our core values to partners and then set and honor boundaries in support of these values.

Achieving organizational goals through mutual sharing, teamwork, and cooperation with partners and coworkers.

  • We communicate with transparency and approach planning and decision-making by involving those impacted in the process, keeping in mind the philosophy of  “Nothing about us without us*.”
  • We actively reach out to collaborate, within and between Academy teams, as well as with external partners, to offer and receive support and share resources to achieve common goals.
  • We build spaces with co-creation and shared responsibility, where power and privilege are acknowledged and navigated thoughtfully, ensuring that relationships are balanced and we share in the risks and rewards of our work together.

* ”Nothing about us without us”- This phrase has been commonly used by Academy staff after being introduced by our RIHS colleagues who delivered peer support and mental/behavioral health services to our partners as well as by our CWDS colleagues while supporting child welfare workforce development. We also acknowledge the origins of this term as a slogan that was created by AIDS activists in 1983.

Creating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment that appreciates and builds on the diverse talents, cultures, backgrounds, experiences, and opinions of coworkers and partners.

  • We recognize that our worldviews are shaped by our own experiences, and actively explore our own assumptions to enhance our working relationships.
  • We listen with intent and curiosity, valuing the unique perspectives and expertise of others, and use inclusive language that seeks to understand meaning and experiences beyond our own.
  • We actively engage in learning about the intersectional identities that exist within our internal and external communities, showing a willingness to adapt and be responsive to our coworkers and partners.

Demonstrating openness, flexibility, and adaptability in thought and action.

  • We are open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
  • We are willing to shift plans as needed to be responsive to the needs of partners and coworkers.
  • We are willing to be with the discomfort of change, uncertainty, a different degree of control, and the need to adapt.

Seeking ways to enhance the Academy’s work and develop creative solutions to challenges encountered.

  • We look for ways to enhance the flow and impact of our work that include time to reflect on implementation needs and space to evaluate their effectiveness.
  • We engage in inquiry and meaningful consultation by actively seeking diverse ideas, perspectives, and strategies.
  • We actively seek and implement creative solutions to challenges in work processes and interpersonal dynamics.

Being honest, ethical, fair, and considerate in interactions and decisions.

  • We actively self-reflect and transparently communicate our needs, strengths, and boundaries to honor our whole selves and nurture healthy relationships.
  • We dedicate time to understanding the needs and experiences of others, ensuring that our decisions and commitments respect everyone’s workload and boundaries.
  • We uphold confidentiality, discerning what information to share and seeking clarity when in doubt.

Using expertise and the application of best practices to partner with partners and coworkers.

  • We are the face of the Academy and acknowledge that each of us is an integral part of a whole; our community with a shared vision.
  • We respect and integrate diverse experiences and viewpoints as a form of expertise, acknowledging the richness that various types of lived experiences bring to our practice.
  • We commit to continuous personal and professional development, and adapting our approaches to meet the needs of those we serve with the most current and effective practices.

Seeking a state of work/life balance where we can function at our best, learn and grow, and find meaning in our work.

  • We contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by engaging in culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices with an understanding that being trauma-informed plays a vital role in our personal and communal well-being.
  • We actively seek a work-life balance that aligns with our personal needs and honor the work-life balance of others.
  • We leverage our strengths to achieve success and satisfaction in our work and strive to be aware of ways they may undermine our personal well-being if not attended to.
Smiling man gesturing while talking on a video call.

See How We Fulfill Our Promise

Our promise comes to life in how we design and deliver learning experiences and capacity building services.