As the year comes to an end, we have so much to be thankful for at DirectEmployers! It has been a year of growth, transformation, and exciting opportunities for our family of brands. We couldn’t have achieved all of this without the unwavering support of our dedicated staff, Members, and partners—thank you for making this year truly unforgettable! As we approach our 25th anniversary, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights and accomplishments of the past twelve months, starting with the exciting honors we’ve earned along the way, starting with some exciting honors we earned this year.
Added to our Growing List of Awards
At the heart of everything we do is the drive to be the best—whether it’s in our company culture, creative initiatives, customer service, or beyond! This year we are thrilled to have earned several prestigious awards, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible team effort that made these accomplishments possible. To everyone who contributed their time, talent, and passion – thank you! Your hard work and dedication truly shine, and we are so grateful for all you do!
- JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award
- Stevie Award – Customer Service Department of the Year – All Other Industries
- Central Indiana Top Workplaces Award
- MUSE Award for DEAMcon24 Recap Video
- Davey Award – Silver Winner
Discover this year’s awards, and the many others we’ve collected over the years in our Awards & Recognition Gallery.
Acting Executive Director, Tom Eckhart, and VP of Marketing, Jaime Costilow, pose for a photo with the Member Engagement team at the 2024 Stevie Awards banquet in Las Vegas.
Expanded DirectEmployers’ Employee Resource Group (ERG)
In 2023, we launched a company-wide employee resource group that met both virtually and in-person to foster inclusion and belonging within the organization. Due to its success, in 2024, we expanded into subgroups:
- Faith in Action, which aims to promote religious inclusivity and understanding within our workplace.
- Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN), focused on gender diversity and equality, this subgroup empowers and uplifts women within our organization.
- ConnectAbility, centered around advocacy for accessibility and inclusivity, this ERG works to break down barriers for employees with disabilities.
- Mental Health & Invisible Illness, which as aptly named, encourages mental health awareness and support, ensuring no one faces their battles alone.
- VetConnect, which provides resources, support, and allyship to our employees who have served in the military and their families.
- Caregivers, recognizing caregiver challenges and offering assistance and resources to those caring for loved ones.
From guest speakers and volunteer events to community-supportive meetups and brainstorming sessions, these groups have certainly made a difference in more ways than one. We thank all our ERG co-chairs and executive sponsors for their dedication and support, and look forward to what comes next for these invaluable groups in the coming year!
Continued the DE Talk Podcast
Season five of the DE Talk Podcast carried us into the new year with inspiring discussions about employee resource groups, DEI, and OFCCP compliance, and culminating in May with an enlightening conversation on the hiring challenges faced by military spouses. After a short break through the summer, the season six kicked off with a vibrant lineup of episodes exploring applicant tracking and recordkeeping strategies, employment networks, inclusive AI hiring tech, programmatic job advertising, and strategies for supporting women veterans. With season six still underway, we’re excited to announce an upcoming episode featuring our Board of Directors as they recount their 2024 compliance journeys and share their expectations for 2025 under a new administration. Be sure to sign up to receive text alerts or email notifications so you don’t miss insights from your HR peers!
Hosted DEAMcon24 in New Orleans
This spring, we headed south to New Orleans for DirectEmployers 2024 Annual Meeting & Conference (DEAMcon24) where we had the pleasure of welcoming our Members, partners, and industry friends for two and a half days of learning, networking and fun. From an outstanding lineup of sessions and delicious local cuisine to unforgettable swap and a lively evening at the National WWII Museum, DEAMcon24 was truly one for the books! Relive the magic by checking out the highlights in the (award-winning!) video below and be sure to check out the Day One, Day Two, and Day Three recaps on our blog. We’re already counting down to seeing everyone again in Scottsdale, May 21st-23rd, for DEAMcon25!
Hosted an In-Person NLx Steering Committee Meeting
It’s been another productive year for the National Labor Exchange (NLx) and the dedicated efforts of its Steering Committee. This incredible group – made up of employer and state workforce agency representatives, along with NASWA and DirectEmployers staff – ensures the NLx is managed with everyone’s best interests at heart. To maximize resources and availability, the committee gathered in New Orleans ahead of DEAMcon24 for a productive two-day meeting. Together, we shared insights through presentations by DirectEmployers, NASWA staff, partners, and Members, and wrapped up with a dynamic roundtable discussion that encouraged brainstorming and collaboration. Thanks to quarterly meetings and regular connection, we have no doubt that 2025 will user in growth and continued collaboration!
Held a Staff Donation Drive to Raise Money for Special Causes
Giving back isn’t just for the holidays! Each summer, as part of our employee engagement program, we give staffers the opportunity to donate to causes near and dear to their heart, with a $25 match by DirectEmployers to a nonprofit voted on by employees. This year IndyHumane was the clear winner. In the end, staff donated $586 dollars to causes of their choosing, and DirectEmployers matched $375 to IndyHumane, in return!
Announced Leadership Changes
Mid-summer, we shared the news that Tom Eckhart, one of DirectEmployers’ longest-standing staff members, had been named Acting Executive Director. With 23 years of dedication to DE, we are thrilled to have him guide the Association forward. Along with his promotion, came another exciting announcement! AJ Selvey was also promoted to Vice President of Membership Development after 14 years with DirectEmployers! With so much incredible talent leading the Association, we look forward to what’s to come!
Acquired Equality Magazines to Expand Members’ Job Visibility
Always looking to expand our reach and gain more visibility for our Members’ jobs, we were excited to announce our acquisition of EqualityMagazines.com and its network of diversity-focused job boards, including BlackPerspective.com, Hispanic-Today.com, VeteransEnterprise.com, and WIB-I.com. In addition to expanding job visibility, we hope this acquisition helps supplement employers’ desire to brand themselves as inclusive workplaces. Get the full details from this press release!
Hosted a PRM User Focus Group
Product improvements and identifying development opportunities are ever present at DirectEmployers, and one of our best sources of feedback remains our Members! This year, we hosted a Partner Relationship Manager (PRM) virtual focus group where we invited PRM users to share invaluable insights into its usage, strengths, and areas for improvement. Thanks to your input, we’ve shared this feedback with our development team to implement updates and introduce exciting new features. Stay tuned for more in the coming year – we can’t wait to show you what’s next!
…and we’re just getting started sharing what an incredible year it’s been! Stay tuned next week to see all that took place in the second half of the year.
