The celebrated Northern explorer Ernest Shackleton is best known not for his failed attempt to cross Antarctica, but for demonstrating remarkable leadership and resilience in steering his crew from shipwreck to safety. Navigating by the stars through deadly winter conditions, he faced impossible odds head-on and successfully brought every one of his men home. His is an unforgettable tale of resilience, reminding us that even in the deepest night, we can find a light to guide our way.
This past year, our industry faced its own shifting ice fields. Systemic changes and unpredictable disruptions in the federal landscape demanded rapid adaptation, and there were moments when we, too, felt like we were traversing an unknown path on a moonless night.
But like Shackleton’s fated crew, we found our way through together.
We held fast to the concept of glimmers—small, positive moments that spark happiness, peace, and gratitude. These glimmers and our values have been our North Star: a spark of guiding light that helped us chart our course through the unknown.
Throughout 2025, our employees have been the brightest of these glimmers, embodying the spirit of perseverance and generating a friendly glow that sees us through the toughest days.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating our 2025 employee award winners—those extraordinary Cofolx whose work, enthusiasm, kindness, and perseverance illuminated the lives of those around them, making our days just a little brighter.
Celebrating Our Cultural Catalysts and Project Pros
These awardees are the individuals who, through their daily actions, light up our culture and amplify our project work. They are shining examples of compassion, inclusivity, and care at Coforma.
The Couldn’t Care More Award
This award goes to the employee whose engagement with others, whether within or outside the company, demonstrates thoughtful intentions in both their communications and actions, reflecting our broader commitment to care.
2025 Winner: Thomas Castro, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition
The Approach Matters Award
Our Approach Matters award is given to the project team member who demonstrates an exemplary, thoughtful, inclusive, and ethical approach to their work at each step of the way, recognizing that how we work is as important as what we create.
2025 Winner: Jane Park Storm, Senior Principal Design Researcher
The For All Award
This crowd-sourced award is given to the employee who demonstrates excellence in inclusivity—through their mindset, ways of engaging and creating, and by empowering others to embrace inclusive solutions and approaches.
2025 Winner: Homer Gaines, Jr., Senior Accessibility Engineer
The Public Servant at Heart Award
The Public Servant at Heart Award goes to the project team member whose work embodies a commitment to serving people and communities.
2025 Winner: Buddhima Kurukulasuriya, Group Product Manager
The Golden Taco Award
Our coveted Golden Taco award is given to the employee who performs their work with consistent excellence, reflects our values, partners effectively, and supports team members. This awardee’s sustained brilliance serves as a reliable light for everyone around them.
2025 Winner: Emma Bosley, Senior Project Manager
Illuminating Our Illustrious Leaders
From thoughtfulness and collaboration to wisdom and grit, our next awards are based on manager input and are centered around the qualities that make a good leader.
Inconspicuous Initiator Award
The Inconspicuous Initiator award is selected through manager input and given to an employee who regularly puts thoughtful solutions into motion. Though their day-to-day efforts may not be visible to many, their work impacts us all.
2025 Winner: Lisa Capaccioli. Lisa has helped initiate many important internal topics and projects, which are very important for the future of the work we do and product management at Coforma.
Co-creator Award
Selected by managers, this award is given to a strong collaborator who continuously demonstrates new ways of working with peers, clients, project stakeholders, and communities.
2025 Winner: Adam Caniparoli. Adam stepped in to fill big shoes at CDS and is often exploring new ways of working to support the program and his team to be better.
Lift All Folx Leader Award
The Lift All Folx Leader award goes to an employee who frequently demonstrates an ability to effectively demonstrate leadership to those around them–whether peers, reports, or more senior team members–through their communication, actions, and thought leadership with an emphasis on empowering and lifting others.
2025 Winner: Jared Cunha. Jared's thought leadership in accessibility is nothing short of amazing. Both on projects, at Coforma, and on a national stage, he sets the example for others in civic tech, while always bringing others along, no matter where they are in their journey.
Thanks to All for an Impactful Year
One thing we’ve learned in 2025 is that resilience is a practice, and that by focusing on moments of grace and gratitude, we can always find our way.
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to continue building on the foundation of care, inclusivity, and thoughtfulness we’ve all helped establish.
To all our 2025 employee award winners: Thank you for brightening our days and guiding the way. We look forward to the year ahead, inspired by the incredible talent and spirit of the entire Coforma team.