Civilla

As we approach Thanksgiving this week, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the moments, partnerships, and people that have impacted our work this year. From small gestures to meaningful collaborations, every connection has helped us move forward—and we’re grateful for the many hands that make this work possible. We’d love to hear from you—what is something you’re grateful for in your work this year? Share below!

After years of collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Civilla tackled a critical challenge: how could residents track their benefits applications without overwhelming state staff? The result? Michigan became the first state to implement a benefits application tracker, drawing inspiration from an unlikely source—Domino's pizza. This innovative tool now provides residents with real-time updates on their application status, easing the process for both applicants and state employees. Check out our latest Stories to read about how MDHHS moved this project from idea to reality.

When problems in government seem difficult to tackle, sometimes the answers can be found in places we didn't consider before. In our most recent Civilla Chats on Natural Intelligence, we explored how civic leaders can learn from billions of years of natural life to solve complex issues. Our CEO michael brennan joined biologist, ecologist and author Leen Gorissen to discuss that very idea–how understanding the natural world around us works allows us to be better innovators and designers. To everyone who was able to join in, thank you for joining us! If you did attend, what did you take away from the chat that has stuck with you?

Looking to stay in the loop with all things Civilla? If you're passionate about human-centered design, inspired by stories of real change within institutions, or want to hear about our upcoming events, we’d love to have you join our community! Sign up for our newsletter today and stay connected ???????? ???? https://eepurl.com/dEeWHj

"It's NI not AI that is the game changer the world needs right now." - Centre4NI Have you signed up for our next virtual chat yet? Tomorrow (Oct. 30), our CEO michael brennan will have an important conversation with Leen Gorissen on how natural intelligence can transform how we bring human-centered design to civic organizations. We hope you can join us!

Time for a check-in! What’s one tool that’s been a game-changer for your work lately—making things smoother, faster, or sparking more creativity? Whether it’s your trusty stack of Post-its, a time-saving app, or a new tool you can’t live without, we'd love to hear about it. Share in the comments below and let’s build a powerhouse toolkit together. You never know who might benefit from your secret weapon.

Join us for the next Civilla Chats! In an era of rapid AI advancements, what can nature teach us about leadership and design in government? Our upcoming virtual talk, “Centering Nature: How Natural Intelligence Can Transform Civic Leadership,” will be hosted by Civilla's CEO, michael brennan, alongside biologist, ecologist and author Leen Gorissen. Together, they’ll explore how nature can guide civic leaders to rethink their approach to human-centered design and innovation. Don’t miss the conversation! Sign up below to RSVP - we hope to see you there:

We're thrilled to announce the start of our latest project with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency—Project Navigate! This collaboration will focus on strengthening UIA’s Community Connect Program, which supports local organizations as they help Michiganders access unemployment benefits more easily. Our partnership with the UIA over the last few years has been uplifting, and this project kickoff was no different. We had the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. While we’re still in the early stages, one thing is clear: we’re all energized and ready to make unemployment benefits more accessible to Michigan residents who need it. A big thank you to Julia Dale and her team at Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for being all in. It’s an honor to work together on this important mission!

BenCon 2024 may be behind us, but we’re still celebrating our Civillians - Rachael Carson, Eesha Patne, and Lena Selzer - who led two impactful sessions at this year's Digital Benefits Conference in Washington, D.C. Here's a quick look at the sessions we contributed to: 1?? Improving Digital Service Delivery: A deep dive into how customer experience principles can transform public benefit programs and improve digital access for all. 2?? Strategies for Engaging Lived Expertise: Centering the voices of beneficiaries to ensure public services are accessible and equitable for all. It was an incredible event full of inspiring speakers and rich conversations. A big thank you to Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation and everyone who made it happen! Were you at BenCon 2024? We'd love to hear your biggest takeaway! Drop it in the comments. ??

Fall is here, and we’re loving the cooler weather! Recently, our team took some time to gather in our own Detroit neighborhood to reflect on the rich history and design inspiration around us. We explored the Milwaukee Junction, connected with nature, and even heard the story of the Ford Piquette Plant—the birthplace of the first Model T! It’s easy to overlook how much design shapes our everyday lives. Our day in the community was a great reminder of the many ways we can connect, create, and reset as we dive into a new chapter of work. What’s been inspiring your work lately?