Oh, What A 2025 We’ve Had

It has been a busy year here at Common Ground USA. We partnered with on-the-ground leaders in Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota, and Utah to help them navigate instances of political violence. We found our next cohort of community storytellers in New Orleans. We hosted dozens of gatherings connecting hundreds of Americans.

Our team is steadily growing—including four new team members this year. And we’re building stronger partnerships with local leaders, community organizations, and other bridge builders all across the nation.

We’re looking forward to digging even deeper in 2026, but before we get there, each of our CG-USA team members took a moment to reflect on all we’ve done in 2025. Here’s what everyone said:

Faitth B., Director of Strategy and Community: This year I multitasked and pivoted often, learned to stay adaptable, and took more strides to loosen jargon’s grip on our team (one day, people will actually know what we’re talking about). I’m especially proud of the teamwork and growth I’ve witnessed in everyone along the way.

Johandra D., Program Manager: This year, I’ve gone from not knowing any of our network members to meeting a lot of them in person! It’s been incredibly rewarding to get to know the diversity of amazing work our network members do, and witness these networks in action.

Nicole D., Program Assistant: I helped launch the Common Ground Journalism program, and have worked with two amazing cohorts of student journalists to build their skills in conflict-sensitive and solutions-oriented reporting. Bringing our students together at the National Press Club this fall was the highlight of my year.

Ella D., Learning and Evaluation Manager: This year I met with each project in person! Getting to witness and be a part of IRL collaboration is a very special opportunity in our “remote first” working world. I also racked up the miles, visiting nine states. 

Will F., Pennsylvania State Lead: As an adopted Eastern Pennsylvanian, I helped bridge the divide between Yousers and Yinzers in our state by spending 2025 building deep relationships with leaders in Pittsburgh. I still can’t replicate a PA accent to save my life, but managed to more meaningfully connect leaders across our state in working together to reduce violence and build resilience against toxic division - and now I know my way around a cookie table!

Laura G., Director of Programs: This year I was reminded of how it is really the small things that hold us together in community and as a nation—even when things are hard. I’ve seen that in our work, where leaders who have much to disagree over join each other in belly laughs over dog pics. And I’ve seen that in my community, where after a very hard year for many neighbors, we banded together to throw our most epic block party yet. 

Tristiaña H., Sr. Manager of Public Engagement: I have effectively become a thesaurus for words like multipartial, resilience, and bridging. Probably because I’m still not 100% sure what they actually mean.

Emily H., Senior State Program Officer, Pennsylvania: Met the goodest dogs of Erie at the SeaWolves’ Bark at the Park Night. 🐶⚾️Plus, I got to introduce their humans to the Resilient States Project — a total win-win!

Krystal J., Program Manager: This year, millennials taught this old Generation X bureaucrat how to loosen up a bit, try new things, and start with showing empathy and grace. While I’m still not comfortable in the “gray”, unshallow,  and sometimes yet undefined space we find ourselves in, it feels good to know I have a great team figuring it out with me!  

Isaiah K., Program Associate: This year, I learned that the hunger for civil dialogue, specifically at the college level, is extremely high. We hosted two dinner conversations at two prominent Texas universities, and the college students were some of our most enthusiastic attendees. This reminded me more than ever that we need to make a concerted effort to work with students more often, but also amplify their experiences.

Michelle M., Accounting Manager: This year, a big old tree fell on the home I share with my daughter and disrupted my life for many months. I kinda already knew how incredibly generous, patient and thoughtful my coworkers were before I navigated through this but now I really know. I am grateful that my affinity for all things numbers can support the amazing work we're doing across our country.

Joe M., Texas State Lead: I have played a role in giving people hope in the midst of a very polarized political environment. Through multiple roundtable conversations throughout the state, participants have learned the value of not making assumptions about a person based on their political affiliation. 

Nealin P., Executive Director: Around this time of year we burn a candle at dinner and say something we’re grateful for. It started when my dad passed away and we shared what we were grateful for that he gave us. This year, my daughter said “I’m grateful for mommy’s work to bring people together.” It meant a lot because my work is often the reason I am too busy to play.  

Saadia Q., Senior Officer Community Engagement: I learned that hosting a dinner, connecting and laughing over good food is actually peacebuilding!

Maxine R., Program Manager: It’s been a busy year of working with college students and administrators to build trust and belonging through crises. Higher education is under a magnifying glass of scrutiny right now, but I get to see the leaders working everyday to forge common ground amidst the swirl.

Louis R., National Senior Advisor: This year I tried to be useful where it mattered most. I helped the team sort through hard questions, stress-test ideas, and keep our work aligned when things got complicated

Justin R., Strategic Operations Manager: I’ve started a new job with a great team, doing good work that benefits our country. You guys are incredible and it’s an honor to work with you.