Case Study: Launching a Digital Badging System to Increase Engagement at a Nonprofit Healthcare Provider

Company

This organization is a leading nonprofit healthcare provider and advocate, serving millions of individuals across the United States. It offers a broad range of services including reproductive and sexual health care, education, and outreach.

Project Overview

To enhance employee engagement and recognize professional development efforts, I led the design and rollout of a Digital Badging System for a large nonprofit healthcare organization. The goal was to create a visible, accessible way for employees to showcase their participation in internal initiatives—such as DEI training and mentorship opportunities—by earning digital badges displayed on intranet profiles and in email signatures. This initiative aimed to increase visibility for often-overlooked contributions, boost motivation, and foster a culture of learning and recognition. The project involved cross-functional collaboration with the Learning & Development Council, IT, and internal communications teams to define badge criteria, design the visual system, and launch a company-wide awareness campaign.

The Challenge

The Learning & Development (L&D) team faced a common but critical challenge: how to recognize employee growth and drive visibility for internal development efforts in a meaningful, scalable way. We had existing training programs, DEI initiatives, and employee resource groups, but participation data showed engagement plateauing. Additionally, there was no centralized method for employees to showcase their involvement or accomplishments outside of annual reviews.

The solution needed to be low-lift, cross-functional, and compatible with our internal systems—while also providing public recognition and motivating further engagement.

My Role

  1. Developed and pitched the digital badging concept to leadership, securing buy-in from key stakeholders.

  2. Collaborated with the L&D Council to define badge criteria aligned with internal initiatives and values.

  3. Led cross-functional coordination with IT and internal communications to design, implement, and promote the system.

  4. Created rollout strategy and messaging to drive company-wide awareness and engagement.

I proposed a Digital Badging System that would allow employees to earn recognition for participating in professional development programs, DEI trainings, leadership initiatives, and more. These badges would be displayed on their intranet profile pages and optionally added to email signatures, increasing both visibility and motivation.

To bring this idea to life, I:

  • Pitched the concept to the L&D Council and gained executive buy-in

  • Collaborated with L&D Council members and leadership to define which achievements and milestones would be badge-worthy

  • Designed a badge visual system that felt modern, inclusive, and in line with the organization’s branding

  • Partnered with IT and intranet administrators to ensure technical feasibility

  • Created internal communications and a rollout campaign to educate employees and managers on how to earn, view, and use the badges

The messaging emphasized recognition, growth, and community—and framed the program as a way to celebrate people doing impactful, often invisible work.

The Solution

Results & Impact

Leadership approved the final badge framework and supported the launch of the Digital Badging Program:

  1. Launched with four initial badge categories: DEI Contributor, L&D Champion, Mentorship Participant, and Leadership Series Graduate

  2. Employee feedback highlighted increased motivation, pride, and engagement

  3. Training registration volume increased, indicating a rise in interest in L&D offerings

  4. Leadership praised the program as a lightweight, effective way to build culture and visibility

  5. Sparked broader conversations around employee recognition, professional development, and internal equity

Summary

This project introduced a scalable, employee-centered recognition system that aligned with the organization’s values and learning culture. By leveraging digital badges, the program provided a new way to highlight individual contributions and encourage continued engagement in professional development. Cross-functional collaboration and strategic communication were key to its successful implementation and adoption.