Dear Friends, Supporters, and Partners,
As I prepare to conclude my time as CEO of Destination Imagination at the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to share my appreciation with our incredible community of learners, donors, volunteers, staff, and partners. It has been an honor to serve this organization and to witness firsthand the dedication and passion that drive DI’s mission forward every year.
Over the past eight years, DI has navigated remarkable change and growth. We relocated Global Finals from Knoxville, TN, to Kansas City, MO; sold our headquarters in Cherry Hill, NJ; and launched new programs like SkillFire and the Team Film Challenge. We also said goodbye to several talented DIHQ team members whose contributions helped shape our journey. Leading through these transitions has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I am deeply grateful for that.
The future of DI is bright. Realizing that future will require us to embrace new ideas, lean into the Creative Process, and let go of “we’ve always done it this way.” Our mission—to advance creativity as an essential skill for innovating, collaborating, and driving positive impact—has never been more important. And the work ahead will ask all of us to model the very skills we nurture in young people: creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
This past year has given DI the opportunity to strengthen and restructure our programs so the organization can continue to fulfill its mission for years to come. As I step away, I wish you the very best in continuing the work of equipping young people with the skills and mindset to ignite the power of creativity in themselves and in others.
With appreciation,
Michele Tuck-Ponder
CEO, Destination Imagination, Inc.
