What an Award-Winning Workplace Culture Actually Looks Like

People ask what makes Deltek special. And honestly, there's a lot you could point to. But if you spend any time here, it really comes back to the people—how they show up for each other, how ideas get shared, how people grow and bring others along with them.

So, when Forbes named Deltek one of America's Best Employers for Company Culture 2026, my first reaction was gratitude. The ranking is based on real employee feedback—survey responses evaluated across fairness, respect, passion for the work, and the freedom to take initiative and bring new ideas forward. It's the kind of recognition you can only earn, and that means something.

Built in Everyday Moments

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what culture actually is—and what it takes to sustain one worth being proud of. My honest view is that culture lives in the small moments far more than the big ones. It's the manager who follows up after a hard week. The teammate who jumps in without being asked. The leader who makes space for an idea that doesn't fit the existing roadmap. Those moments add up—and they're only possible when the organization has made a real commitment to the people it asks to show up every day.

At Deltek, that means building an environment where people can do their best work—flexible work schedules, volunteer time off, Deltek Project Nation Days, and continuous learning opportunities that meet people where they are in their careers. It's a deliberate investment in the whole person, not just the professional. Marlon Yander, Senior Director of Community, Impact & Inclusion, summed it up well:

"We're a global company that retains a local, intimate feel where you can truly have an impact through connection with your teammates, within the marketplace, and across our communities."

Hearing that reflected back matters. It tells me the investment is landing the way it's intended.

Growing Together, Across Every Level

One of my personal priorities has always been making sure that development opportunities reach everyone. Early in your career, mid-career, long-tenured leader—the expectation here is that growth is ongoing, and the organization has a responsibility to support it consistently across roles, levels, and geographies.

We're a global team, and I know firsthand that good intentions don't automatically translate across time zones. Sales Communications Manager, Sam Brightman, put into words what I hope more people across Deltek experience:

"What I love most about Deltek's culture is how they create growth opportunities for everyone – whether you're an individual contributor or a long-time leader, they are focused on elevating us to the next level. Even though we're spread all over the world, I always feel connected to my team members — and that is rare in a virtual work environment. That's what makes it such a great place to work."

Building that kind of connection across a distributed team doesn't happen on its own. It takes leaders who make it a priority and people who choose to show up for each other.

Culture That Delivers on Its Word

One of the things I pay the most attention to is what new employees experience when they first arrive. The hiring process can paint a vivid picture—and then Day One either confirms it or doesn't. That moment of truth is something I take personally.

Maggie Trott, a Marketing Transformation Director in the UK, joined us last year, and her first few months here told me something I was glad to hear:

"Since joining Deltek in September 2025, the culture people spoke so highly about during the interview process has absolutely lived up to expectations. From day one, I've felt genuinely welcomed and supported by colleagues who are collaborative, approachable, and invested in each other's success."

That's culture doing what it's supposed to do—carrying people forward rather than leaving them to figure it out on their own. That's the standard we hold ourselves to.

Engaged Teams, Better Outcomes

Here's something I believe deeply: a strong workplace culture and strong business performance go hand in hand. At Deltek, we serve organizations doing some of the most complex, high-stakes project work in the world. Our customers need partners who are innovative, engaged, and genuinely invested in their success. That level of commitment only comes from people who feel it themselves—people who believe in where they work and what they're building. Fina Shipley, a Senior Director of Customer Learning in the Philippines, made that connection directly:

"What I love about Deltek is that we invest in employee-centered practices that enable us to deliver best-in-class customer experiences."

That connection, between how we treat our people and how our people show up for customers, is something I think about a lot. It's one of the reasons this recognition means as much as it does.

Thank You Team Deltek

When I look back at what it took to earn a place on this list, what I see is thousands of individual choices made by our Deltek employees — to be generous with their time, to support their colleagues, and to bring their full selves to work. Culture gets built that way, and it takes everyone contributing to it every day.

To Team Deltek — this recognition is yours. I'm proud of what we've built, and I'm excited about where we're headed together.