FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2026
Contact: Candice Lee | info@nuruinternational.org
WASHINGTON, DC — Nuru has been named a 2026 Best Nonprofit Workplace by Best Companies Group, a trusted leader in workplace culture research and recognition.
“Being named a Best Nonprofit Workplace is a meaningful acknowledgment of the standards we hold ourselves to as an organization. This recognition reflects our commitment to building a workplace grounded in clarity, accountability, and shared purpose, particularly given the complex environments in which our teams operate.” – Aerie Changala, Nuru CEO
The annual Best Nonprofit Workplaces award highlights organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to creating supportive, mission-aligned work environments. Nuru’s selection reflects its continued investment in staff wellbeing, professional growth, and collaboration across its global collective.
The award process includes a comprehensive evaluation of organizational policies and practices, alongside an anonymous employee survey assessing leadership trust, communication, workload, professional development, and alignment with mission.
“This award matters because it reflects how people experience Nuru day to day. Culture lives in the small moments, like how we celebrate achievements, how we navigate challenges, and how we show up for one another across countries and teams. We’re proud to be recognized for creating a place where people feel connected to their work and to each other.” – Emily McLaughlin, Nuru Chief Culture Officer
Nuru’s workplace culture is shaped by its locally-led operating model and long-term presence in rural communities across East and West Africa. With teams working across multiple countries and contexts, Nuru prioritizes thoughtful leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and systems that support staff effectiveness. This latest recognition is a celebration of Nuru’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internal systems, support staff across geographies, and foster a workplace where teams are properly equipped to do meaningful work.
“This award reflects the everyday experience we aim to create for our staff. We focus on listening, supporting growth, and caring for people as whole individuals—so they feel seen, supported, and able to bring their best to the work and to one another.” – Candice Lee, Nuru People & Culture Manager
To learn more about Nuru and career opportunities, visit www.nuruinternational.org. For more information about the Best Companies Group program, visit the Best Companies Group website.
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Nuru is a global collective that enables inclusive and sustainable prosperity by identifying communities at the stability tipping point, strengthening rural livelihoods and market systems, and fostering stabilizing connections that repair social fabric and pave a pathway to peace.
Nuru envisions a world without cycles of unjust poverty, where resilience and hope are cultivated in the most marginalized communities. The Nuru Collective has local organizations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. Learn more by visiting www.nuruinternational.org.