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Boulder, Colorado-based agency WorkInProgress invests in giving back to the community through educational programs, job training for the disabled and encouraging employee-founded initiatives. The shop, which works with clients including truTV, Nescafe and Domino’s, also partners with Boulder Valley School District’s School to Work Alliance Program that assists students with disabilities in making the transition from school to employment.

As part of this partnership, WorkInProgress provides an opportunity for a student to job shadow for six to eight weeks. Finally, to address the lack of diversity in the advertising industry, WIP launched Opening Shot, which helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds attend a shoot to get hired at an advertising agency. 

"WIP doesn’t have a board of directors," said Josh Shelton, creative director. "There’s no holding company. No CEO. No president. Instead, it has five partners who are very openly trying to do not just the right thing but to build the best thing. What they’ve created is flatter, more diplomatic and more transparent than one would believe an agency can be. And while it's people that ultimately make a place special—this one is no exception—policies and structure don’t hurt.”

Agency employees have also launched various initiatives of their own, such as an interview series hosted by copywriter Weedney Byron that helps integrate new hires into the agency. Head of Video Production Molly Schaaf launched WIP’s employee council, which identifies and executes initiatives that benefit agency staffers.

“The WIP culture is unlike any agency culture I’ve experienced. Everyone only wants to make the absolute best work, but while we do that, we also respect each other’s time and personal needs,” said Morgan Collins, director of account and strategy. 

Maia Vines covers marketing and business news as an Ad Age intern. She previously covered consumer markets, such as retail and restaurants.