BackPocket Wins 2025 Maya Culture Award for Redefining Agency Life

We built BackPocket to prove that agency life could feel different — that creativity and culture can thrive side by side. This month, that vision was recognized: BackPocket has been named a 2025 Maya Culture Award winner, celebrating organizations that create workplaces where people truly flourish.

Unlike traditional awards, the Maya Culture Award is based entirely on anonymous employee feedback, making this honor especially meaningful. It tells us our people feel what we’ve worked so hard to build.

“We wanted to create a place where creativity thrives, clients feel supported, and employees feel valued every day,” says Rene Ryan, COO and Co-founder. “Winning this award shows that we’re living those values.”

Building an Agency Where People Come First

After decades inside big agencies, Co-founders Joe Stella and Rene Ryan launched BackPocket to bring joy, agility, and humanity back into the creative process.

At BackPocket, culture isn’t a side project; it’s the business model. By replacing layers of account management with senior-level expertise, the team stays nimble, personal, and connected.

“Culture is not an afterthought — it’s the foundation,” says Joe Stella, CEO and Co-founder. “When you prioritize people, breakthrough work follows.”

Where Mission and Creativity Meet

BackPocket partners with purpose-driven organizations like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Library Association, American Association for Respiratory Care, and Oceantic Network — delivering everything from content strategy and brand design to digital marketing, video, and AI-powered storytelling.

The agency also leads innovation with AI in Your BackPocket, an in-house program creating brand-specific chatbots and avatars that help nonprofits and associations engage members and donors.

Why This Award Matters

For a young agency, the Maya Culture Award is more than recognition — it’s proof that you can build a thriving business without sacrificing empathy, flexibility, or joy. It’s confirmation that a healthy culture drives better work  and happier people.

“Our team’s honesty and heart are what earned this,” Ryan said. “This award belongs to them.”