Shifting Gears: Back in the Saddle Full-Time

June 27, 2025
Posted in Business, Community, Creative Strategy
27 Jun 2025
Business, Community, Creative Strategy, Design
June 27, 2025 Lori P. O'Hara

Shifting Gears: Back in the Saddle Full-Time

Sometimes the best journeys take you exactly where you need to be—even when the route includes a meaningful detour.

After spending time in-house with an incredible nonprofit providing vital mental health services to marginalized youth, families, and adults, I’ve made the decision to shift gears and return to Design5sixty4 full-time.

A Ride Worth Taking

Working directly within a mission-driven organization has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Being embedded in the daily reality of an organization fighting for mental health equity—seeing firsthand how design and strategy can amplify life-changing work—deepened my understanding of what nonprofits truly need from their creative partners.

The opportunity to serve alongside people dedicating their lives to supporting some of our community’s most vulnerable populations was both humbling and inspiring. Every project wasn’t just about better messaging or cleaner design—it was about helping more people access the support they desperately need.

Time to Change Course

But here’s what I learned during this chapter: my heart keeps pulling me back to the trail I’ve been carving with Design5sixty4. There’s something powerful about being able to ride alongside multiple organizations, helping each navigate their unique creative challenges while staying true to their missions.

The truth is, I’ve been missing the deep partnership work with my existing clients—those organizations that have trusted me to help tell their stories and amplify their impact. And I’m energized by the opportunity to take on new riding partners who are ready to take their missions to places they’ve never been.

What’s Next

I’m grateful for every mile of this journey. The nonprofit experience reinforced why I’m so passionate about working with purpose-driven organizations—and gave me even deeper insight into how to serve them better.

Now, with renewed focus and expanded perspective, I’m excited to get back to what I do best: riding alongside organizations that are changing the world, one story at a time.

Ready to see where we can take your mission? Let’s Ride.

Have a story you’d like to share in The Spin? I love hearing about the journeys that bring purpose-driven organizations to new destinations.