PROACT: Designing for Trust in Genetic Risk Communication. A Q&A with Dr. Allison Kurian and Dr. Jennifer Caswell-Jin

How do you know if you're making a difference? When you measure what matters, your story writes itself. Every meaningful strategy starts with listening — to people, to communities, to data. But listening is only the beginning. The real question is: What will you do with what you hear?

As we welcome the New Year, our team got together to reflect and set our intention for how we want to make the world better in 2026. So, in the spirit of bold declarations, here’s our team’s list of the big, complex, high-impact challenges we’re especially hungry to work on next.

We surveyed high school and college students about how they’re using AI—and what they’re feeling is more complex than just simple adoption or resistance.

Storytelling isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s how ideas take root, how missions gain momentum, and how brands become movements. In this post, we share four ways storytelling transforms your brand from message to meaning.

Behind every successful student is a strong community. At Merit, we’ve seen firsthand how a little structured support can change the course of a student’s life. When students gain access to resources, mentorship, and guidance,  their pathways transform and the ripple effect strengthens entire communities.

At Merit, strategy is where curiosity meets intention. It’s about discovering the deeper truths behind human behavior, sparking ideas that drive real change, and building pathways to greater health, equity, and hope. In this post, we share five best practices that guide us — and can guide anyone aiming to create meaningful impact.

As 2024 wraps up, we’re reflecting on a year filled with purpose, partnerships, and progress. From professional milestones to personal moments of joy, here’s our top ten list of moments that stood out.

Discover the Impact of The WISDOM Study: A Q&A with Steffanie Goodman

Leading a positive impact organization requires a deep understanding of your audience to guide your strategy effectively. Let's explore how insightful audience research fosters connection, creates meaningful engagement, and unites your community. 

We’re excited to team up with iMentor to empower students through educational and professional opportunities. iMentor leads the way in building powerful mentoring relationships that help students succeed.  Our partnership centers on a key initiative: Uncovering insights into the prospective mentor journey (motivations, challenges, and aspirations).

As we reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we recognize the enduring impact of his vision and leadership. Dr. King's legacy is both a beacon of hope and a call to action. His dedication to justice and equality continues to inspire us.

K-12 STEM education is more crucial than ever. In an era where STEM job demand far surpasses the number of qualified graduates, many students still lack access to such education.

Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook… We love tucking into a carefully crafted compilation of words, sentences, paragraphs, and stories. Here are top titles our team recommends to inspire you in 2024!

You are not your audience…and neither are we. Empathy is still a superpower that fuels great design. As culture, trends, and people constantly evolve, so must our work. At Merit, we use a human-centered design approach to build movements.

As we embark on this exciting new year, our team at Merit is buzzing with anticipation! 🚀 Here's a rundown of some things we're especially looking forward to this year.