Believers. Dreamers. Doers.
We’re a band of pragmatic idealists, believers, dreamers, questioners, and makers—united by a relentless pursuit of making the world better.
And we do it all with a sharp mind, a full heart, and just the right amount of rebellious spirit.
OUR PEOPLE
Leadership
Bonnie Zimmerman
Co-founder, Head of Strategy
Bonnie is a strategist and branding expert dedicated to helping positive-impact organizations transform the world. With a background in data, insights, and engineering, she brings a research-driven, human-centered approach to uncovering deep audience truths and creating meaningful brand experiences. For over 14 years, she’s used her expertise to shift thinking and behavior, working on initiatives that democratize STEM education, improve healthcare access, and promote climate resilience. Passionate about the power of strategy to drive change, Bonnie is committed to using her skills to build a more just and humane world.
Matt Bassett
Co-founder, Head of Design
Matt sees design as more than aesthetics—it’s a force for meaningful change. With 25 years in the creative world, he’s done it all: branding, campaigns, digital platforms, UX, film, motion, and more. His expertise lies in not just creating, but in building and leading teams, ensuring creative sparks have the time and space to ignite. A champion of human-centered design, Matt knows that great design is great communication—and when done right, it has the power to shift perspectives, move hearts, and drive real impact. At Merit, he combines the power of design and strategy to craft experiences that connect, inspire, and drive meaningful impact.
Christine Dormeier
Operations & Strategy Lead
Christine is a brand and marketing strategist with a deep passion for human-centered design and its power to create meaningful impact. She leads strategy teams in uncovering insights and crafting campaigns that help positive-impact organizations scale their influence. With experience spanning nonprofits, education, spirituality, economic development, and poverty alleviation, she thrives on translating complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies.
Beyond her work at Merit, Christine is a dedicated soil health advocate and steward of the land. She and her husband built a farmstead to grow their own food and strengthen their local food system—living out the values of sustainability and community that fuel her work every day.
Sara Huneke
Strategy & Creative Director
Sara believes that language and storytelling are powerful tools in creating meaningful social change. As a multidisciplinary strategist, writer, and creative director, Sara helps organizations clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how they communicate with precision. Trained in cultural and linguistic anthropology, Sara uses ethnographic research and applied social theory to uncover the often unspoken insights that drive beliefs, behaviors, and culture. Over the last 20 years, Sara has partnered with organizations and individuals in public health, healthtech, media, education, and global philanthropy. A passionate advocate for empathy and cross-functional collaboration, Sara believes that a healthy process is critical to a successful outcome.
Team
The best ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we build our teams with purpose—matching the right minds to each project based on audience needs, creative challenge, and strategic goals.
As a Women-Owned Small Business, we champion human-centered design and design thinking to craft work that resonates and drives impact. From writers, strategists, and directors to designers, animators, and creative leads, our team can do it all. Whether shaping bold campaigns, designing seamless digital experiences, or bringing stories to life through motion and film, we are collaborators, innovators, and problem solvers—committed to making meaningful work that moves people.
JOIN US
Strategist
Location: NYC, Austin, or Remote
Open Roles
Strategists who love the doing as much as the thinking—this one’s for you. The Strategist is the engine of a Merit engagement. You’re curious, empathetic, and you turn that into action: designing research, running interviews, reading reports, analyzing data, measuring success, and surfacing the insight that changes the conversation.
You’ll report to our Operations & Strategy Lead, who shapes the work, and partner closely with our principal and creative leadership on the thinking itself.
We’re opening this role as a 90-day contract engagement, with the intent to convert to a full-time salaried position if we both feel it’s the right fit.
Sound like a situation you’d thrive in? Read the full description and how to apply here.