Our organization is novel. We are an independent non-profit created by a California statute that recognized the value of independent science to support decisions. We see diversity, equity and inclusion as central to our organizational philosophy and culture and imperative to our mission. Learn more here. Connecting government, science, and communities is hard—and the reason for our existence. We work across traditional boundaries to build trust. We empower broad participation in policy and management decisions with useful, reliable science. Our position—independent of academia and the state but linked to both—is a new model for the future of science-informed policy. We reflect on our progress, and incorporate diverse perspectives to improve our work. We lay a pathway for science, and walk down it together.