VivaScoop - December 2025

Angie Poveda
Feb 4
4 min read

2025 Year-End Reflection: Progress, People, and Purpose

Welcome to 2026!! I hope you all had a great holiday season and managed to spend some quality time with friends and loved ones.

Given the time of the year it feels important to pause and reflect on the year behind us and a look at what lies ahead. 2025 was defined by steady progress, along with a heavy dose of moments that challenged us. We delivered some very meaningful work for our clients, navigated team changes, and made intentional decisions about where to focus our energy. Most importantly, we continued building Vivacity with purpose, grounded in collaboration, trust, and our core values.

Clients, Awards, and Milestones

In 2025, we continued our work with the City of Kelowna, renewing a three-year agreement for VivaCitadel and deepening our collaboration through the Design Partners Program. 2025 also marked VivaCitadel’s one-year anniversary, during which the platform processed over 1,800 citizen requests! In addition, Pitt Meadows successfully launched VivaCitadel and began processing requests live to the public, while the City of Nelson joined us for a comprehensive Information Management and IT Assessment. We also moved closer to the next major chapter with VivaCitadel, the launch of our Freedom of Information request solution!

We also partnered with Simpcw First Nation on community connectivity initiatives, including Phase 1 improvements to cell service and fibre capacity, and worked with Simpcw Resources Group on digital collaboration and SharePoint enablement. Emergent Solutions became our VivaPKI client, expanding our work in Public Key Infrastructure and securing critical network infrastructure.

2025 also brought recognition: Vivacity Technologies was a finalist for the Kamloops Business Excellence Awards in Innovation and Inclusive Leadership, and Best of Kamloops honours with two Silver awards and one Bronze. We’re proud of what we’ve built together and none of this is possible without the amazing support we receive from clients, vendors and yourself.

Challenges That Shaped Us!

2025 wasn’t without its challenges, and it’s important to acknowledge the moments that tested us as much as the ones that brought us success. Midway through a particularly busy stretch, we lost a developer, which put immediate pressure on both the team and our timelines. That, however, led us to welcoming both Max and Fernando onto the team. This shift was an exciting step forward, but one that required patience and extra effort as we onboarded new team members during an already demanding period.

We also had to navigate external influences, including challenges with immigration processes that caused one of our critical team members to leave the country . These shifts added complexity to planning and required us to adapt quickly, rethink resourcing, and redistribute responsibilities across the team.

None of this was easy, but what stood out was how the team responded. The VivaTeam stepped up, supported one another, and took on new responsibilities without hesitation. Thank you!!

Team Beyond the Workplace

One thing we were intentional about in 2025 was making space for team building, even during busy periods. Throughout the year, we made a point of creating moments to connect outside the office. Whether it was team lunches, getting outdoors for activities like disc golf, or simply taking time to celebrate milestones together, these moments helped us reset, laugh, and reconnect as people, not just colleagues.

These activities weren’t about competition or performance; they were about communication and building relationships that carry back into our day-to-day work. In a year that required adaptability and resilience, those shared experiences played a big role in keeping our culture strong.

Focus On What Matters the Most

One of the most important decisions we made in 2025 was choosing focus. Rather than trying to do more, we chose to do what we do best, better. That meant narrowing our consulting work, being intentional about the projects we take on, and doubling down on areas where we can deliver the most value for our clients.

At the same time, our work in 2025 reinforced something I strongly believe in: the best solutions are built with clients. Through initiatives like our Design Partners Program, legislative team sessions, and ongoing collaboration, our municipal partners became true co-creators. Their feedback directly shaped VivaCitadel’s evolution into the Freedom of Information request realm, informing design decisions, workflows, and priorities based on real-world use.

This combination of focus and co-creation changed how we work. It led to clearer outcomes, stronger partnerships, and better technology. More importantly, it ensured that what we’re building is practical, usable, and genuinely helpful for the teams who rely on it every day.

As we kick-on with 2026, there is a huge amount to be excited about, including our team growth, expanding deployments of VivaCitadel, and our continued work with our wonderful clients. Given this, we look forward to keeping you updated through our ever evolving VivaScoop.

Thanks for tuning in and have a great 2026!!