Inside ConniCon 2025: Mindset, momentum, and what comes next
Earlier this year, Connico team members from across the country gathered for ConniCon 2025, our annual retreat, and a dedicated time to connect, reflect, and strengthen the culture that defines us. The conversations and team-building activities reaffirmed our commitment to supporting each other and delivering meaningful work.
To capture the experience, we spoke with Senior Cost Specialist Jeff Bowman, Analyst 2 Muhilan Subramanian, and Cost Specialist Tarang Kumar about what stood out to them this year.
Redefining how we think
Everyone walked away from ConniCon with something a little different, but one theme that rose to the top was the power of the right mindset. Whether it was about anticipation, adaptability, or embracing growth, Jeff, Muhilan, and Tarang highlighted how attitude shapes impact.
“We had conversations about upcoming challenges, and this reminded me that preparation is about mindset, staying adaptable, and encouraging innovation,” Tarang said.
Jeff shared a similar takeaway during team breakout sessions that focused on how Connico can do better. His group explored how systems and processes could evolve to support stronger outcomes.
“It was significant that everyone’s input was valued equally. A lot of great ideas were generated in the conversation,” Jeff said.
A standout moment for Muhilan came during a hands-on exercise led by longtime Connico friend John Barrett, where two analyst teams were challenged to pass a ball in a sequence, completing the task faster each round.
“At first, it seemed impossible, but after multiple tries and discussions on how we could be more efficient, we got it,” Muhilan said. “I understood that failures are just stepping stones to success. Maintaining a positive attitude while taking on this challenge and understanding that failure is temporary was truly eye-opening.”
Carrying our people-first approach to 2026
Connico’s commitment to employee well-being shows up in practical ways: intentional hiring to work-life balance, mentorship, and certification support to encourage professional growth, and thoughtful guidance as team members transition toward retirement. That people-first mindset strengthens both our culture and the work we deliver.
At the retreat, Jeff kept coming back to that balance of caring for people while delivering strong outcomes: “It’s rare today that a company considers its employees’ well-being in step with bringing successful outcomes to clients. I’m proud to see Connico leading by example.”
Muhilan returned from ConniCon energized by the power of collaboration and resilience.
“ConniCon was all about sharing various thoughts and experiences to develop ‘The Connico Way’ of doing things, from navigating through challenges to celebrating our victories together,” Muhilan said.
For Tarang, the brainstorming sessions offered clarity on refining processes and setting priorities for the year ahead.
“The team came together and brainstormed some of the challenges we face day-to-day and how we can improve them. Having this discussion reaffirmed how we aim for continuous improvement to provide the best for our clients,” Tarang said.
Grounded in the values that guide us
Throughout the retreat, Connico’s core values of Respect, Resiliency, Integrity, Innovation, Inclusivity, and Thoughtfulness showed up in sessions, conversations between, and problem-solving challenges. People across different departments had to work together to think through common obstacles like workload and have candid discussions about their experiences and how to support others.
“During the retreat, Sri said that ‘Being true to our core values should be part of everything we do.’ They drive successful outcomes on projects and for each other,” Jeff shared.
“We spent time revisiting our core values, and that exercise reminded me how they were developed and why it’s important to live them out every day,” Tarang said. These sessions meaningfully refocused him toward process improvement across projects and relationships, revealing how core values can serve as practical tools that make complex situations clearer and more manageable.
For Muhilan, the retreat reinforced that these values are integral to how we work together and with our clients. “After all the fun and excitement, my biggest takeaway is the importance of our core values. They’re the foundation of how we grow and interact with one another. They drive us to build long-lasting relationships.”
Closing thoughts
ConniCon 2025 was more than a retreat; it was a reminder of who we are and where we’re going. Beyond the sessions, the meaningful personal connections made throughout the retreat continue to resonate. This time spent together strengthened our belief in our mission, shaped new ideas for the year ahead, and reinforced our culture, enabling our team to thrive.
More than anything, ConniCon reaffirmed why Connico continues to strive to be the best place to work. We return to our work with renewed energy, deeper connection, and a stronger commitment to living our values – every day, in every project, with every client.
