Infinite Legacy is a nonprofit organ procurement organization serving nearly 10 million people across Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. Through partnerships with 68 hospitals and eight transplant centers, the organization works to increase organ, eye, and tissue donation while supporting donor families and honoring the generosity of donors. When emerging research highlighted the connection between behavioral traits and authorization success, Infinite Legacy saw an opportunity to strengthen both its people and its mission.

As part of DeGarmo's research involving 38 OPOs, Infinite Legacy explored how the behavioral styles of Donation Advocates influence donor family authorization outcomes. The organization viewed the research as an opportunity to better understand employees' strengths and use those insights to inform hiring, training, and professional development decisions. This work became especially valuable as Infinite Legacy navigated the complexities of a recent merger and sought to align talent practices across a larger organization.

According to Shelagh Hodson, Director of Family Services, the partnership provided a framework for making more informed talent decisions and helping employees better understand their own interpersonal strengths. Rather than focusing solely on performance outcomes, the organization used assessment insights to support personal growth and long-term development.

In early 2024, DeGarmo facilitated specialized training for Infinite Legacy's Family Services Organ team, focusing on how interpersonal style influences conversations with donor families. Each team member received a personalized development plan based on their assessment results, and staff participated in additional professional development opportunities featuring industry experts and thought leaders. The training was well received and helped create a shared understanding of how behavioral strengths contribute to successful family interactions.

Infinite Legacy also expanded its use of assessment data into the hiring process. Candidates applying for Donation Advocate positions complete a brief behavioral assessment that helps evaluate alignment with the role's success profile. While the assessment is used alongside interviews and traditional qualifications, it provides hiring leaders with additional insight when identifying individuals who may thrive in family authorization conversations.

The combination of targeted research, ongoing development, and refined hiring practices produced measurable results. According to Shelagh Hodson, Infinite Legacy's authorization rates increased by 9% between 2023 and 2024, supported by several factors including the organization's partnership with DeGarmo. The results reinforced the value of investing in people and ensuring employees have the skills, coaching, and support necessary to succeed in one of healthcare's most challenging and meaningful professions.

The impact was immediate. During a three-month study period, LifeShare increased its non-registered DCD authorization rate from 49% to 65%, representing a 25% improvement over historical performance. According to Kim Gillespie, Director of Hospital Development & Family Services, the increase came from having Donation Advocates lead more DCD authorization conversations. Beyond the numbers, the initiative demonstrated how talent science can improve both family support and donation outcomes, ultimately helping more lives be saved through transplantation.

Infinite Legacy continues to demonstrate how thoughtful talent management can strengthen mission-driven work. By combining behavioral insights, employee development, and strategic hiring practices, the organization has created a foundation for continued growth and improved outcomes. As the organ donation landscape evolves, Infinite Legacy's experience highlights the importance of investing in the people who guide families through some of life's most important decisions—ultimately helping more lives be saved and restored through transplantation.