Embracing Diversity
Embracing Diversity
​​​​​​​DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING (DI&B) MATTERS
​​​​​​​DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING (DI&B) MATTERS
Here at Northbridge Financial, we are focusing on how we can promote an inclusive workplace and celebrate diversity, so all our people feel like they belong.
Building diverse talent
We're updating our recruitment and talent strategies to attract and grow diverse talent in our organization.
Creating conversations
We're taking the time to listen, learn, and create honest conversations to understand our people's unique lived experiences.
Raising Awareness
We're educating ourselves and sharing reputable resources on how to counter unconscious bias and promote fair behaviour.
WE CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
WE CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
We're always looking for ways to embrace differences in our workplace.
​​​​​​​One of the things we do is encourage our employees to share interesting facts, history and personal stories about the holidays that mean most to them – and everyone joins them in commemorating these special occasions.
​​​​​​​One of the things we do is encourage our employees to share interesting facts, history and personal stories about the holidays that mean most to them – and everyone joins them in commemorating these special occasions.
OUR TARGETED PARTNERSHIPS
OUR TARGETED PARTNERSHIPS
Pathways to Education focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Its award winning program helps youth in low-income communities by providing the resources and network of support to graduate from high school and build a foundation for a successful future.
We provide paid internship opportunities to Pathways alumni through our Pathways Internship and Pathways Scholarship programs that help cultivate valuable skills in a workplace setting and establish a network of professional contacts.
We provide paid internship opportunities to Pathways alumni through our Pathways Internship and Pathways Scholarship programs that help cultivate valuable skills in a workplace setting and establish a network of professional contacts.
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a trusted advisor for diversity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces.
We are a proud employee partner of CCDI, with access to thousands of reliable resources to support our search for sustainable solutions, further our knowledge, and ensure we are taking the right steps in our journey. Through CCDI, our employees have access to newsletters, webinars, and an online library of Canadian-specific and international resources related to diversity and inclusion.
We are a proud employee partner of CCDI, with access to thousands of reliable resources to support our search for sustainable solutions, further our knowledge, and ensure we are taking the right steps in our journey. Through CCDI, our employees have access to newsletters, webinars, and an online library of Canadian-specific and international resources related to diversity and inclusion.
Black Youth Helpline (BYH) is dedicated to supporting Canada's underrepresented backgrounds and under-resourced communities, primarily youth of colour, and support them on pathways to success by serving as a bridge to high quality, professional mental health services.
Given that youth mental health is more fragile now than ever, our donation to BYH funds one of their core programs that focuses on enhancing access to mental health and illness care.
Given that youth mental health is more fragile now than ever, our donation to BYH funds one of their core programs that focuses on enhancing access to mental health and illness care.
Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) aims to build a cultural understanding and improve the lives of Indigenous Peoples by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.
Our donation funds the DWF Legacy School Program, which provides schools with free toolkits and resources to teach students about the true history of Indigenous Peoples, residential schools, and reconciliation.
Our donation funds the DWF Legacy School Program, which provides schools with free toolkits and resources to teach students about the true history of Indigenous Peoples, residential schools, and reconciliation.
Thrive Youth (formerly DAREarts) focuses on closing the gap in leadership development programs for marginalized children and youth. They use arts-based learning experiences to help students create a turning point in their lives when they need it most.
We're Thrive Youth's Champion Partner and support a variety of initiatives, such as All the Arts, First Roots, and Youth Leadership Institute. We've had an executive board presence with them for the past 25 years.
We're Thrive Youth's Champion Partner and support a variety of initiatives, such as All the Arts, First Roots, and Youth Leadership Institute. We've had an executive board presence with them for the past 25 years.
United Way Centraide focuses on moving people from poverty to possibility, helping kids reach their potential by providing educational, recreational, family and guidance support, and building strong and healthy communities.
We've teamed up with United Way to support three marginalized youth-driven organizations: Delta Family Resource Centre, Umoja Operation Compassion Society of British Columbia, and Boys & Girls Clubs - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton Area.
We've teamed up with United Way to support three marginalized youth-driven organizations: Delta Family Resource Centre, Umoja Operation Compassion Society of British Columbia, and Boys & Girls Clubs - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton Area.
OUR PEOPLE'S VOICES
OUR PEOPLE'S VOICES
"Diversity and inclusion to me is about respecting and accepting others no matter what their differences might be and creating a safe place for people to freely be themselves, express their thoughts, ideas and have a sense of belonging. It is so important for us to have difficult conversations, so that others can see we are all people no matter what race, colour, religious beliefs or orientation. We need to break down those barriers and preconceived notions to get to know people before judging them. What a boring world we would live in if it wasn't for all our beautiful differences!"
Jackie Alexander, Underwriting Director - Fed Connect
"Diversity and inclusion to me is about seeing different people around the workplace bring in different perspectives, lead to better problem-solving, have open dialogues, and promote creativity. Here at Northbridge, I really feel like it is a reality. We continue to work towards fostering the behaviours that help us provide everyone with an equal opportunity to contribute, influence and grow. As an outcome, I can see that our teams have a sense of purpose at work and a sense of community - all of which fuel our special culture."
Raghda Fouad, EPMO Director - Strategic Project Management
"Coming from a multi-faith household, diversity and inclusion to me is about equality, where every individual is treated the same regardless of race, religion, and socio-economic class. We still witness the ignorant hate crimes that occur in our society within various communities. I am hopeful for a positive change to eliminate such systemic racism and inequalities that are prevalent and want to ensure our future generations do not experience such hatefulness and are able to openly celebrate their cultures, religions, and uniqueness in a safe space."
Zeenat Taki, Business Delivery Lead
"Diversity and inclusion to me is about accepting each other's differences and making it a safe place for our future generations. When we left Vietnam to start a new life in Canada, like many other visible minorities, acceptance was hard to find and the thought that my kids might go through the same struggles as they grow up, troubles me. But with the Diversity and Inclusion movement happening around the world - a sign of hope is showing. We need to do our part to make sure that our younger generations do not feel like an outcast."
Vu Xuan Nguyen, Manager - Underwriting System Support
"Diversity and Inclusion to me is about empowering people by respecting their differences so they feel safe enough to offer their opinions, and ideas. Inclusivity became so important to me at a very young age. I often felt that acceptance was hard to come by in my early school years. Being different wasn't always welcomed with open arms, but our differences are part of what makes us so unique. Celebrating those differences allows us to learn and grow as individuals, foster a workplace that mimics our diverse country and builds a sense of belonging and trust at all levels of the organization."
Livleen Rai, Underwriting Specialist - Corporate Underwriting
"To me, diversity and inclusion begins with empathy. When we practice empathy and actively listen to those around us, we begin to understand that everyone's lived experience has intrinsic value. It is when we honour different ways of knowing and being - and place them on equal footing to our own, that we see the impact of people's innate gifts and talents in our workplace and personal lives."
Jainyme DaSilveira, Senior Claims Field Representative
"To me, diversity and inclusion is about making everyone feel like they belong. As a leader of the Talent Acquisition team, I see great examples of progress when it comes to people being celebrated for their differences. I also recognize that there's still much more that we can do. Whenever it is through targeted school partnerships or updating our hiring processes so they're more inclusive - we're committed to making a difference. I believe we all have to do our part - and I'm humbled that I have a chance to make an impact in my role as we strive to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace."
Kristen McLain, Manager - Talent Acquisition
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
