Written by Carolyn McCormack, Chief People & Brand Officer, ONB
3 minutes read time.
This week in Toronto, I was incredibly proud to be seated among other outstanding workplaces at the Waterstone MacKay Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures Summit to accept the recognition of Opportunities NB (ONB) as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2025. Coincidentally, the honour came just a day before ONB marked its eleventh anniversary on April 1. We are especially proud to be one of only three Atlantic Canada–based organizations to receive this honour. This is also ONB’s third time being recognized, which is a testament to the strength of our culture and the focus we place on it. As a public sector organization, we have built a winning culture without a large budget, demonstrating what’s possible through commitment and creativity.
After 10 years with ONB, it means a lot to me to be part of a team that truly believes culture is more than words, but rather how we show up for each other every day. Our people, their shared commitment to doing great work, and a focus on living ONB’s core values – professionalism, integrity, and excellence – have seen us drive results for the betterment of the province we love. That is what makes ONB a great place to work.
I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand how strong leadership and engaged employees shape a workplace where people can thrive. Culture doesn’t happen by accident – it’s built every day by the people who bring our values to life. I am passionate about HR and leadership and strongly believe that caring for each other’s personal and professional growth and success is at the heart of building teams that shine.
While I am proud of the recognition our workplace culture has received, as Chief People & Brand Officer, I believe our work is never finished. Maintaining a culture of excellence requires constant attention, intentional leadership, and a willingness to challenge the status quo so that we continue to grow, evolve, and lead by example.
This year, we are implementing our first formal culture strategy. While culture has always been a priority, we developed a dedicated strategy to guide it. Recognizing the opportunity to be more intentional, we took a deep dive into our culture, engaging employees through focus groups to gather insights from across the team. Planning included a comprehensive review of our current state, and extensive employee engagement and feedback to ensure diverse perspectives were reflected. The strategy has now been rolled out organization-wide and work is underway to bring it to life. It focuses on strengthening a culture where employees feel connected across teams and regions, celebrated for their contributions, and united by a shared sense of purpose in supporting New Brunswick’s economic growth.
My drive for continuous improvement and relentless effort to adhere to high standards and values is core for me at ONB. I truly care about each person in the organization. I call or meet face-to-face whenever possible, take time to get to know people and learn something about them, and make a point of walking the floors to connect. Those meaningful connections, whether virtual or in person, feed me.
Great workplaces are built every day, in everyday actions. They need to be nurtured and cared for, and we can’t be complacent. Pride in what we’ve built will never replace our commitment to continually raising the bar. If I work somewhere, I am all in, and I want it to be the very best it can be.
From day one in my role, I have been committed to building a stronger organization by strengthening internal and leadership communications, encouraging collaboration across teams, creating innovative learning and development opportunities and developing meaningful pathways for career growth.
We may be small, but we make things happen. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but even more energized by the work ahead.
Learn more about ONB and keep an eye on career opportunities with us at https://onbcanada.ca/businesses/about-us/work-with-us/.
