People and Culture updates
Building a Thriving and Modern Workforce
At ISANS, our commitment to building a thriving, modern workforce is rooted in connection, inclusion, and continuous evolution. Central to this is our skilled and diverse team, one that collectively speaks over 73 languages and brings rich lived experience as immigrants. This depth of experience is not only a defining characteristic of ISANS but also invaluable in supporting newcomers, enabling our staff to connect with clients in meaningful, authentic, and culturally responsive ways.
A key reflection of this strong organizational culture is employee voice and engagement. In the most recent ISANS Employee Engagement Survey, over 80% of staff participated, an exceptional reflection of trust, openness, and shared accountability. This high level of participation reinforces that our people are invested in shaping a workplace where everyone can succeed.
To further strengthen engagement and connection, the People & Culture (P&C) team introduced quarterly P&C Connecting People calls. These sessions complement our monthly staff meetings by creating space to share updates, offer practical tools and refresher training, and respond directly to staff questions. By inviting input in advance, we ensure we are addressing the most relevant topics. Strong attendance and positive feedback demonstrate the value of these calls in building rapport and deepening trust across teams.
Our monthly staff meeting brings together staff from across the organization to celebrate team successes and to share stories that highlight the impact of our work as we support newcomers. Together we grow as we learn from the work of our peers and share best practices as we continue to evolve our service delivery and client engagement models.
Collaboration and celebration were brought to life through the second annual ISANS Inspires event, delivered in partnership with our Communications team. This event showcased the diversity, talent, and dedication of our workforce. Activities such as the global pin map, connection-focused games, a photo booth, and performances by our staff choir reflected the vibrant and inclusive culture that defines ISANS. We celebrated service milestones and presented the inaugural ISANS Inspires Award to an individual whose over 25 years of service exemplifies commitment to our mission. The exceptional attendance, spoke to the pride and engagement of our team.
Alongside these initiatives, we advanced several important projects that will shape our future, including the development of an Anti-Racism Action Plan and the implementation of a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS). These efforts will strengthen our ability to foster inclusion, drive innovation, and enhance the overall employee experience.
While these initiatives represent meaningful progress, our central priority remains unchanged: the wellbeing and engagement of our people. We are committed to creating spaces where employees feel heard, valued, and empowered, environments that support not just collaboration, but genuine human connection.
As we continue to evolve, we are proud of the culture we are building together, one where diversity is celebrated as a strength, lived experience is recognized as expertise, and our people are equipped to make a meaningful impact. Guided by both strategic priorities and employee insight, engagement and connectivity will remain at the heart of the People & Culture mandate as we shape a modern, inclusive, and high-performing workforce.