Reflections ... APM Pillar Showcase - Canada's Strength in Unity

Est Read Time: 4 minutes

In recent weeks I have seen our Canada team in action. Whether it be performance reviews, platinum outage reviews, safety kaizens, or periodic challenges that pop up, I have been impressed with how our Canada team shows up. I wanted to learn more about how they work together, and I wanted to share that with our APM. So we asked three of our Canadian teammates – Amanda Szwender, HR Manager; Martin Laverdiere, Safety Manager; & Craig Mosier, Division Manager – to share their thoughts on how they leverage our culture pillars to create strength in unity.

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At the heart of the Canadian team’s success is a powerful combination: a commitment to collaboration and a shared sense of accountability (two of our APM pillars!). As Amanda Szwender puts it, success comes from leaning on teammates, sharing knowledge, and treating mistakes as lessons, not failures. Whether it’s helping with benefit inquiries or navigating legal questions, Amanda is known for going the extra mile to ensure people feel heard and respected. She praises the team’s ability to communicate clearly during the busy outage seasons and notes that remote employees stay connected through recurring meetings. Team members regularly assist each other, even when the task falls outside their formal job description – a reflection of the unspoken rule that “that’s not my job” simply doesn’t apply here.

Martin Laverdiere echoes this team-first culture, emphasizing that when one person struggles, the rest of the team steps in to help – because “when someone fails, we all fail.” He shares how learning together happens naturally through open and transparent communication, especially during the monthly APM Canada meetings where team members share struggles and gain perspective. This approach builds understanding across roles and fosters continuous learning that can’t be taught in a classroom. Even during challenges, the team remains adaptable, confident in their ability to adjust and succeed. Recognition also plays a vital role in maintaining this positive dynamic. Martin notes how leadership regularly shows appreciation through heartfelt thanks and branded SWAG giveaways, reinforcing that every contribution matters.

Craig Mosier sees collaboration as essential to daily operations, especially given that most of the Canadian team works side-by-side in the same office. This proximity fosters strong relationships and open conversations – something Craig intentionally encourages by promoting phone calls over emails to build rapport. He discourages ego-driven behavior and reinforces that everyone is a leader, regardless of their role. Team celebrations, like birthday lunches, social gatherings, and team-building events, offer opportunities to connect beyond the work. Craig also highlights the importance of recognizing those who go above and beyond, including a special shout-out to Susan Morton, who has been managing the job specialist responsibilities for both eastern and western Canada solo since June 2024. Her dedication, along with the contributions of all team members (Ben Storie, Gary Vanderloo, Derek Steele, Amanda Szwender, Susan Morton, Yogurd Yu, Teri Carlson, Martin Laverdiere, Frank Hernandez, Michelle Gauthier, Natasha Fraser-Monroe, Linda Lam, Zeljko Gnjatic, Adam Nikirk, Caitlin Jenkins, and Cherie Kleparchuk) is a testament to the pride and passion that define this team.

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Thank you to all our Canada team for working together as one to model our APM culture.

-Jake