Wrapping up another successful award-winning year at Visa Canada

2021 was a year of new challenges at Visa, but also one full of opportunities and celebration. We accomplished some incredible business wins and received numerous awards for the success of our people and our brand. We stayed connected with our colleagues through virtual events and activities, and even managed to get together in-person for fundraising activities like the Weekend to Conquer Cancer walk. We doubled down on supporting our community through local and global initiatives, like the She’s Next Grant Program. We joined the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR), which supports diverse populations through mentorship opportunities and job training. We stayed focused on leadership development – 15 per cent of Visa Canada’s employees were either promoted or made a lateral move within Visa last year.

The awards we earned this year are a true recognition of these achievements. Below are some highlights.

1. Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women: Stacey Madge
   Visa Canada’s President and Country Manager Stacey Madge was named on the prestigious Women’s Executive Network (WXN) list of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Stacey’s outstanding achievements earned her the WXN CIBC Executive Leaders Award, which recognizes women who exemplify what it means to be a great leader while building confidence in, and championing others.
   
   
   
2. 2021 Best Workplaces in Canada
   For the third year in a row, Visa was recognized as one of the highest-rated workplaces across the country, ranking at #10 (up from #12 the previous year). Visa prides itself on giving employees the opportunity to shape the Canadian payments landscape, invest in their career growth and be part of an inclusive and diverse workplace.
   
   
   
3. GTA Top 100 Employer
   Visa Canada was named one of Greater Toronto Area’s Top 100 Employers for the fourth year in a row. We were recognized for our connected culture (we proudly hosted 50+ virtual employee events like cooking classes and fitness challenges during the pandemic), our focus on leadership development, and the ways in which we support our community.
   
   
   
4. Ipsos 10 Most Influential Brands in Canada
   For the tenth consecutive year, Visa was named one of Canada’s top 10 most influential brands, placing at #7 (up from #10 last year). The Ipsos study examines five key dimensions that drive the most influential brands in Canada: trustworthiness, presence, being leading edge, corporate citizenship and engagement. We’re proud to be amongst companies like Google, Netflix and Microsoft as one of Canada’s most trusted brands, and the only payments company on the list.
   
   
   
5. Best Workplaces Managed by Women
   We’re an organization made up of many strong women leaders, and this award is one we’re proud to receive for the fourth year in a row. The majority of our executives, and more than half of our Canadian Leadership Team are women, working towards our mission to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure digital payment network.
   
   
   
6. Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness
   Visa Canada has a number of initiatives in place that encourage employee mental health and wellness, including virtual sessions with a nutritionist and wellness consultant, virtual yoga and Pilates classes. With an increased focus on mental wellness this year, we recently expanded our annual wellness benefit that can go towards fitness equipment, a personal trainer, hobbies and self-improvement courses or home office needs. We’re excited to see the impact our efforts have made on our employees in the past year.
   
   
   
7. Best Workplaces for Inclusion
   Advancing diversity and inclusion is paramount for Visa Canada, reinforced through our commitment to equity in the workplace and opportunities for support, development and growth. We continually examine our organization to ensure that we are creating an environment where all employees can thrive. We’re excited to be recognized by Great Place to Work for being an inclusive workplace, where each employee feels welcome and valued.
   
   
   
8. Best Workplaces for Women
   We’re proud to be on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces for Women by Great Place to Work. Visa Canada is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, and at least 90% of our female employees agree that people are treated fairly in the workplace, regardless of their gender.
   
   
   
9. Best Workplaces in Technology
   We were thrilled to be named one of Canada’s Best Workplaces in Technology for the fourth year in a row. Our dedication to innovation drives the rapid growth of connected commerce and fuels the dream of a more seamless payment future for everyone, everywhere, and our employees are the driving force behind this global payments transformation.
   
   
   
10. Gold (Customer Experience at TIFF): Canadian Marketing Association
    Visa was named a Gold winner by the Canadian Marketing Association in the category of ‘Customer Experience, Financial’ for the Visa Skyline Drive-In at TIFF 2020. In response to safety restrictions put in place due to COVID-19, Visa set out to transform the theatre experience in 2020, with a unique venue fully operated by local small businesses. It hosted 12 screenings for 4,000 guests over 10 days.
    
    
    
11. Gold (Events & Festivals): Sponsorship Marketing Council Canada
    Visa Canada received Gold in the Events & Festivals category for its best-in-class activation at TIFF 2020 by Sponsorship Marketing Council Canada (SMCC). Visa was recognized for pivoting our sponsorship activation in the midst of a pandemic, delivering a safe, elevated experience for our guests, and for our support of Small Businesses – both at our Visa Skyline Drive-In and through social media amplification.
    
    
    
12. Best Workplaces for Giving Back
    This year, Visa was recognized for all the ways in which we give back to our community. Every single employee at Visa Canada participated in our matching donation program this year. Visa employees also engaged in other community and charitable efforts, such as Volunteer Month activities, winter coat drives and the Weekend to Conquer Cancer walk, in which a third of the office participated this year.
    
    
    
13. Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance
    As a leader in payments technology, Visa is proud to be named one of the Best Workplaces in Financial Services by Great Place to Work. The list of Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance is based on direct feedback from our employees.
    
    
14. Best Workplaces in Ontario
    For the second year in a row, Visa Canada was named one of the Best Workplaces in Ontario by Great Place to Work. This award is based on direct feedback from our hardworking employees.