10 years at IDENTOS: highlights & memories from the team

As we celebrate a decade of innovation and growth at IDENTOS Inc. , it’s the perfect time to look back and reflect on the memorable moments that have shaped our journey. From our early days of exploring new technologies and expanding our horizons across North America and Europe, to the close-knit team culture that has fostered both professional and personal development, each year has brought its own unique experiences. Here, we share some cherished memories from the IDENTOS team, highlighting the milestones, adventures, and camaraderie that have defined our first ten years together.

2014

most of all I remember the process and specifically the day when we decided that our company would be called IDENTOS! Finding/deciding on a name felt like searching for a 'needle in a haystack' and we found the needle!

Going to Germany and learning about the hardware/card reader. – Alec Laws , Chief Technology Officer

There was a lot of firsts when I joined the company! We began looking at payments industry and smart card technology ... which had us at conferences across North America and Europe. But most of all I remember the process and specifically the day when we decided that our company would be called IDENTOS! Finding/deciding on a name felt like searching for a 'needle in a haystack' and we found the needle! – Mike Cook , CEO

2016

lunch outings with the team in Chinatown and Kensington market. It was great to hangout as a group so frequently! We went to a place we called "Smelly Carpets" way more often than you'd expect!

We were still a very small group in 2016. We successfully delivered our first commercialized version of Encryption as a Service (EaaS) while simultaneously delivering the first use case for EaaS, Agent+ to general availability. – Brion Muldoon , Chief Operating Officer

From starting with the IDENTOS team but working at Spoke: lunch outings with the team in Chinatown and Kensington market. It was great to hangout as a group so frequently! We went to a place we called "Smelly Carpets" way more often than you'd expect!

When I officially started working for IDENTOS: building the Agent+ solution. It was an exciting project to tackle, and one of the first solutions we built from scratch. It was very cool to see it all come together! – Lauren Dewar , Lead Designer

Workouts in the park near our Bridgman office with a couple teammates during our lunch hour. – Jessika Chabot, R.Ac. , Marketing Communications Manager

2017

My first day where James basically spent the whole day helping me locally set up the projects we had at the time, and debugging a new issue that came up every hour. – Brandon Tan , Software Architect

2018

Getting to work on a chat program and get paid for it!

Moving from the Bridgman office to 559 College Street in Little Italy was a win for me because we were now only four blocks from my home. Amazingly, things got even better in 2019 with our move to the CHIN building - only two blocks from home! – Joe Mayer , Chief Relationship Officer ?

Getting to work on a chat program and get paid for it! – Shane Fright , Principal Architect, Operations, Client Solutions & DevOps

2019

We moved offices shortly after I joined! The couch came with us :) We then named our new meeting rooms after Toronto neighbourhoods.

I remember I thought it was a cool thing that the culture team organized fitness challenges where we would all see who could do the longest plank or wall sit. It was a great way to get out of your chair as well as build team camaraderie! – Tamsyn Ballantyne , Designer

We moved offices shortly after I joined! The couch came with us :) We then named our new meeting rooms after Toronto neighbourhoods. – Vanessa Chan, Senior Manager, Project & Client Delivery

2020

Working alongside everyone to launch the PDIAA program! – Tetyana Krysa , Senior Product Manager

Trustsphere Usability Testing. – Krystal Hartman , Business Intelligence

2021

I can't forget my first day at the office and meeting everyone for the first time, after a couple of years of working on the other side of the world.

First using some technology: Kubernetes, Jenkins, writing automation suite, json api, drawing C4 diagram. – Hanfei Qu , Software Developer

Christmas party at Amsterdam Brewery. – Raja Shekar K. , QA Lead

I can't forget my first day at the office and meeting everyone for the first time, after a couple of years of working on the other side of the world. – Gbenga Tofade , Software Architect

2022

Coming from a very rigid structure, the people, flexibility and "human-ness" really stood out!

Sales Summit in Spring 2023, getting to come out and meet everyone in person for the first time! – Jason Owens , VP, Western Canada

Just coming into IDENTOS as we were beginning the process of working with Ontario Health and watching that relationship take shape. Inspiring to watch the collective team work and develop that key relationship. – Shawn Heeley , SVP, Customer Operations

A core memory for sure is working with Shane when I started and really appreciating having such an attentive, organized and supportive leader ! It was a great intro into the company culture and the general vibe of encouraging growth and development in our roles here. – Holly Hilts , Front End Software Developer

Coming from a very rigid structure, the people, flexibility and "human-ness" really stood out! I joined a team of amazing people who truly cared about each other, and you could see it every single day. – Purvaja Sekar , Director, People Operations

It is definitely the easy going attitude of everyone at IDENTOS regardless of the seniority or the position. – Nalinda S. , Software Architect

The 2022 Christmas party because I joined late 2022 and I loved how everyone was together and talking and having fun... told me everything I needed to know about the culture. – Elvis Vesly , Software Delivery Manager

2023

My first day. It was a snow storm but I was so excited to meet people in person, it took me three hours to get home but 10/10 would do it again.

Having the IDENTOS team plan and set up an event to visit the first art gallery I've participated in! I appreciate the team's support so much! – Jennifer Huynh , UX/UI Designer

The first impression on my first day was everyone is so welcoming with a nice, sweet smile because I was bit nervous + excited about the 1st physical day at office. That's a sweetest memory I had :) – Hashini Abeygunasekara , QA Engineer ?

I felt really welcomed on my first day at IDENTOS. I was nervous starting a new job in a new industry and the folks I met in person on my first day really helped ease my nerves!? – Rowena Fonseka , Application Support Engineer

The 2023 cruise party was an absolute blast! It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, indulge in delicious food and drinks and exchange invaluable insights and information. – VIjay Kumar Reddy Kadapala , QA Engineer

Someday we'll look back and say 2023 was the year we started the IDV project. – Patricia Wiebe , Director, Product Management

My first day. It was a snow storm but I was so excited to meet people in person, it took me three hours to get home but 10/10 would do it again. – Dan Chugani, Technical Operations Manager

2024

The warm and kind welcome I received from the entire company.

Getting to meet my new team members and co-workers in person at the new downtown office for the first time! – Olivia Cesta , Junior Platform Engineer (Intern)

The warm and kind welcome I received from the entire company. – Nick Green, Director of Engineering

As we look ahead to the future, we carry these cherished memories with us, united by the incredible journey we've shared at IDENTOS. #IDENTOS10