Looking back on a memorable year at connectFirst

By Kendra Holland, CCE, ICD.D , Interim CEO

2022 has been an incredible year here at connectFirst. From marking the one-year anniversary of our brand to implementing new software solutions that help our teams better serve Albertans, there’s so much for us all to celebrate—and even more to look forward to.?

One of the things that makes connectFirst such a special place to work is the fact that our employees are so dedicated and passionate about what they do. In fact, we welcomed 256 new employees to the connectFirst family this year, and many of our current employees have been with us for 15 years or more. This is a testament to the strong culture and sense of community that we have built here.

In October, we had the opportunity to bring our entire team together for the first time at our inaugural all-employee event. It was so wonderful to see all of our employees come together and celebrate everything that we have accomplished as a team.

In addition to these successes, we also restructured this year. We’re always thinking about how we can best support our members, and while this has been a challenging process, I am confident it will pay off in the long run—both for our teams and the Albertans we serve.??

Looking into 2023, I am excited at what’s ahead for connectFirst. We’ll be launching an accelerator program for leaders within the organization that will equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to empower their teams. After a year of listening and learning from our employees, we’ll be focusing on improving our work in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. And, we’ll be looking at how we can expand the tools and technologies we implemented this year into other areas of the business, always with the focus of creating even better experiences for our members.

At connectFirst, we believe that it's not just the products that we offer that make us stand out, but rather how we help people through the monumental times in their lives. Whether it's a happy event or a challenging one, we’re here to support our members and make them feel seen as more than just a number.

As we approach the holidays, I would like to remind everyone that during this holiday season—and particularly during these challenging times—it's important to take a breath and step back. Because it's not about having the perfect tree or the perfect holiday celebration. It's about connecting with people and helping others. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please don't hesitate to reach out to your financial advisors or to the team at connectFirst. We are here for you.?

On behalf of all of us at connectFirst, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.