FEATURED EXCELLENCE AWARDEE
Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.
“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”
Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Canada’s Safest Employer for
Young Workers
EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Canada’s Safest Employer for
Young Workers
www.gipi.com
Green Infrastructure Partners
info@gipi.com
416 633 9670
949 Wilson Avenue, Toronto ON M3K 1G2
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Canada’s Safest Employer for Young Workers
Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.
Marty Hiemstra
General Manager
Marty Hiemstra has served as the General Manager of Mercer Forestry Services since February 2020. With most of his experience falling within timber harvesting and transportation, Mr. Hiemstra has over 25 years of experience in the forest industry.
Mr. Hiemstra received his Forest Technology diploma from the College of New Caledonia, followed by his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and Executive MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia. Mr. Hiemstra has also been a registered professional forester with the Association of BC Forest Professionals since 1998.
General Manager
Marty Hiemstra
facebook.com/GreenInfrastructurePartners
@ruytongirlsschool
Marty Hiemstra
Leadership
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
Sandra Higgins
Safety Co-ordinator
Leadership
Sandra Higgins started in the forest industry in the early 1980s as a level 3 first aid and a bucker’s helper in the Okanagan. In 1986, she moved to the north coast as a contact hand bucker as well as first aid at a logging camp. First aid duties included assisting work safe investigations. In 1994, Higgins returned to the Okanagan as a hand bucker and equipment operator. She became safety coordinator and first aid for an Okanagan harvesting operation in 2017, and by 2019, her role was focused on safety in the field and working on continual safe improvement plans. Now, in 2023, Higgins is safety coordinator for Mercer Forestry Services, working with employees and management to continually improve our safety culture.
Safety Co-ordinator
Sandra Higgins
At Johnvince Foods, our unwavering commitment to health and safety is the cornerstone of our corporate culture. Under the exemplary leadership of our management team, we prioritize the well-being of our employees and stakeholders above all else. Our dedication to creating a safe work environment sets the standard for our entire organization.
Through rigorous training, risk assessments, and proactive safety measures, our team ensures that every aspect of our operations is conducted with the utmost care and attention to detail. We continually invest in cutting-edge technology and best practices to stay at the forefront of health and safety in our industry. This commitment isn’t just a policy; it’s a promise to protect and empower our workforce, fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Health and Safety Manager
Mounir Sinno, PhD
Marty Hiemstra has served as the General Manager of Mercer Forestry Services since February 2020. With most of his experience falling within timber harvesting and transportation, Mr. Hiemstra has over 25 years of experience in the forest industry.
Mr. Hiemstra received his Forest Technology diploma from the College of New Caledonia, followed by his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and Executive MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia. Mr. Hiemstra has also been a registered professional forester with the Association of BC Forest Professionals since 1998.
General Manager
Marty Hiemstra
Marty Hiemstra has served as the General Manager of Mercer Forestry Services since February 2020. With most of his experience falling within timber harvesting and transportation, Mr. Hiemstra has over 25 years of experience in the forest industry.
Mr. Hiemstra received his Forest Technology diploma from the College of New Caledonia, followed by his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and Executive MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia. Mr. Hiemstra has also been a registered professional forester with the Association of BC Forest Professionals since 1998.
General Manager
Marty Hiemstra
@GIP_social
Marty Hiemstra
General Manager
As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls.
At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish.
Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability.
We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Mounir Sinno, PhD
Health and Safety Manager
General Manager
GIP knows it’s not just stewardship of the environment that’s critical, but also stewardship of the next generation of workers who will affect that environment. And like its ESG considerations and commitment to a greener future, GIP takes its role with young workers seriously – and the role is that of protector.
With 22 percent of its employees under 25 years of age, GIP welcomes the fresh perspective and different skillset they bring to the business – and their health and safety are a top priority. Coming aboard both as part of internship/apprentice programs and in full-time positions, young workers can be found across the company in various departments. The enthusiastic group helps create a vibrant and positive work culture and their collaborative effort with experienced professionals improves safety, workplace morale, and productivity.
Knowing young workers are statistically more likely to be injured on construction sites, adequate supervision and job-specific training and orientation are key to keeping everyone safe. It’s mandatory that all new and young workers know GIP’s HSE policies, procedures, and safe work practices. GIP provides the support necessary to succeed in all aspects of the job, including internal and external training sessions and hands-on learning. They are assigned to experienced teams who mentor young workers as part of the normal GIP practice to ensure practical knowledge-based experience is handed off to the next generation. Expanded responsibilities follow the achievement of a certain level of experience and completion of all required training, both internally and externally, confirmed by a supervisor, and young workers are strongly encouraged to stop and ask for direction when in doubt and report immediately any actual or potential hazards. Young workers’ involvement and participation are vital in identifying hazards and implementing effective control strategies to mitigate risks.
To that end, job task analyses (JTAs) are completed with the involvement of all employees performing tasks, and result in a more thorough examination of the work and potential hazards. The completed JTAs are reviewed with all affected personnel before the start of the workday, and GIP requires all employees involved in a job to review the JTA and sign it to confirm their understanding of the job tasks.
GIP strives to engage employees, and does so through the Safety Reward Program, which includes barbeques, safety standdowns, and quarterly safety nominee awards, while quarterly Safety Month initiatives enhance employee involvement and commitment to safety. GIP conducts toolbox talks with each crew to communicate weekly safety highlights and lessons learned from any incidents, ensuring employees are aware of potential hazards and how to work around them safely.
GIP believes training and mentoring young employees drives the development of a strong workforce, and results in optimum safety and productivity; in fact, ensuring young workers’ safety is paramount in achieving HSE performance goals and objectives. Young employees are a great asset to businesses of today and of tomorrow. A source of innovative ideas to help the organization grow right alongside their experience and skillsets, they have GIP’s future in their hands. Taking all reasonable precautions to ensure their safety is thus critical at all levels of the company.
Sandra Higgins
Safety Co-ordinator
Sandra Higgins started in the forest industry in the early 1980s as a level 3 first aid and a bucker’s helper in the Okanagan. In 1986, she moved to the north coast as a contact hand bucker as well as first aid at a logging camp. First aid duties included assisting work safe investigations. In 1994, Higgins returned to the Okanagan as a hand bucker and equipment operator. She became safety coordinator and first aid for an Okanagan harvesting operation in 2017, and by 2019, her role was focused on safety in the field and working on continual safe improvement plans. Now, in 2023, Higgins is safety coordinator for Mercer Forestry Services, working with employees and management to continually improve our safety culture.
Safety Co-ordinator
Sandra Higgins
Sandra Higgins
Safety Co-ordinator
Sandra Higgins started in the forest industry in the early 1980s as a level 3 first aid and a bucker’s helper in the Okanagan. In 1986, she moved to the north coast as a contact hand bucker as well as first aid at a logging camp. First aid duties included assisting work safe investigations. In 1994, Higgins returned to the Okanagan as a hand bucker and equipment operator. She became safety coordinator and first aid for an Okanagan harvesting operation in 2017, and by 2019, her role was focused on safety in the field and working on continual safe improvement plans. Now, in 2023, Higgins is safety coordinator for Mercer Forestry Services, working with employees and management to continually improve our safety culture.
Safety Co-ordinator
Sandra Higgins
Craig Thompson
Chief Technology Officer
Craig Thompson
Chief Technology Officer
Craig Thompson has spent over 21 years building and implementing technology solutions across the financial services, legal and hospitality sectors to unlock new business capabilities, drive efficiency and solve business problems. Prior to joining Brighten, Craig worked at MA Financial Group as Head of Technology across its asset management, corporate advisory and lending divisions. Craig was responsible for the development and delivery of MA’s IT strategy, transformation program and technology roadmap.
Chief Technology Officer
Craig Thompson
Craig Thompson has spent over 21 years building and implementing technology solutions across the financial services, legal and hospitality sectors to unlock new business capabilities, drive efficiency and solve business problems. Prior to joining Brighten, Craig worked at MA Financial Group as Head of Technology across its asset management, corporate advisory and lending divisions. Craig was responsible for the development and delivery of MA’s IT strategy, transformation program and technology roadmap.
Chief Technology Officer
Craig Thompson
