Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2025) - Flipbook - Page 17
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SAFE SOFTWARE
CANADA'S TOP SMALL & MEDIUM EMPLOYERS (2025)
Don Murray, CEO at Surrey, B.C.-based Safe Software, presents during the organization’s ‘Peak of Data Integration’ conference in Germany.
SMEs are a great place to launch a career
There are plenty of advantages to starting your career at a smaller company
S
ize can be inhibiting when you’re
just starting your career. While
large employers have a lot to offer,
it’s easy to be overlooked in a big
hierarchical structure. That where
Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers
(2025) have an edge. The close-knit culture
in SMEs fosters a sense of community and
provides a more supportive environment.
“As a senior person, you can see how
valuable your people are very quickly,”
says Richard Yerema, executive editor at
Mediacorp Canada, which runs the
competition. “It not like they get lost in the
weeds – you know their names, you know
what they’re going to do, and you have
those conversations about the individual,
not a cog.”
Besides having more direct access to
leadership, Cassie Van Tol-Walker, senior
human resources manager, at Safe
Software in Surrey, B.C., says starting your
career at a SME offers opportunities for
hands-on experience and meaningful
work. As well, employees often wear
multiple hats, allowing them to develop a
broader skill set and gain exposure to
different areas of the business early on.
“At companies like Safe Software, you’re
an integral part of a team where your
contributions are visible and impactful,”
says Van Tol-Walker. “The pace of learning
is dynamic, with plenty of opportunities to
take on new challenges and build
confidence in your abilities. Additionally,
the culture in smaller organizations tends
to be personal and collaborative, fostering
strong relationships and mentorship
opportunities that can shape the trajectory
of a career.”
Safe Software is also very welcoming to
students. Each semester, the company
hires a cohort of co-op students to join
various teams, including its software
development, marketing and IT opera-
tions teams.
“We invest heavily in career development, offering learning opportunities,
skill-building initiatives, and clear career
progression paths,” says Van Tol-Walker.
“Employees don’t just have jobs at Safe
– they build careers here, with the
flexibility to explore new skills, move
between roles and take on leadership
opportunities. We’ve seen countless
employees grow from junior positions into
senior and leadership roles, and we take
pride in fostering that kind of internal
mobility.”
– Diane Jermyn
