Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2025) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 44
44
( 2025 )
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Choice Properties invests in its people and culture
S
imonic Chea started
working at Choice
Properties four years ago
as an accountant, then
transferred to the Toronto-based
real estate investment trust’s
finance department. But Chea’s
career focus started to change
after he joined, and then led, the
company’s diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI) committee, and
now he has a new position as
human resources specialist, DEI
and culture.
“They created this role and
offered it to me,” says Chea, who
now oversees three committees:
DEI, social, and health and
wellness, as well as the implementation of DEI training for
all staff. “The idea is to foster an
inclusive work environment that
makes folks feel valued, and their
differences seen as strengths.”
It was an opportunity Chea
didn’t see coming. “I never
thought something like this would
be possible, given my finance
background,” he says. “The fact
that they gave me this opportunity
shows me how much they believe
in their people, which for me is
the most important part of any
organization, so I’m very grateful.”
Chea’s role also includes working to enhance the adoption of
what the Choice team refers to as
“Blue Culture,” which is based on
a study that defines management
cultures by colour, with blue associated with communication and
teamwork. “It encourages all our
colleagues to be authentic, build
trust and make connections,” he
says.
“We pride ourselves on our
culture,” says Erin Johnston,
senior vice-president of finance
and soon-to-be chief financial
officer (effective March 2025). “We
invest in team-building activities,
as well as in motivational speakers
and mentorship programs. And
every quarter we host a national
town hall to celebrate our people’s
achievements across the country.”
“Throughout my career, I
have been given meaningful
growth opportunities. I want
to pay it forward and give
my team the experience
and autonomy to learn and
develop themselves.”
— Erin Johnston
Senior Vice-President
of Finance
Employees at Choice Properties connect at the ICSC event in Toronto for marketplaces industry professionals.
Johnston is also proud of
the company’s commitment to
employee growth and its extensive
slate of formal and informal
professional development
offerings. “If you put your
hand up, you will be given new
opportunities,” she says. “We are
really committed to developing
our people.”
One example is a mentorship
program that assessed people’s
needs and matched them up with
mentors. “We received amazing
feedback on that,” Johnston says.
“And I make sure to offer informal
mentoring as well. I meet with
people on other teams once a
month, and so do our COO and
our CEO.”
