As VP People & Culture at Thesis, I genuinely care about the kind of company we’re building. Not just what we deliver for our clients, but how we all work together in our fully remote world and how we contribute to the communities around us. Culture and giving back aren’t separate initiatives for us - they’re part of the same mindset. How we treat each other internally has a direct impact on how we behave externally with our clients, partners, and the wider community.
Culture isn’t something that you write down once and move on from. It’s not a tick box exercise or values that live on a slide deck, it’s continually built in the everyday moments by how people communicate with and treat each other, how decisions are made across the business, and how we respond when something doesn’t go to plan. At Thesis, we try to keep things simple:
We want people to feel supported but also challenged. That balance matters. It creates an environment where people can do good work, speak openly, and continue to grow, both individually and as a team.
Operating as a fully remote organization makes culture even more important. Without shared office space, culture needs to be carried through clarity, consistency, and communication. We have been told more than once by clients that our internal communication is stronger than they expected, particularly given our remote setup. That feedback matters, because it reinforces that intentional communication builds trust, both internally and externally.
The work we do is deeply rooted in Higher Education, and our culture reflects the values of the sector. Integrity and trust sit at the heart of how we work with our clients. We aim to be transparent, empathetic, and honest even when conversations are difficult. We are student-centered in our thinking, always mindful that the work we support ultimately impacts learners, educators, and institutions.
Many of our people have spent years and in some cases decades working in or alongside the HE sector. That experience brings perspective, credibility, passion and a genuine commitment to doing the work well. It also means we understand the pressures our clients face and approach our partnerships with care and respect.
We don’t see giving back as a tick box to fulfill our corporate social responsibility. The communities we operate in play a real role in our success, and contributing back is just the right thing to do, and we enjoy it! Our focus is often local. Supporting organisations, causes, and initiatives close to home allow us to see the impact and build meaningful connections. It also keeps our efforts grounded and authentic. Last summer, teams came together to build children’s bikes as a fun bonding activity, which were then donated to a children’s hospice, school, charity, and children’s centre. It was practical, hands-on, and had a clear outcome of something tangible that made a difference. Last month, some of our teams came together in Canada and we partnered with a company called WholeHearted whose mission also aligns well with our values. They create hands-on opportunities for team building which go beyond donations and allow people to engage meaningfully with a number of causes. We selected gifts for children in need and took part in a green gifting workshop inspired by the Japanese tradition of Furoshiki. Using recyclable, repurposed, and reused materials, we wrapped each gift with care, intention and sustainability in mind. The beautifully wrapped gifts were then donated to Eva's Initiative. Eva’s consists of four sites located across Toronto. Every day, they support over 200 youth aged 16 – 24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They provide shelter, transitional housing, health, and well-being programs.
We also support charitable giving through YuLife initiatives, which enables our team to contribute to causes that matter to them personally. This approach recognises that giving back looks different for everyone and that empowerment and choice are really important. Giving back isn’t only about donations. It’s about time, effort, and showing up when it matters. When our people are involved, the impact is felt both in the community and within the team itself. We also have an annual volunteer day and love hearing from our employees the different ways they have chosen to spend their time and “give back” to causes close to their hearts.
I believe that people want to work somewhere that feels aligned with their personal values. When culture is healthy and the company makes a genuine effort to contribute positively, it creates a sense of pride and belonging. Community initiatives give our team a chance to connect outside of day-to-day work and focus on something bigger. Those shared experiences tend to strengthen relationships, which then carry back into how we work together every day.
At Thesis, we’re focused on building something sustainable. That means making choices that reflect who we are, not just what is convenient at the moment. Strong culture and genuine community involvement help keep us grounded as we grow. They remind us that success isn’t just about results, it’s also about responsibility, trust, and long-term impact.
We may not always get everything right, and that’s ok. What matters is that we stay intentional, listen carefully, and continue to learn along the way.
At Thesis, how we work and how we give back are closely connected. Both matter, and both shape the kind of company we’re building, which is one that we are proud of and one that reflects the values of the people and sector that we serve.
I lead our global People & Culture function, spanning employee experience, talent acquisition, learning and development, DEI and reward, compensation and benefits. With a background in Financial Services, I have strong HR expertise with a genuine passion for people and appreciation for the pace of technological change. As an MMU alumni, I’m also a committed advocate for enhancing the student experience.
What I value most about Thesis SM is the passion our people bring and the positive impact we have on students. Our culture is genuinely collaborative, with innovation and teamwork at its core, which makes the work both meaningful and rewarding. I’m equally proud of our strong commitment to employee wellbeing, diversity, and creating positive, lasting impact.
We have a relentless focus on continuous improvement and never stand still. Being ranked 31st globally in Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces is a powerful reflection of the culture we’ve built and our excellent employee retention.