We help companies become better places to work.

Because the world's best companies will also be the world's best places to work.

Established
1996
See our beliefs and values.
Best workplace awards
10
See how we've been recognized.
Employees
60+
Check out our team.

To solve the problems of the future, we believe…

The best solutions are designed collaboratively.
We build more thoughtful, impactful solutions when we co-create with our clients.
Stepping back helps you leap forward.
When we take a big-picture perspective we discover a-ha moments and uncover meaningful insights.
The best solutions begin and end with empathy.
It’s easy to get caught up in a process or technology. We have a relentless focus on the human experience.
Failure is an essential part of learning.
We create safe spaces to iterate, test, and learn in order to produce the best outcomes.
Symptoms should not be confused with the root cause.
Complex problems rarely have a simple fix. We bring in design-thinking to solve big challenges.
Technology should not only be useful, but delightful.
Going beyond user experience, solutions that are engaging create all-around better outcomes.

Our purpose and values

Our purpose and values define what we stand for and guide everything we do.

We exist to help people and organizations thrive
Helping people and organizations thrive is a lived experience at Habanero. It influences the solutions we build, the experiences we create, and the relationships we have.
Always tell the truth
We tell the truth even if it’s difficult, and do what we say we’re going to do—period.
Everyone has to win
We look for the sweet-spot between what’s best for our clients, what’s best for our employees' careers, and what’s best for Habanero.
In it for the long term
We take a long-term approach to building Habanero with the intention of creating an organization that will last for generations. Helping people and organizations thrive is a complex and important enough endeavor to require life-long pursuit.
Passion for our purpose
Habanero is a place where our people are fired up about what they do and have the opportunity to bring that passion to the rest of their lives (and vice versa). We have a responsibility for ensuring that our people have great lives overall, not just great experiences while in the office.
Do great work
Everything we build has an exceptional experience, is technically excellent, focuses on the outcomes, and is created through a collaborative approach.

A globally recognized leader

Great Place To Work Institute
We’ve been ranked one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for ten years in a row!
Nielsen Norman Group
Our solutions are globally recognized, including five Nielsen Norman Group 10 Best Intranets awards.
AON Best Employer
Our 2017 employee survey results gave us Aon's top honour—Platinum Level Best Employer.

We give back

We support our employees' volunteer and fund-raising efforts by offering paid time off and donation matching. We also commit a percentage of our profits to support our communities.

Latest news and events

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Our leadership team

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Steven Fitzgerald
President
x(102)
Vancouver
Steven Fitzgerald
President
Vancouver
Steven Fitzgerald, co-founder and president of Habanero, thinks about the world of work a lot. He has spent his life examining what motivates us as human beings and how thriving organizations build successful teams.

Executive peers call Steven a thought partner. Whether challenging the status quo or providing a dose of inspiration, he's the one in the room that helps move things along when everyone else is stuck. In the sometimes abstract world of people and culture, he brings a breadth of coaching and consulting skill to help teams cut to the chase and move to something clear and actionable.

And while he's often invited into the executive boardroom or asked to be the voice of the future of work, his most remarkable and proud workplace achievement has been a 22-year-old home called Habanero—his springboard for helping people and organizations thrive.
- sfitzgerald@habaneroconsulting.com
I will measure my life’s success by the relationships I develop and the impact I have on people.
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x102
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
sfitzgerald@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Recorded webinar: COVID 19 and the employee experience
Research study: COVID-19 and the employee experience
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Ben Skelton
Vice President
x(107)
Toronto
Ben Skelton
Vice President
Toronto
Vice President Ben Skelton provides guidance and oversight to Habanero’s leadership team, ensuring Habanero’s continued success and innovation within all areas of the business. He does this through a balanced scorecard approach to management — which provides a continuous and equal focus on our company, team, and clients. Ben is also a passionate advocate of Habanero’s brand. He works to ensure that clients are proud to be associated with Habanero and that each of the solutions we create exceeds expectations.
Ben opened Habanero’s Toronto office in 2013 and continues to manage a number of Toronto-based accounts while directing the growth of Habanero’s business in Ontario.
A recognized user experience leader, Ben is a founding member of the Vancouver User Experience Group (VanUE) and creator of Habanero's User Experience Done Right! seminar series. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Simon Fraser University. Ben is an ardent traveler and plane geek whose favourite place is 38,000 feet somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.
And I don’t think my father, the inventor of Toaster Strudel, would be too pleased to hear about this.
Gretchen Wieners
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x107
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
benskelton@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Recorded webinar: It’s time to modernize your intranet.
Webinar: The role of the modern intranet in powering the new world of work
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Aaron Law
Director, Finance and Performance
x(113)
Vancouver
Aaron Law
Director, Finance and Performance
Vancouver
Director of Finance and Performance Aaron Law oversees all accounting and finance functions at Habanero, including monthly and quarterly reviews, bank account management, cash management, and forecasts. He is also responsible for establishing and maintaining accounting policies, processes, and procedures. Aaron conducts financial analysis and prepares plans and forecasts. As part of Habanero’s leadership team, he uses his financial acumen to identify opportunities for strategic growth and success.
Aaron previously served as Habanero's Controller. Prior to joining Habanero, he held financial positions at Cardiome Pharma Corp. and Intrawest ULC. Early in his career, Aaron developed his auditing and accounting skills at PwC and Smythe Ratcliffe Chartered Accountants. As a Chartered Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, Aaron sits on the board of directors and chairs the finance committee of the Kerrisdale Community Centre. He enjoys all kinds of sports, including golf, volleyball, and skiing.
- alaw@habaneroconsulting.com
It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.
Sherlock Holmes
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x113
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
alaw@habaneroconsulting.com
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Brian Edwards
Director, Products and Services
x(117)
Vancouver
Brian Edwards
Director, Products and Services
Vancouver
Director of Products and Services Brian Edwards leads, creates, and maintains the business plans and roadmaps of Habanero’s technology solutions and services. This includes developing an investment strategy for new offerings and developing partnerships that augment or complement our offerings. He also guides our strategy for bringing our services to market.
Brian has been with Habanero since 2000 and previously led Habanero’s collaboration practice. Prior to working for Habanero, he ran the corporate intranet for a Fortune 500 bank in the United States. Passionate about the impact technology can make within organizations, Brian has been recognized as a thought leader in collaboration solutions and business strategy and is a highly credited public speaker.
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.
Oscar Wilde
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x117
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
bedwards@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Webinar: Employee experience trends in Office 365
Webinar: How your intranet can impact organizational culture
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Chris Radcliffe
Digital Workplace Advisor
x(140)
Winnipeg
Chris Radcliffe
Digital Workplace Advisor
Winnipeg
Digital Workplace Advisor Chris Radcliffe brings years of senior-level consulting and client experience management to his role at Habanero. He has extensive experience in employee portals, enterprise social, information architecture design, and governance. Chris manages some of Habanero’s key client relationships, as well as providing mentorship and support to other Habanero account managers. He has been with Habanero since 2000.
A thought-leader for Habanero, Chris often speaks on how social computing trends are impacting strategies for organizational communication, innovation, and knowledge management. He has an active interest in helping organizations use technology to improve their workplaces and is always looking for opportunities to grow Habanero’s core competencies. Chris holds Yammer Power User and Administrator certifications to support the development of Habanero customers’ community manager and social consulting services. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen's University.
There’s always a way to make it work!
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x140
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
cradcliffe@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Free guide: How to roll out Microsoft Teams
The future of knowledge management looks smarter with Microsoft’s Project Cortex
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Christina Ferancik
Product Manager
x(104)
Vancouver
Christina Ferancik
Product Manager
Vancouver
Product Manager Christina Ferancik drives the direction and implementation of Habanero’s Go Intranet. Through collaborating and understanding client needs, she builds out clear vision, strategy, and a product roadmap to tackle tough business problems. Christina brings 14 years of experience working in technology, communications, and change management.
Prior to joining Habanero, Christina worked in public and private sector organizations including Google Ireland, BC Hydro, and the BC Government Caucus. Throughout her career she leveraged technology to improve business processes, helping companies build better workplaces for their employees. Christina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of British Columbia. Outside of work, she is an avid traveller and enjoys swimming, skiing, and the arts.
- cferancik@habaneroconsulting.com
Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
George Bernard Shaw
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x104
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
cferancik@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Better together: Your intranet and Microsoft Teams
Recorded webinar: It’s time to modernize your intranet.
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James Sloane
Director, Employee Experience
x(267)
Calgary
James Sloane
Director, Employee Experience
Calgary
James Sloane is a designer, and he’s also Habanero’s Director of Employee Experience. He began work life as a product designer and since then has applied a design-thinking, user-centred approach to every complex situation and opportunity he finds. For James, designing exceptional workplace experiences is so meaningful because it’s about helping people thrive where they spend most of their time: at work. James believes meaningful workplace experiences happen when we design the conditions for each of us to feel safe being ourselves, continuously grow, and do purposeful work.
Prior to his role as Director of Employee Experience, James was a senior experience consultant helping our clients thrive at work. He has worked on several projects working with teams to design employee portals, collaboration solutions, and cultural transformations. He especially loves strategy work and making sense of the fuzzy front-end of complex problems. James holds a Masters of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Design from the University of Alberta. Outside of work, James values his time with family and friends, coaching youth soccer, and anything creative.
- jsloane@habaneroconsulting.com
A kick-ass half is better than a half-assed whole.
Jason Fried
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x267
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
jsloane@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Records Managers honoured with trio of posters
Five reasons we invite our clients to design with us
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Kiran Aujla
Director, Operations
x(149)
Vancouver
Kiran Aujla
Director, Operations
Vancouver
Director of Operations Kiran Aujla is focused on operational excellence in how the company operates and delivers value to both clients and Habanero. She is responsible for overseeing Habanero’s delivery and resource management functions to ensure team members are performing at the highest levels within a culture of continuous improvement. Kiran’s responsibilities include establishing and reporting on measures of success for all projects while seeing through the day-to-day activities, at both a strategic and operational level, to ensure Habanero will live up to its long term vision.
Kiran has a diverse background of business and technical experience delivering and consulting on projects within the IT and utilities industries with a focus on data warehousing, intranets, websites and project management. Prior to joining Habanero in 2006, Kiran acquired close to 10 years of industry experience working with BC Hydro, Westech, and Accenture Business Services for Utilities in roles that included business analyst, system developer, project manager, and information delivery lead. When not working, Kiran enjoys a variety of activities including running, hiking and yoga. She is an avid reader with a passion for learning and cherishes quality time spent with family and friends.
- kaujla@habaneroconsulting.com
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Albert Einstein
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x149
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
kaujla@habaneroconsulting.com
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Mallory O'Connor
Practice Lead, Culture and Transformation
x(114)
Vancouver
Mallory O'Connor
Practice Lead, Culture and Transformation
Vancouver
Practice Lead of Culture and Transformation Mallory O’Connor helps enterprise organizations create great workplace experiences. She works with our clients to shape and deliver compelling changes to organizational culture and the digital landscape. Building on a twenty-year career of human-centred research and design, she coaches clients and collaborates with teams to solve the right problems with an iterative mindset.
Mallory is an experienced leader both inside Habanero and in the community. She is a thought leader, senior advisor to clients, performance coach and mentor to colleagues and accountable for Habanero’s culture and transformation offering. Mallory hosts conferences, delivers presentations and workshops and shares insights in webinars on the intersection of employee experience, culture and technology. She extends her passion for community and public art as the co-chair of the Vancouver Mural Festival. She was the co-founder and judge of the Vancouver User Experience Awards and the Vancouver User Experience Group (VanUE).
- moconnor@habaneroconsulting.com
Everything in moderation…including moderation.
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x114
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
moconnor@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Webinar: Accelerate success by aligning customer and employee experience
Aligning CX and EX: why and how
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Pilar Galiana
Director, Content Marketing
x(289)
Toronto
Pilar Galiana
Director, Content Marketing
Toronto
Director of Content Marketing Pilar Galiana brings her passion for content strategy to life every day through the creation of compelling content, campaigns, and events that deliver Habanero’s message of helping people and organizations thrive to the world. A strong team leader, Pilar also heads the content team that plans and creates clear, findable, and usable content for employee portals and websites.
Prior to joining Habanero, Pilar lead the development and content teams for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts website. She also worked as a digital marketing consultant and project manager on projects for the Ontario Ministry of Health, Kaplan University, Exchange Solutions, and Seaport Hotel Boston. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from the University of Toronto and a post-graduate degree in corporate communications from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. In addition to working with Habanero, Pilar coaches entrepreneurs to use content marketing to grow their businesses online. When she isn’t working, she is likely enjoying food, thinking about food, reading about food, or exploring Toronto's food scene.
- pgaliana@habaneroconsulting.com
Whether you think you can or think you can’t — you’re right.
Henry Ford
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x289
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
pgaliana@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Overcoming the content challenge
Innovation, culture, and teams
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Will Hardy
Practice Lead, Employee Portals
x(133)
Vancouver
Will Hardy
Practice Lead, Employee Portals
Vancouver
Employee Portals Practice Lead Will Hardy is a SharePoint platform expert and senior consultant for many of Habanero's employee portal engagements. He works with stakeholders to connect organizational objectives to maximize the capabilities of each platform. Based on his experience working with a wide range of clients and technical solutions, Will is able to recommend ways to realize goals and achieve outcomes. Will has the ability to translate strategic requirements and ideas into a clearly articulated, tactical vision for the end-state solution. He is a regular presenter on the organizational benefits of on-premise and cloud-based SharePoint technology.
Since coming to Habanero, Will has contributed to some of Habanero's key projects and helped shape the company's SharePoint domain expertise. Previously, he worked for Burntsand as a business analyst and information architect concentrating on employee and customer portals. Will has a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in entrepreneurship and small business management from the University of Victoria. Outside of work he can be found racing his sailboat in coastal B.C. waters or mountain biking on the North Shore mountains.
- whardy@habaneroconsulting.com
Give your children enough money to do something, but not enough to do nothing.
George Clooney
Phone
Calgary 403.451.8125 x133
Toronto 416.260.5959
Vancouver 604.709.6201
Winnipeg 204.661.6201
Toll-free 1.866.841.6201
Email
whardy@habaneroconsulting.com
Recent insights
Tips for building your intranet on modern SharePoint
Recorded Webinar: Building your intranet on modern SharePoint