Alberta's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 18
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ALBERTA’S TOP EMPLOYERS
Alberta Blue Cross is committed to employee well-being
W
hen Robert
Kisteleki
celebrated his
20th anniversary with Alberta
Blue Cross in 2025, he used the
milestone to celebrate his career
progression and his opportunities
to give back to the community.
Everything we do with
our people, wellness is
front and centre.
— Mark Razzolini
Senior Vice-President and
Chief People Officer
“They’ve let me shine,” says the
senior database administrator.
Since joining the not-for-profit
organization as a junior database
administrator, Kisteleki has used
the $4,000 offered annually by his
employer for flexible education
goals to take project management
and leadership courses through
the University of Alberta. The
training developed his skills so he
could take on a more senior role
with the largest benefits provider
in Alberta (and one of the biggest
in Western Canada).
Throughout his career, Kisteleki
has also welcomed the volunteer
challenges offered through the
company, which have allowed him
to engage with different people,
improve his ability to speak
publicly and increase his sense of
well-being.
“Our goal with our people
strategy is to be an amazing place
to work but, more importantly,
External partners and employees at Alberta Blue Cross promote health and well-being initiatives as part of its
wellness block party.
that your life is better working for
Alberta Blue Cross,” says Mark
Razzolini, senior vice-president
and chief people officer. “We take
that vision seriously.”
Kisteleki counts his life richer
because of his philanthropic work.
Several years ago, he started rowing to raise money for the Stollery
Children’s Hospital Foundation in
Edmonton. Soon after, he became
active with the United Way and
the company’s employee giving
campaign.
He continues to branch out
his volunteerism. Last spring, he
and a colleague returned to the
Edmonton hospice where his father had spent the last months of
his life the year prior. With rakes
and shovels in hand, they spent
hours tending to the hospice’s gardening area. It was a meaningful
way for Kisteleki to give a heartfelt
thanks to the organization that
helped his family.
“It was amazing,” he says. “It
all circled back. I was able to give
back, and Alberta Blue Cross
supported me. It makes me proud
to say that I work with them.”
Hearts of Blue, the company’s
employee-led charity, supports
grassroots charities and non-profits across Alberta through
donations and volunteerism. Each
year, the charity coordinates several Days of Giving events where
employees like Kisteleki take time
from their workday to volunteer,
whether it be at a local hospice or
food bank.
Providing meaningful
opportunities for employees to
give back to the communities
they serve is part of Alberta Blue
Cross’s commitment to wellness.
That commitment is also on
display on the top floor of the
Edmonton-based head office.
On a floor dedicated to wellness,
employees and their guests have
access to a free gym, a studio
and a games room, as well as a
lounge and a tranquility space for
reflection or prayer.
“Everything we do with our people, wellness is front and centre,”
says Razzolini. “It is the cornerstone of our high-performing
