Alberta's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 62
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ALBERTA’S TOP EMPLOYERS
At Strathcona County, wellness is for everyone
A
s the 2025 municipal election in
Strathcona County
wrapped up in
October, Bevan
White was blown away by the
staff’s ability to work together
toward a common goal.
We want people to
have the tools and be
at their best for our
residents. If the whole
person isn’t cared for,
we’re not serving our
community as strongly
as we could.
— Stacy Fedechko
Chief Administrative Officer
Through the Positive Tickets program at Strathcona County, peace officers recognize good behaviours like
following the law or doing a good deed.
“The amount of collaboration
that went into running that election, everyone played a role,” says
the project manager, legislative
projects, for Strathcona County —
which includes both rural areas
and the urban community of
Sherwood Park next to Edmonton.
“We had over 200 staff signed up.
Everybody’s willingness to help
was fantastic.”
The supportive culture had
an impact on White from the
moment he joined the team in
2018. Having never worked in an
office environment before, he felt
intimidated. But his new co-workers quickly put him at ease.
“The people here were amazing
and did a good job making me feel
welcome,” he says.
Seven years and several career
advancements later, White is still
with the County and thriving
thanks to the culture, which
nurtures well-being, learning and
development.
With support from the County,
White has expanded his skills
through corporate-funded
learning opportunities for staff
and courses at the University of
Alberta and the Northern Alberta
Institute of Technology.
“A lot of it was my supervisors
figuring out what I was good at
and helping put me in positions
that match my skill set,” he
explains.
For chief administrative officer
Stacy Fedechko, who has dedicated over two decades to the County,
career advancement has never
been about waiting for the perfect
moment. It’s about stepping
forward, seeking out opportunity
and embracing growth in all its
forms.
Now, in her leadership role,
Fedechko is committed to cultivating a culture where curiosity,
adaptability and initiative are not
only encouraged but rewarded.
“I had that support, and I want it
to be that simple for everybody if
they want it, too.”
Strathcona County’s employee
care extends beyond professional
growth, however. With a wide
range of workers serving the community in varied environments
— from the office to the front lines
— mental health and well-being
has evolved into a multifaceted
approach to staff safety.
“We want people to have the
tools and be at their best for our
residents,” says Fedechko. “If the
whole person isn’t cared for, we’re
not serving our community as
strongly as we could.”
Psychological services vary
from training courses to the more
direct employee family assistance
program, which provides mental
health support for employees
and their families who might be
struggling — a service Fedechko
has used herself to help manage
grief.
“I’ve needed to go talk to somebody, and there’s nothing wrong
with that,” she says. “It doesn’t
make you weak — it actually
makes you stronger.”
A hybrid work program also
recognizes that work-life balance
is not one size fits all. If possible
for their position, employees
can choose to work from home
for some of the week, but it’s
