Manitoba's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 22
MANITOBA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
22
Fusion Credit Union is guided by its values
W
hen Mike
Loewen joined
Fusion Credit
Union as its
chief risk officer
in 2020, he says the onboarding
program helped him see he had
made the right choice.
Employees new to the credit
union participate in brand
experience training, where they
learn how Fusion’s brand is more
than a logo and tagline. The
training focuses on Fusion’s values
and how they are key components
of the brand experience.
It's empowering
and makes me feel
proud knowing that
the place where I
work is consistently
encouraging and
willing to invest time
and resources into
helping me become the
best version of myself.
— Danielle Durston
Member Service Supervisor
“We explore our personal
connections to the values,” says
Loewen, now chief risk and
people officer. “Going through
that program, I had a strong
sense that there was a good
connection between my values
and Fusion’s values. It gave me
the confidence that I was working
somewhere that uses its values
as a key ingredient to guide the
organization.”
Fusion Credit Union employees gather for a picture in front of one of the organization’s 18 branches.
Fusion, which is based in
the Parkland and Westman
regions of Manitoba, also places
an emphasis on nurturing
employee development. “This
also boosts employee engagement
and retention,” Loewen says.
“Employees want to be engaged,
and our employee development
model is a real attraction and
retention tool for us.”
The organization provides many
opportunities for employees to
build skills for their current roles
or to develop into future positions.
New employees are paired with
a mentor in the same role to
support them through their first
days. Employees have career path
roadmaps, which are customized
to identify and address areas they
need to focus on to build skills to
reach their goals.
Fusion provides funding and
study time for employees to
take courses in areas of interest,
as well as a tuition assistance
program for degree or diploma
programs. Employees also have
access to industry learning
tools and certifications in areas
including member experience and
specific financial products. They
also have opportunities to join
working groups or pilot projects
to contribute to organizational
improvement and gain experience
outside their day-to-day roles.
“It’s empowering and makes
me feel proud knowing that the
place where I work is consistently
encouraging and willing to invest
time and resources into helping
me become the best version of
myself,” says Danielle Durston,
member service supervisor.
“It motivates me to show up
fully, try new things and push
myself. That type of support
doesn’t just shape my role, it
shapes my mindset coming
into work every day and it gives
me confidence and a sense of
purpose.”
As chair of Fusion’s Young
Leaders Group, Durston has
also been involved in learning
opportunities, such as training
sessions geared to help
young leaders with effective
communication; leading through
change; and equity, diversity and
inclusion.
Loewen says this focus on
learning and career development
encourages a growth mindset
