Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 30
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CANADA’S TOP SMALL & MEDIUM EMPLOYERS (2026)
Innovation is part of Genoa Design’s DNA
S
ixteen years after
joining Genoa Design
International Ltd.,
Gwen Humby has a
unique vantage point,
not only having witnessed the
company’s tremendous growth as
one of its longest-serving
employees but being able to
envision a bright future.
“Genoa is always looking
forward, looking to grow and
thinking of their employees in that
growth,” says Humby, technical
manager.
Based in Mount Pearl, just
outside St. John’s, N.L., Genoa is
one of the shipbuilding industry’s
leading detail design and 3D
modelling firms. Started 30 years
ago at a kitchen table, Genoa
now has offices in Vancouver and
the United States and extensive
experience working on navy and
coast guard programs.
“The company’s origin is
rooted in family values and that
really guided the growth of Genoa.
We’ve never lost touch with that,”
says CEO Gina Pecore.
Remaining firmly rooted in
Newfoundland and Labrador
and committed to its employees
are key to Genoa’s next phase
of growth. Earlier this year,
Membertou First Nation and
St. John’s-based Horizon Naval
Engineering acquired it.
“This is perfect timing for the
company to take the next step in
its evolution,” says Pecore.
Driven by one of the company’s
core values, “never stand still,”
she envisions it continuing to
evolve by investing in employees’
technical and leadership skills
through an in-house academy, as
well as ensuring that their ideas
and concerns are heard.
“The ability to have a voice is
something our employees tell us
they like,” says Pecore. “There
are many ways employees can
contribute.”
Contributions might be through
employee surveys, town hall meetings with the CEO, or the Strategic
Council — a semi-annual event
where all levels of management
bring forward the views of
employees.
“We aim for creating a sense of
openness, transparency, accessibility and recognition,” says Pecore.
Genoa Design also aims to
retain its employees. After graduating from the Marine Institute
at the Memorial University of
Newfoundland in St. John’s with
a diploma of technology in naval
architecture, Humby went to the
United States for work. She spent
several years working away from
home.
Wanting to return to
Newfoundland, she applied
to Genoa and was hired as a
structural designer. With the
encouragement of her supervisors, she moved into positions
with increasing responsibility.
This year, Humby is interested in
getting her project management
certification and has the support
of her employer.
“It has long been a practice
of Genoa to recruit internally
first before we go external,” says
Pecore.
As a mother of three, Humby
also counts on the flexibility her
employer offers to allow her to
maintain a balance between work
and a busy family life. If a child is
sick, she has the option to work
from home.
“It is an incredibly family-oriented company. It is okay that I put
Genoa is always looking forward, looking to grow
and thinking of their employees in that growth.
Gwen Humby, technical manager, at Genoa Design International.
— Gwen Humby
Technical Manager
