Deepening our impact.
Reporting our results.

A purpose-driven journey.

We are committed to strengthening the communities we love and call home. As catalysts for positive change, we continuously strive to deepen our impact and commit to reporting on our results. Learn more about our purpose, vision, mission and values and the ancestral and unceded traditional territory on which our headquarters sit.

Our 2023 Impact Report shows our cumulative impact from our firm’s inception in July 2019 to March 31, 2023, and shares our targets and commitments for 2023-24.

A purpose-driven journey.

Our 2023 Impact Report shows our cumulative impact from our firm’s inception in July 2019 to March 31, 2023, and shares our targets and commitments for 2023-24.

Download our latest Impact Report or keep scrolling to see the highlights.

Read our Impact Report

Download our latest Impact Report or keep scrolling to see the highlights.

Read our Impact Report

Our sustainability standards.

Our sustainability efforts are voluntarily guided by the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Guidance Standard and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (with a focus on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #92: Business and Reconciliation).

The ISO 26000 helps organizations maximize their contribution to sustainable development by leveraging the implementation of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a guidance standard and is not intended to be used for certification.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #92 calls on businesses to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework. You can learn more and find resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.

We bring these social responsibility standards to our client work and integrate them into our values and practices as a company.

Our sustainability pillars.

People. Prosperity. Climate.

Our three sustainability pillars align with the seven core subjects of the ISO 26000 framework we voluntarily follow. These pillars guide our social responsibility approach and practices.

Source: ISO 26000 | Social Responsibility: 7 Core Subjects

Our sustainability pillars.

People. Prosperity. Climate.

Our three sustainability pillars align with the seven core subjects of the ISO 26000 framework we voluntarily follow. These pillars guide our social responsibility approach and practices.

Source: ISO 26000 | Social Responsibility: 7 Core Subjects

People.

(Human rights, labour practices, fair operating practices)

We are equitable, ethical and inclusive, creating an environment that nurtures the growth of our firm, our clients and our communities.

Prosperity.

(Consumer issues, community involvement and development)

We contribute to the economic well-being of our communities, supporting and uplifting other local businesses as well as current and future leaders.

Climate.

(The environment)

We responsibly manage our carbon footprint and actively seek ways to minimize negative impacts, while supporting organizations that develop and distribute eco-friendly materials and processes that make meaningful contributions to the health of the planet.

People

Human rights, labour practices, fair operating practices

Related United Nations SDGs

(All dollar figures in CAD)

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
$2,603,057 3% GRRSP matching introduced in 2021 Defined compensation plan developed and rolled out in 2022 * Includes Owner/CEO compensation. Does not include birthday, anniversary, holiday and ad hoc gifts; company-funded peer-to-peer rewards and recognition; professional development-related expenses; annual retreat and event-related expenses; the value of sick and personal time or other non-vacation-related leave; or the reimbursement of expenses incurred during the usual course of business.	Annual review and salary increase process consolidated to coincide with fiscal year-end (instead of anniversary dates), effective April 1, 2023 5% GRRSP matching introduced in April 2023 All position salary ranges to be reviewed and adjusted, pending market conditions, by March 31, 2024

Progress
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

$2,603,057
3% GRRSP matching introduced in 2021
Defined compensation plan developed and rolled out in 2022

* Includes Owner/CEO compensation. Does not include birthday, anniversary, holiday and ad hoc gifts; company-funded peer-to-peer rewards and recognition; professional development-related expenses; annual retreat and event-related expenses; the value of sick and personal time or other non-vacation-related leave; or the reimbursement of expenses incurred during the usual course of business.

Annual review and salary increase process consolidated to coincide with fiscal year-end (instead of anniversary dates), effective April 1, 2023
5% GRRSP matching introduced in April 2023
All position salary ranges to be reviewed and adjusted, pending market conditions, by March 31, 2024

Progress
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)
Commitments
(FY 23-24)
100% Annually
** Does not include Owner/CEO, who is not part of the incentive program.
100%
(Minimum of 4 weeks granted to all employees per fiscal year)
Progress:
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)
Commitments
(FY 23-24)
98% taken in 2021-22
96% taken in 2022-23
100% taken

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
100% Annually ** Does not include Owner/CEO, who is not part of the incentive program.	100%

Progress: (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
98% taken in 2021-22 96% taken in 2022-23	100% taken

Progress: (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
Benefits program introduced in 2020, 50% paid for by firm Employee Assistance Program (EAP) introduced in 2022 $1,500 technology and ergonomic equipment top-up for each employee at 6 months and every 2 years introduced in 2022 Respectful Workplace Policy created and training delivered to all employees in 2021 Clear and employee-focused Expense Policy and Responsible Alcohol and Drug Use Policy created and delivered in 2022 Flexible, remote work for all employees Full compliance with WorkSafeNB, including COVID measures	Maintain and improve upon performance to date, guided by new employee engagement and culture plan to be developed in 2024 Review and expand HR policies in consultation with team Re-offer Respectful Workplace Policy training in 2024

Progress:
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

Benefits program introduced in 2020, 50% paid for by firm
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) introduced in 2022
$1,500 technology and ergonomic equipment top-up for each employee at 6 months and every 2 years introduced in 2022
Respectful Workplace Policy created and training delivered to all employees in 2021
Clear and employee-focused Expense Policy and Responsible Alcohol and Drug Use Policy created and delivered in 2022
Flexible, remote work for all employees
Full compliance with WorkSafeNB, including COVID measures

Maintain and improve upon performance to date, guided by new employee engagement and culture plan to be developed in 2024
Review and expand HR policies in consultation with team
Re-offer Respectful Workplace Policy training in 2024

Progress: (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
$638,052 (Does not include HST) (Freelancers, independent contractors, partner firms and others who support the delivery of client work)	In progress

Progress:
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

$638,052 (Does not include HST)

(Freelancers, independent contractors, partner firms and others who support the delivery of client work)

In progress

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
Collaboratively completed our Purpose Statement, Vision, Mission and Values in 2022 Collaboratively completed our team ‘Code of the Road’ documenting team norms and guiding team behaviours in 2022 Developed specific approach to openness and transparency in pricing; introduced templates for clear and comprehensive client engagement letters, subcontractor agreements and Non-Disclosure Agreements, including process to enable flexibility with our clients and partners Introduced formal monthly project status reporting in advance of billing for clarity, transparency and effective forecasting	Adopt more formal, documented and published professional code of conduct Develop and implement an Artificial Intelligence usage policy Formalize annual, third-party client feedback process, building on baselines established internally in 2022

Progress
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

Collaboratively completed our Purpose Statement, Vision, Mission and Values in 2022
Collaboratively completed our team ‘Code of the Road’ documenting team norms and guiding team behaviours in 2022
Developed specific approach to openness and transparency in pricing; introduced templates for clear and comprehensive client engagement letters, subcontractor agreements and Non-Disclosure Agreements, including process to enable flexibility with our clients and partners
Introduced formal monthly project status reporting in advance of billing for clarity, transparency and effective forecasting

Adopt more formal, documented and published professional code of conduct
Develop and implement an Artificial Intelligence usage policy
Formalize annual, third-party client feedback process, building on baselines established internally in 2022

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
Individual review and team discussion of White Fragility and 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act (2020) 100% participation in MESH/ diversity’s Inclusive Leadership program (2022) 87.5% (7 out of 8 team members) completion of Indigenous Canada course from the University of Alberta (~21 hours each) in 2023 100% participation in Anti-Racist Training in partnership with Black Lives Matter NB in 2023	100% (6 out of 6 employees) completion of Indigenous Canada course from the University of Alberta (~21 hours each) Further optimize the use of MESH/diversity to better understand and expand on our own team’s diversity and inclusive leadership

Progress
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

Individual review and team discussion of White Fragility and 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act (2020)
100% participation in MESH/ diversity’s Inclusive Leadership program (2022)
87.5% (7 out of 8 team members) completion of Indigenous Canada course from the University of Alberta (~21 hours each) in 2023
100% participation in Anti-Racist Training in partnership with Black Lives Matter NB in 2023

100% (6 out of 6 employees) completion of Indigenous Canada course from the University of Alberta (~21 hours each)
Further optimize the use of MESH/diversity to better understand and expand on our own team’s diversity and inclusive leadership

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
100% employee participation in annual planning retreats, 2019-23 Team training in Boundary Setting in 2021 Team training in Burnout Prevention in 2022 100% participation in Personality Analyses to understand communications and work styles in 2023	Conduct confidential, third-party workplace assessment to inform employee engagement and culture plan, June 2023 (100% team participation)

Prosperity

Consumer issues, community involvement and development

Related United Nations SDGs:

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
$32,912 donated to local and regional causes since 2019; beneficiaries of $1,000 or more include: United Way Saint John, Kings & Charlotte ($17,275)** Canadian Red Cross ($3,000) Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation ($2,700) Legacy of Hope Foundation ($1,450) First Steps Housing Inc. ($1,000) The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Fund ($1,000) The Community Foundation: Ukrainian Welcome Fund ($1,000) Ulnooweg Education Centre ($1,000) Donated five copies of White Fragility to NB-based libraries in 2020 Donated iPad to Saint John Crescent Valley Resource Centre in 2021 * Does not include charity portion of dinners and events, or in-kind contributions. ** Includes donated and committed amounts.	$15,000 donated to community causes Establish more formal process to measure in-kind contributions

Progress
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

$32,912 donated to local and regional causes since 2019; beneficiaries of $1,000 or more include:
United Way Saint John, Kings & Charlotte ($17,275)**
Canadian Red Cross ($3,000)
Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation ($2,700)
Legacy of Hope Foundation ($1,450)
First Steps Housing Inc. ($1,000)
The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Fund ($1,000)
The Community Foundation: Ukrainian Welcome Fund ($1,000)
Ulnooweg Education Centre ($1,000)
Donated five copies of White Fragility to NB-based libraries in 2020
Donated iPad to Saint John Crescent Valley Resource Centre in 2021

* Does not include charity portion of dinners and events, or in-kind contributions.

** Includes donated and committed amounts.

$15,000 donated to community causes
Establish more formal process to measure in-kind contributions

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
$11,000 in bursaries distributed to 11 post-secondary students across NB ($1,000 each) since 2020: Sydney McLean, Colpitts Settlement Ruhamma Zaheeb, Saint John Olivia Lipton, Riverview Laurence Olivia Arseneau, Beresford Kathryn Doucette, Salisbury Sydona Chandon, Fredericton Paul Oyedijo, Sackville Ashley Thornton, New Maryland Susmitha Gopi, Saint John Julie Thibodeau, Esgenoôpetitj Kathleen MacMillan, Miramichi	$5,000 in bursaries distributed to 5 post-secondary students in NB ($1,000 each)

Progress
(July 2019 - March 31, 2023)

Commitments
(FY 23-24)

$11,000 in bursaries distributed to 11 post-secondary students across NB ($1,000 each) since 2020:
Sydney McLean, Colpitts Settlement
Ruhamma Zaheeb, Saint John
Olivia Lipton, Riverview
Laurence Olivia Arseneau, Beresford
Kathryn Doucette, Salisbury
Sydona Chandon, Fredericton
Paul Oyedijo, Sackville
Ashley Thornton, New Maryland
Susmitha Gopi, Saint John
Julie Thibodeau, Esgenoôpetitj
Kathleen MacMillan, Miramichi

$5,000 in bursaries distributed to 5 post-secondary students in NB ($1,000 each)

Progress (July 2019 - March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
6 non-profit Board roles held by members of the team: Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency United Way Saint John, Kings & Charlotte Human Development Council Nova Scotia Environmental Network Habitat for Humanity Saint John Region Saint John Family Resource Centre	At least 7 non-profit Board roles held by members of the team

Climate

The environment

Related United Nations SDGs

Progress (July 2019 – March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
Ride-Sharing Policy established for all team and client events in 2022 Bring-your-own-device for work use (supported by tech allowances and subsidies) Flexible work-from-home model with shared office space available in Saint John, NB	Maintain and seek ways to improve our energy conservation and responsible use performance

Progress (July 2019 – March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
Policy to offset the carbon footprint of business air travel in 2023 Diverted 18.44 tonnes of air-travel-related carbon through Planetair in 2023	Extend Carbon Offset Policy to all work-related ground transportation (mileage, rental, car-sharing) effective April 1, 2023

Progress (July 2019 – March 31, 2023)	Commitments (FY 23-24)
Supported renewable energy projects for four energy sector clients Board representation with Nova Scotia Environmental Network	Continue to seek values-aligned, environmentally responsible energy projects Seek at least one additional volunteer Board or committee opportunity within the energy space and/or adjacent spaces

Disclosures.

The following additional disclosures reflect our progress from July 1, 2019 to March 31, 2023.

Employee count (Full-time equivalent as of March 31, 2023)	12
Roster count (Freelancers, independent contractors and partners in delivery of client work)	56
Client count	57
% of revenue from outside NB	31.3%
Firm ownership	Cynthia Goodwin (100%)
Headquarter community (Territorial Acknowledgment)	Quispamsis, NB
Additional community footprint	Saint John, NB Rothesay, NB Grand Bay-Westfield, NB Fredericton, NB Oromocto, NB Gagetown, NB Centreville, NB Halifax, NS

Get in touch.

Our impact would not be possible without the support of our team, clients, partners and communities.

Have questions about our impact or interest in partnering with us? Let’s talk.