Olympic is One of the Top 100 Employers in BC!

At Olympic, we are proud of our dedication and success in supporting our staff both in and outside of the office. From comprehensive health benefits to a weekly office breakfast, giving our staff the support they need will never be overlooked. Our team prioritizes employee well-being, and one of the main ways we accomplish that is by offering a well-rounded experience that encompasses all of our employees’ needs.

Due to our dedication to the employee experience, we are happy to announce that Olympic has been selected as one of BC’s Top 100 Employers for 2026.

This award comes from Mediacorp Canada, the nation’s largest publisher of employment periodicals. Their ‘Canada’s Top 100 Employers’ project is read by millions of Canadians annually, and they serve as a hub for job opportunities all across Canada. The distinct recognition of BC’s Top 100 Employers has been running for 21 years, and focuses specifically on companies within the province. 

Editors at Mediacorp review employers based on eight main criteria, all of which contribute to the overall work environment at their companies. We’re proud to have demonstrated strength across all areas of review, showcasing a well-rounded workplace experience for our employees.

Workplace

In 2024 Olympic moved into a new office space. During the remodel, we created a space that maximizes connection, collaboration, and hard work. Large windows throughout the office provide natural light, and our open-office layout is designed for communication and face-to-face interaction.

One aspect of the new space that contributes to our overall workplace experience is our in-office, employee-only gym. Our gym is more than just a place to work out; it’s a space where teammates challenge each other, decompress after a long day, and build camaraderie beyond the trading floor. During the darker winter months, especially, having convenient access to movement and exercise makes a real difference in improving motivation and boosting mental health.

Our office overlooks Vancouver Harbour, offering beautiful south-facing views of the water and Lonsdale Quay. Whether it’s watching the boats pass by or taking in the Vancouver skyline from the office, the setting adds something special to the workday.

Midday breaks are just as enjoyable. Stepping outside for a walk along the seaside boardwalk, grabbing lunch at one of the many nearby restaurants, or simply getting some fresh air by the water are added benefits of working on the North Shore. 

In addition, transportation is easy with the SeaBus and the Lonsdale Quay bus loop just steps away, making the commute that much more convenient on rainy Vancouver afternoons.

Work Atmosphere and Social

Our office was intentionally designed to bring people together. The entire north side of the space is dedicated to connection. It is a lively hub where teammates gather over lunch, unwind on the couches, or spark a little friendly competition over pool or ping pong.

With a large kitchen island at its center, a welcoming community dining area, and spaces built for both conversation and competition, it’s easy to step away from your desk and recharge. Whether it’s a quick reset or an extended team lunch, there’s always room to connect, collaborate, and bring fresh energy back to the workday.

As stated by our Controller, Lawrence Chan, “Our office is built to be more than a workplace, it’s a community space for Olympians that brings our ‘work hard, play hard’ culture to life.”

At Olympic, we cherish our social events for the connection they bring and the memories we create with co-workers. From end of month lunches to pizza-making classes to billiards competitions, we are never afraid to give our staff a well-deserved break. In addition to strengthening existing relationships, these events encourage new relationships to form and give new employees the opportunity to connect with others outside their department.

When asked about events, this is what one of our traders, Joel Alexander, had to say: “I love the Olympic events we do because they give us a chance to step away from our screens to recharge and get to know my colleagues beyond just work talk. In a high-pressure trading environment, the moments out of the office build trust and camaraderie across departments, ultimately making the whole team stronger and more collaborative once we are back in action.”

Health, Financial, and Family Benefits / Vacation and Time Off

Reducing stress outside of the office allows our employees to be present at work and relax during their time off. One way we can give our employees some peace of mind is through our health, financial, and family benefits. We are proud to say we have a robust benefits program that provides our employees with access to several medical services at no cost and a wellness allowance to promote staying active and healthy. We additionally offer full-time staff three weeks of paid vacation time annually after their first year of employment. Our benefits are just one way we support our staff both in and out of the office.

Employee Communications

There is always an open line of communication within our office. From our president to a brand-new intern, everyone’s voices are heard and taken into account when developing new ideas or reassessing old ones. 

An important asset for this style of communication is our boardroom. This room features a round table for those two-way discussions that keep our company ever-evolving and adaptable.

In addition to our seating space, we have artwork created by local Canadian artist, Denna Erickson. The image of the bull and the bear alludes to what our company does: trading in an ever-changing market with its highs and lows. Since we work in a fast-paced market, sitting down and talking face-to-face is part of what makes us work quickly and efficiently, and when your voice is heard, you can feel the impact you are making within the team.

Performance Management 

A large part of success in any business is supporting and directing both newer and seasoned employees to ensure optimal results. We integrate this method through regular check-ins and monthly company-wide meetings, where we share updates, discuss goals, and celebrate progress. At both the company and individual level, we set clear, meaningful objectives so everyone knows what we’re working toward and why it matters.

As an example, every quarter our entire Operations team conducts independent reviews to go over their progress from the past quarter and then set new goals for the quarter to come. These overarching goals give our staff a physical list they can look back on and remember what they have achieved/what they should be striving for.

Training and Skills Development 

A large part of our business is developing our trader trainees into full-time traders. This process isn’t a two-week program. It takes months of dedicated learning, growing, listening, and training to develop the skills needed for our trading floor. With this intensive training program, we offer dedicated mentorship and guidance throughout, allowing our trainees to gain hands-on experience with all aspects of our business. 

We also have a dedicated internship program for both our Trading and Operations teams, with internship options including Trading, Accounting, Marketing, and Data. Like our trainee program, our interns receive intentional, meaningful guidance, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the role and gain valuable experience in both the lumber trading industry and a corporate setting. 

In addition to trading specific training, Olympic is always open to supporting employees in expanding their knowledge in their field or exploring new ones. We have had several employees widen their expertise into areas they had never considered before, and we are proud that we can promote a diversification of knowledge within our company. 

Twice a year, Olympic selects two members of our Operations team to attend the North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) Wood Basics course to deepen their knowledge of the products they manage every day and to explore new areas of our business they don’t have a lot of experience with. One highlight of the course is the opportunity to tour both mills and forestland with experts to gain first-hand experience in the lumber industry and see how different processes are executed. This course is just one way we can continue learning and push our employees out of their comfort zones.

Creating careers where employees feel they are making a direct impact on the business is a large part of our development program, and cross-training is one of the many ways we achieve that goal.

Regarding cross-training, our Reload and Invoicing Coordinator, Kinga Kukla, says, "[at Olympic] It's easy to get exposure to different areas of Operations, and the team steps in when needed to keep things moving."

Community Involvement
Olympic is proud to give back to local communities. From group events like playing in the Canada Scores soccer tournament to support free after-school programs for youth, to donating to the Vancouver Food Bank for the holiday season, we recognize the powerful impact volunteering and donating can have within our communities. 

Some of our other past charitable initiatives from 2025 include:

• Participating in the Workout to Conquer Cancer, an annual event that promotes healthy activity and making a difference, and donating to the BC Cancer Society
• Sponsoring the Canadian Deaf Sports Association 
• Participating in and raising money for Movember and the 60k Move Challenge for men’s mental health 
• Donation to the BCIT Award of Excellence to support a scholarship for university students
• Donating $1 from every sale our traders make to various employee-chosen organizations, such as:
  • BC Children’s Hospital
  • Backpack Buddies who support children facing food insecurity
  • Young Guns Garage, who support at-risk youth through automotive skills training 
  • Kids Help Line, who provide 24/7 counseling for youth
  • BC Cancer Society

We’re proud to see so many of our employees actively involved in our charitable initiatives. Being able to give back to our community and beyond in a meaningful way is important to us, and we are excited to continue our efforts into the future.

We are also able to provide one paid day a year for employees to volunteer in the community, which is one tangible way we can give back. This gives our team a chance to spend time out of the office together while focusing on communities and programs that support various charities and donation events. 

We are thrilled to accept this award and celebrate our team for all of the hard work that they do. Being able to reflect on the past year and feel the positive impact our programs and benefits continue to have on our employees is a mighty achievement, and we look forward to continuing this momentum and finding even more ways to provide support.

The Career Directory

In addition to BC’s Top 100 Employers, Olympic has also been named one of Canada’s best employers for recent graduates and is featured in the 2026 guide by the Career Directory. 

The Career Directory is Canada’s longest-running employment guide for new graduates and gives those looking to break into the workforce a comprehensive list of the top places to work in Canada.

This recognition focuses on the opportunities we offer new graduates, and at Olympic, this includes in-house training, development, and mentorship, an immersive work experience, and the opportunity for an impactful career in our industry. We’re proud to create an environment where emerging talent can grow quickly, take on real responsibility, and build a meaningful future.

Both of these awards reflect the culture and community we have built at Olympic, and we are grateful for the recognition of our hard work. Our employees are the center of our organization, and supporting/giving back to them is essential to making Olympic the best company that it can be. Thank you to our team and their dedication to making Olympic what it is today and continuing this vision into the future. 

*All of the photos of our office were taken by our design + build partner, Aura Office