EY Canada is proud to announce the expansion of its Neurodiversity Center of Excellence (NCoE) network, opening a sixth center in Calgary today. The NCoE model, which began in Philadelphia in 2016, has expanded globally, including a rapidly growing Canadian team spanning Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.
The strengths-based talent model unlocks the potential of neurodiverse talent pools to integrate advanced business and technology skills with knowledge in areas such as data analytics, blockchain, AI, risk and audit to help clients solve some of their most complex business challenges.
“To drive sustainable growth, we know that companies must continually innovate, diversify their workforce and identify new sources of talent,” said Alison Jackson, Calgary Managing Partner at EY Canada. “The expansion of the NCoE into Calgary gives us access to talented, project-ready local consultants who are familiar with local priorities and values in key energy, agriculture and technology sectors and beyond.”
Beyond physical expansion, the NCoE model has evolved since its inception into a unique end-to-end neurodiversity onboarding consulting service that offers advanced technology capabilities to help organizations build a neurodiverse workforce, including those like the National Bank to better recruit, incorporate and develop Canada.
“We know other organizations have similar aspirations to expand their inclusion efforts and leverage neurodiverse teams to address high-demand areas like cybersecurity, emerging technologies and risk management to drive innovation and productivity,” said Anthony Rjeily, Digital Transformation and Innovation Leader at EYCanada. “Through the NCoE, we are creating supportive work environments that encourage innovation, bring a new dimension to creativity, and promote more diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace – both within the company and among our customers.”
This news follows the opening of the EY Finance Center of Excellence in Calgary earlier this year, which offers cutting-edge in-house financial services. Both centers join a growing list of EY Centers of Excellence worldwide with distinct focuses ranging from cybersecurity, innovation and analytics to robotic process automation and manufacturing services.
“We are pleased to welcome EY’s recent investment in Calgary with the expansion of its Center of Excellence in Neurodiversity,” said the Honorable Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta. “This is not only a vote of confidence for this city and our state, it is a vote of confidence for every individual who is looking for work. The services provided by this center will help bring employers and employees together and strengthen our economy.”
Added Rick Christiaanse, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Alberta, “The EY Neurodiversity Center of Excellence demonstrates a commitment to the workforce of the future and creating more opportunities for Alberta residents and for companies investing in Alberta. This center of excellence will empower Alberta’s diverse workforce to innovate to address the world’s toughest challenges.”
By designing accessible processes and environments for neurodivergent employees to thrive, NCoE has achieved a 92% employee retention rate to date.
Learn about the Canadian Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence and how best practices leveraging every thinker type ultimately help everyone in the workplace and create a workforce for the future.
