Large companies, 1, Navigant Credit Union
Employees in R.I.: 272
Gary E. Furtado, CEO and president
She’s been at Navigant Credit Union for 23 years.
He’s worked there for 19.
Lisa Dandeneau, executive vice president/chief operating officer, and Timothy Draper, vice president of marketing, are examples of how mentorship efforts, employee engagement and continuous improvement equal retention (not to mention a happier workplace).
The credit union refined its core values earlier this year, said Dandeneau, which are now Leadership, unity, caring and integrity.
Mentors who work with individuals in the company’s onboarding program tout LUCI as part of orientation. The company’s mentorship program is strengthening, with core values helping to guide results.
Employees who exemplify these LUCI values are chosen by employees themselves. Every 14 days, the winning employee passes on the trophy to another team member for outstanding customer service, collaborating successfully or applying their knowledge to a problem.
“It’s about having integrity when no one is watching,” Dandeneau said.
The President’s Club at Navigant – in which an employee has lunch out with the president each month – is another vehicle of recognition.
Navigant also involves employees in decision making.
“[Navigant is] always open to suggestions for improvement,” said Christina Taglianetti, head teller of the Smithfield branch.
“We gave employees authority to remove a fee on the spot, and trained them in how to educate members on avoiding that fee in the future,” Dandeneau said, not only empowering employees but improving the member experience as well.
This open-minded approach to finding solutions is organic at Navigant.
“Employees feel they are heard and their action is appreciated,” said Draper.
And this involvement extends to the community at large.
Navigant supported more than 430 organizations last year. Nearly half of its 272 employees take advantage of Navigant’s program through which they can use work time for volunteering.
A generous benefits package, on-site gym and training programs are just the beginning, said Dandeneau.
“They are invested in the lives of their employees,” Taglianetti said of Navigant.
