Cenovus Cares Ambassador Program: Inspiring colleagues & positively impacting communities
April 2023 – At Cenovus Energy, our staff and their families believe in the power of giving, getting involved and building a better future, together. We launched the Cenovus Cares Ambassador Program as part of our Employee Giving and Volunteering Program to elevate our impact and further empower staff to strengthen the communities where we live and work.
“As an ambassador, staff help plan and run engaging opportunities that empower colleagues to contribute to important causes in their communities,” says Taisa Anderson, Social Investment Analyst. “In 2022, these ambassadors and other staff helped organize 65 volunteer opportunities across the company.”
To recognize National Volunteer Week in Canada and the U.S., a few Cenovus Cares ambassadors shared their favourite aspects of the program and how they’re making a difference.
Terry Wagner
Terry Wagner (far right) and a team of Cenovus Cares volunteers at the annual Coldest Night of the Year event. “I’ve been an active volunteer in the Lloydminster community for many years, so when I heard about the Cenovus Cares Ambassador Program, I saw an opportunity to share my passion with my colleagues,” says Terry Wagner, Senior Supervisor, Maintenance at our Lloydminster Upgrader.
“Since becoming an ambassador, I've been involved with a number of initiatives. I’ve noticed a good uptake from colleagues that hadn’t been involved in a volunteer capacity before, and now they are regularly signing up to participate in Cenovus-led activities.
I've been most excited to launch a recurring monthly volunteering opportunity serving food at The Olive Tree.
Staff can easily sign-up for a shift and know they are making a difference in the community.
Earlier this year, we had a team participate in the Coldest Night of the Year event, in support of the Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society. We also raised over $8,000 to further support the cause."
Scott Preston and Joel Neumann
“I’ve always been passionate about volunteering and staying connected to the community, so becoming a Cenovus Cares ambassador meant I could learn more about Cenovus’s connection in the community too,” shares Scott Preston, Downstream Planning Analyst.
“I signed up to be an ambassador as I felt that this was a great way to engage with the community and how we interact with one another,” says Joel Neumann, Production Engineer, supporting our Lloydminster Thermals.
“We’ve made a great connection with Made by Momma – a grassroots non-profit based in Calgary which helps families in crisis by providing healthy meals, baby and children’s items and other services to support mothers,” adds Joel.
Joel (L) and Scott (R) helping to prepare meals at Made by Momma. "We’ve been able to help prepare meals as a team and are aiming to make this a regular opportunity for our team to participate in.”
“Cenovus Cares has helped us jump outside our comfort zone and enabled us to recognize how we can all come together to support the community and come together as a team,” says Scott. “We’re really enjoying the program and how it’s set up to provide an array of opportunities for people to participate.”
Jane Martino
Jane (far right) and a team of Cenovus Cares volunteers help pack food for Feed The Kids Columbus. “I’ve been the ‘informal’ ambassador at our Dublin office for some time now, so it was a natural fit for me to become a Cenovus Cares ambassador,” shares Jane Martino, Trading & Marketing Support Advisor.
“I’ve really valued having the opportunity to meet others in the office and get familiar with the community and the different causes we can support.
Our office plans quarterly volunteer opportunities with local causes such as Feed The Kids Columbus, Life Town and Ronald McDonald House. Colleagues recommend causes that are important to them, and it’s a great way for others to learn about different initiatives in the community and to support one another.
“We’re hoping to organize some additional team volunteering opportunities this year and are planning some collection drives for other organizations.
It’s fantastic having a formal program to support ambassadors – we are set up with all the resources we need to plan engaging opportunities in our region.”
Karsten Nordhagen
“I’ve always found a lot of enjoyment through volunteering and signing up as an ambassador allows me to share this experience with my colleagues at work,” says Karsten Nordhagen, Senior Coordinator, Terminal Maintenance.
“We recently organized a collection drive for the County of Lamont Food Bank and donated over 1,000 kilograms of food, and also have a team participate in the annual MS Bike event supporting the MS Society, where colleagues support fundraising efforts through Cenovus Cares.
It’s great to see colleagues from our Bruderheim Energy Terminal, Asphalt Terminals and Construction teams come together to make these events such a success.
Karsten (wearing the Cenovus Cares t-shirt) and colleagues deliver collected food items to the County of Lamont Food Bank. We’ve got a lot more planned this year – more collection drives, planting community gardens and helping with landscaping, and supporting local cultural and sport tournaments – so there’s something for everyone to get involved with!
The support Cenovus provides staff through Cenovus Cares is amazing. No matter how people choose to participate, the program helps them make an impact with the causes that are meaningful to them.”
“Our Ambassador Program is really helping to elevate the many ways staff can get involved with Cenovus Cares,” shares Taisa. “Whether it’s organizing meaningful volunteer projects or fundraising for local causes, ambassadors are helping to foster a sense of belonging and bringing important elements of our company culture to life.”
Thank you to our ambassadors who are helping inspire colleagues and positively impact communities!
Our legal team are volunteer superstars in the community. Learn more about how their team is maximizing their impact with Cenovus Cares.