about us
O.C. Tanner improves workplace cultures through personalized employee recognition solutions, so people feel appreciated, do their best work, and come to stay.
Thousands of the most respected organizations around the world rely on O.C. Tanner’s software and services to ensure their employees accomplish and appreciate great work. They also rely on academic-grade research published in our annual Global Culture Report as we track, analyze, and forecast worldwide culture trends.
Million users
Countries
Million awards delivered annually
Multinational clients
Client retention
Uptime
Culture Cloud Recognition
When you choose Culture Cloud Recognition, you tap into the employee recognition best practices of some of the top companies on Earth. Culture Cloud® Recognition is the preferred solution for 30 of the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work For (including us).
Culture Cloud Recognition makes it easy to send leader or peer-to-peer or recognition, trigger individual service milestones or company-wide celebrations, and deliver points redeemable in a world-class rewards store. HR leaders can monitor results in real time, manage budgets, and make informed decisions to improve usage and impact. 93% of Culture Cloud clients report measurable ROI in the first year.*
Read more about how Culture Cloud Recognition can help your people thrive at work.
*TechValidate 2020
Locations
North America
United States
1930 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
United States of America
India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA)
Mumbai
Level 7, Tower II, Phase II
Raiaskaran TechPark
Andheri Kurla Road
Andheri East
Mumbai 400072
India
Hyderabad
12th Floor, Block - A, Wing - C
Meenakshi Tech Park, Sy No.39
Near Mindspace Circle, Gachibowli
Hyderabad-500032
India
Noida
Office No. S-03, 1st Floor
GM IT Park, Sector 142
Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201305
India
Europe
United Kingdom
6A Imprimo Park Lenthall Road
Loughton, Essex IG10 3UF
United Kingdom
Asia Pacific (APAC)
For order inquiries please contact our customer support team.
Our leaders
Stephen Tanner Irish
Stephen Tanner Irish
Chairman of the Board
Stephen first joined the Board of Directors over 30 years ago with the primary qualification of having studied philosophy, a credential that meant something to his grandfather Obert C. Tanner. He has a deep appreciation for the importance of a strong workplace culture in the success of organizations. Stephen is committed to continuing the philanthropic legacy of the company and has served as a trustee of the Tanner Lectures on Human Values for over 20 years. In addition to serving on our Board of Directors he also teaches in the philosophy department at the University of Utah and continues his research and writing in the history of science. Stephen studied philosophy at Stanford and earned a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science from Cambridge.
Dave Petersen
Dave Petersen
Vice Chair of the Board
Dave arrived at O.C. Tanner offering his services without a job interview or offer. If the company wasn't pleased after a month's work (without pay), he'd pack his things. 40 years later Dave has worked in several teams across the organization including sales, supply chain, client relations, and operations—all with the goal of helping people thrive at work. Dave also spent over 14 years serving on the boards of multiple community organizations ranging from United Way of Salt Lake to the Utah Opera to One Refugee. He earned a bachelor's degree in international business from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management.
Scott Sperry
Scott Sperry
President & Chief Executive Officer
“O.C. Tanner’s unique approach to recognition helps people lead in the most powerful way—as servants and stewards with a great responsibility to their organizations, employees, customers, and communities.” Scott believes passionately in O.C. Tanner’s purpose to “help people thrive at work.” He understands the important role a leader plays in defining a company’s vision, values, and strategy. But at the end of the day, he knows that people matter most. Scott was named as President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2022. Prior to this, he served as O.C. Tanner’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Controller. Before joining O.C. Tanner in 2003, Scott was with KPMG and Arthur Andersen for eleven years providing audit, business advisory, and M&A professional services. He prioritizes serving his community and is currently on the executive committee of the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Salt Lake. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Utah.
Scott Archibald
Scott Archibald
Chief Operating Officer
“One question drives everything I do for my team and our clients: ‘How can we use data to be smarter?’ It’s about using data to generate helpful insights—the kind that result in better decisions and inspire positive action.” As Chief Operating Officer, Scott is always ready to listen, learn, and pull the story out of the details. He understands the power of data to help organizations make better decisions. Scott considers it an honor to help both our internal teams and our clients achieve more by sharing data-driven insights that solve real problems. When Scott joined O.C. Tanner over 14 years ago he brought with him a wealth of experience from both the private industry and public accounting—he worked in a range of roles including Vice President of Finance, controller, and auditor. A certified public accountant, Scott has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Utah. Outside of work, he gets the most joy from spending time with his wife and their five children.
Mindi Cox
Mindi Cox
Chief Marketing & People Officer
“An organization’s business potential is intimately tied to its humanity. I love working for a company that leads the world in creating workplaces that help people thrive.” Mindi works to connect people with purpose. Whether she is working with clients or internal teams, her goal is to help cultivate workplace cultures where people feel connected to the greater purpose and impact of their work. Mindi’s experience has taught her that it is this connection, this soul spark, that inspires people to seek personal and professional progress—and that ultimately kindles powerful business breakthroughs. Mindi has 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and as a human resource executive. In each of these roles, she has focused on practices that strengthen the workforce through culture. Named Chief People Officer of the Year by Silicon Slopes in 2023 and one of Utah’s 30 Women to Watch in 2022 Mindi is SPHR and SHRM–SCP certified. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an MBA from the University of Utah.
Steve Fairbanks
Steve Fairbanks
Chief Technology Officer
As a seasoned technology executive with a passion for leading large teams through the complexities of building great software at scale, Steve is focused on delivering differentiated SaaS solutions and supporting technologies that help employees around the globe thrive at work. With over 25 years of software executive leadership experience, Steve draws from his background in global product portfolio management, engineering, UX, and agile process to create profitable enterprise solutions from ideas. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, he has worked with diverse teams to deliver high-quality software solutions that drive growth and enhance customer experiences. When he's not working, Steve loves spending time with his family and hitting the trails on his mountain bike.
Michelle Colovich
Michelle Colovich
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Michelle Colovich leads all finance functions at O.C. Tanner, including financial planning, budgeting, compliance, risk management, forecasting, and helping the company achieve profitable growth. With 25 years of experience in the finance industry and 18 years at O.C. Tanner, Michelle is a seasoned executive and trusted member of the senior executive team. She has been pivotal in helping drive O.C. Tanner to record-breaking revenue and profit years and has played a crucial role in the development of the company’s corporate hyper-growth strategy. Previously, Michelle served as Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller. She has a master's and bachelor's degrees from Brigham Young University.
Beatryx Washington
Beatryx Washington
General Counsel
“As a leader, I derive great satisfaction from helping people reach their full potential by empowering them to make decisions and take initiative. It’s a natural extension of our company’s mission to help people thrive at work.” As a career in-house attorney, Beatryx strives to help business leaders accomplish their strategic goals. Beatryx leads our legal, contracts, and internal audit teams and provides creative and practical solutions to the executive team and Board of Directors. Beatryx has previously counseled listed companies in the aerospace, nuclear services, and multi-level marketing industries. She has an undergraduate degree in political science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law. Outside of work, Beatryx currently serves on the boards of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, Salt Lake Community College Foundation, the Waterford School, and Ballet West. She enjoys volunteering and spending time with her husband and their two children.
Gary Peterson
Gary Peterson
Executive Vice President, Supply Chain & Production
“There’s nothing I love more than being on the factory floor, building connections and relationships with the people who make our manufacturing possible. Putting people first is core to how we do things at O.C. Tanner.” As our Executive Vice President of Supply Chain & Production, Gary specializes in creating cultures of continuous improvement through manufacturing and leadership excellence. He leads our manufacturing, buying, engineering, refining, and logistics teams. Gary has been at O.C. Tanner for over 35 years and has helped transform the company’s manufacturing operations from “batch” to lean while pioneering team-based procedures that allow each unit to take full ownership of their results. His greatest joy on the job comes from interacting with and inspiring people—empowering them to do their best work. Gary enjoys traveling across the globe to assist organizations in generating newfound outcomes for their machines and their people. A member of the AME Hall of Fame, he also currently serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the Shingo Institute and is a Shingo Examiner. He holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and enjoys basketball, snowboarding, and spending time with his family.
Greg Boswell
Greg Boswell
Executive Vice President, Global Sales
“I believe that being passionate about what you do (or sell) is a key driver of success. We get to help people thrive at work—and that’s easy to be passionate about.” As our Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Greg leads the employee recognition industry’s most capable team of culture-building sales professionals. With responsibility for global sales strategy, Greg helps some of the world’s best companies improve corporate culture to keep their employees inspired and thriving. He believes in being an enthusiastic collaborator, listener, and research-minded strategic partner. Greg has been at O.C. Tanner for over 28 years and has worked in several areas from market research and product management to account development and enterprise sales leadership. This includes 12 years selling SaaS solutions to (and consulting with) top companies in Chicago, where he served on the Chicago SHRM Board of Directors. He was also a founding board member and past president of Recognition Professionals International (RPI). Greg has a degree in marketing and an MBA from the University of Utah.
David Hilton
David Hilton
Executive Vice President, Client Success
“I strongly believe everyone can be a leader. At O.C. Tanner we know leading isn’t about a job title—it’s about creating an environment conducive to innovation and achievement.” After three decades helping hundreds of global and Fortune 500 companies build strong cultures and communities through employee recognition, David is one of the industry’s most trusted subject matter experts. He is passionate about helping companies grow by caring for their people. Over the years, his talent has been tapped by nearly every department at O.C. Tanner, from product development and marketing to IT and customer service. He currently leads our client success team, working to deliver and support the best solutions in the recognition industry. With contagious enthusiasm, David is happiest when helping clients succeed. He takes great satisfaction in helping people thrive—whether they are our clients, their employees, or members of our internal teams. David has a degree in economics from the University of Utah. Outside of work, he is a marathon runner and loves spending time with his family.
Our leaders
Alan Heyward
Alan Heyward
Managing Director, Asia Pacific
Kicking off his career in banking and finance, and later running a retail travel business, Alan has always believed in the importance of a thriving workplace culture. It was his move to an employee recognition and workplace culture organisation in 2006 - now O.C. Tanner - where Alan discovered what it means to be truly inspired by, and connected to, an organisation, its people, and purpose. Prior to assuming the role of Managing Director for the Asia Pacific region, Alan gained an in-depth understanding of the business, market landscape and unique cultural needs of some of Australia's largest organisations via a range of leadership roles encompassing sales, marketing, client service and operations, and innovation. One constant throughout each phase of his career has been his passion for galvanising his teams and leading positive change, which included spearheading the transition of ownership of the Australian business from public to private ownership under O.C. Tanner. Away from work Alan likes to keep fit, spend time with friends, and travel with his family.
Russell Flint
Russell Flint
Director Business Development, Asia Pacific
Every day, Russell helps organisations understand the power of workplace culture and recognition, and shares stories about forward-thinking organisations with inspiring cultures. Joining O.C. Tanner in 2007, Russell has gained an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence culture, and has worked in partnership with a broad range of blue chip and multinational organisations spanning industries such as banking and finance, professional services, energy and resources, government, aviation, retail, healthcare and construction. Russell is credited by colleagues as a team member who lives the values, being truly passionate about the organisation's purpose to help people thrive at work and the powerful impact of employee recognition. Testament to this is his impressive collection of recognition nominator of the month awards, and he's no also stranger to being nominee of the month. Outside of work, Russell spends his weekends with his wife, children and border collie, and his summers opening the batting for his local cricket club (sometimes successfully).
Michelle Noorbergen
Michelle Noorbergen
Director Client Service & Operations, Asia Pacific
Michelle joined O.C. Tanner in 2010, taking on various roles in both the Client Success and Supply Chain teams before assuming leadership of both these business areas. Michelle is a passionate champion for the people in her teams, continually seeking to provide opportunities for growth and development, and ensuring her team members feel connected to organisational purpose and success, as well as to each other. Always curious to understand where a client's challenges lie and deliver solutions that match their needs, Michelle uses her in-depth understanding of all areas of operations, coupled with her partnership approach to client relationships, to deliver excellent outcomes and service. To kick off her professional journey, Michelle completed a Bachelor of Business at Monash University in Melbourne, majoring in Management and Marketing. Outside of work, when she is not occupied being a taxi driver to her 3 children, she enjoys travelling and, when she can, squeezing in a yoga or spin class.
Monique Wylie
Monique Wylie
Finance Director, Asia Pacific
An experienced and passionate finance professional, Monique has found her calling as Finance Director with O.C. Tanner, yet it's a role far removed from her career beginnings. In her first chapter following high school, Monique represented Australia in athletics - a pursuit on theme for Monique, who is well known for her drive, determination, and love of a challenge. Having earned a university scholarship, Monique completed a Masters of Commerce (Accounting and Law), which led to her first corporate role in accounts. She then embarked on a 15-year career journey with Hogg Robinson Group, which took her to Canada in the role of Finance Director - North America, and then back to Australia as Finance Director - APAC. A devoted mum to an Old English Sheepdog called Gizmo, in her spare time Monique regularly visits the gym, enjoys yum cha overlooking the harbour, and treats herself to the occasional Bunnings snag while on a Sunday plant buying spree.
Melissa Nieman
Melissa Nieman
Senior Manager People & Great Work, Asia Pacific
Joining the ranks of the Human Resources profession in 2002, Melissa has gained extensive experience throughout a career spanning industries including publishing, retail and science, while progressing through a range of operational and strategic roles. Melissa is passionate about all things culture and gets a buzz out of seeing employees grow and develop within an organisation. Unflappable and empathetic, she has a holistic, people-focussed approach to HR and considers a continuous improvement mindset essential when it comes to workplace culture. Drawn to the organisation's people-first approach, Melissa joined O.C. Tanner in 2017, and plays a lead role in defining strategies to connect, empower and celebrate employees in a culture-focussed organisation. When she is not helping her O.C. Tanner colleagues thrive at work, Melissa enjoys catching-up with friends, getting a fix of a true crime podcast while out on a walk, and watching her three boys play sport.
Richard Wilkins
Richard Wilkins
Director Marketing and Communications, Asia Pacific
Richard is a storyteller with a passion for workplace culture, leadership, integrated sales and marketing strategy, creative problem-solving and collaboration. Whether dealing with colleagues or clients, everything he does is focused on finding ways to help people thrive at work, and he firmly believes that at the heart of any vibrant culture lie empathy and trust. Since joining O.C. Tanner in 2009, Richard has had the opportunity to witness the powerful impact of employee recognition and appreciation through a number of different lenses, via a range of leadership roles spanning marketing, communications, creative design, campaign management, sales, product and analytics. Richard previously worked for several years in the financial services sector in a range of sales, marketing and communications leadership roles, and when he's not at work you can find him courtside at his son's basketball games or jogging through snake-infested parkland.
Our leaders
Robert Ordever
Robert Ordever
Managing Director O.C. Tanner Europe
Robert Ordever joined O.C. Tanner in August 2014, as our European People and Operations Director. From luxury retail to Premier League football, Robert's operational background has given him a real passion for creating a workplace culture that truly gets the best out of its teams. At O.C. Tanner, his passion and drive helps each of our clients win and remain winners. Outside of work, Robert is a proud Dad and devoted Fulham Football Club fan.
Joanna Morley
Joanna Morley
Finance and Operations Director O.C. Tanner Europe
An executive is only as good as the team she leads. Joanna Morley, our Director of Finance, lives that mantra day-in and day-out at O.C. Tanner Europe. She joined our company with 16 years of experience and an FCCA designation. No task is too big or too small for Joanna. She enjoys working shoulder-to-shoulder with her fellow Appreciateologists and is willing to do what's necessary to get a job done. When she isn't crunching numbers for O.C. Tanner, Joanna spoils her niece and nephew, travels, watches tennis and spends time with friends and family.
David Danzig
David Danzig
Sales Director
David joined O.C Tanner in September 2019 having spent nearly 10 years leading sales teams across various industries. He has a strong background in solution selling as well as developing people and driving growth. Outside of work, David's time is primarily spent with his family, which normally involves dog walking, watching sport or travelling.
Our leaders
Zubin Zack
Zubin Zack
Managing Director, IMEA Region
Zubin is known to thrive in complexity. He is analytical, creative, and loves being amongst people. Zubin's experience is spread across global tech and non-tech businesses in the early set-up phase as well as mature proven business models. He loves watching videos and getting into discussions on future technologies, global markets, and consumer trends. He learns best by watching the many interviews, documentaries, and stories on global leaders and businesses. He believes all of this helps him construe towards leading people, businesses, developing strategies, and identifying the unarticulated needs of customers. Before O.C. Tanner, Zubin was the Vice President of Sales and Account Management for South Asia at First Advantage Corporation. Zubin is a Production Engineer, an MBA, a Diploma in Advertising and PR from Mumbai.
Rams Maddali
Rams Maddali
Vice President – India Technology Centre
Rams is a Digital Transformation Leader & Tech Evangelist with a reputation of over 20 years in executing a comprehensive technology strategies that align with business goals and accelerates growth plans. He specializes in driving technological innovation through AI-powered product innovation, software development, and IT infrastructure, thus enabling organizations to achieve their business goals through cutting-edge technology solutions. His forte is the adoption of the most effective strategies for creating innovative AI/ML applications and platforms that will drive the future. As a distinguished writer, orator & presenter, he is an advisor for Universities and Talent Hubs and has been a driving force for many academic institutions. His mantra ""Aggressive in Execution"" is a hallmark, which is distinctly visible in all his undertakings, from accelerating futuristic technology adoption to cost and resource optimization with world-class delivery. He fosters a breed of self-propelled leaders who excel in whatever they do and creates a healthy environment that helps people thrive at work.
Karan Bhasin
Karan Bhasin
Director – Sales
Karan heads the Sales function for India. He helps organizations to understand the power of workplace culture and the benefits of fostering a culture of appreciation. Karan is an expert who comes with knowledge in multiple facets of HR Technology. He orchestrates across stakeholders -internal and external - to deliver on commitments and inspires his team to run the extra mile assuring and embodying the "Make it Happen" attitude. Coming with the enriching experience of working with Dale Carnegie, Karan understands the pulse of people development and its importance in organizations. When he is not busy with business, he loves spending some fun time with his wife and his little daughter.
Bhabani Panda
Bhabani Panda
Director – Product & Software Engineering
With 10+ years of experience in the HR Technology industry, Bhabani's expertise lies in designing and delivering successful SaaS products. He has been part of the leadership team at Kwench building a successful recognition product from scratch which was acquired by O.C. Tanner in 2019. He is a strategic thinker and the brain behind the IT development for Thanks. At O.C. Tanner he leads Thanks Product & Engineering teams and focuses on providing an excellent user experience. He leads the team efficiently and loves to contribute and make a valuable difference. He holds a B. Tech degree in Computer science Engineering. When he's not at work, Bhabani loves to take long walks, cook, or binge-watch his favorite shows.
Sweta Vora
Sweta Vora
Head – Finance
Sweta is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of cross-functional experience in Accounts and Finance. She is an enterprising leader with a strong track record of conceptualizing, implementing, and streamlining Finance and Accounts policies, procedures, and operations. She has in-depth knowledge and experience in IGAAP Accounting Standards and Indian Standards of Auditing, Taxation, and Transfer Pricing. Skilled at initiating discussions with clients to gain a better understanding of business units and identify potential areas of audit impact, Sweta has also proven to invigorate businesses and enhance productivity for internal controls. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, listening to music, and spending time with her family. She is a Bollywood movie enthusiast and takes every opportunity to participate in and give back to society.
Jayalata Shetty
Jayalata Shetty
Director – Client Success
Jaya has over 24 years of experience in driving exceptional client satisfaction and establishing long-term relationships. She has also gained expertise in people management, operational excellence, and global client management. Her experience involves developing recognition and engagement strategies tailored to the needs of diverse industries, leading to enhanced innovation, creativity, and performance. She oversees strategic initiatives and builds long-term partnerships with a dedicated team to deliver top-tier customer service, manage accounts, and implement data-driven insights. Managing complex projects, continuous improvement, and nurturing positive client relationships are among her greatest strengths. She is a mentor with an extensive experience in dynamic environments, approaching her work with a sense of mission and a global perspective. Thanks to her integrity and sense of purpose, Jaya can adapt to working in various professional environments. Her hobbies include traveling, listening to music, and mentoring young professionals. Additionally, she is also an avid traveler and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Shashin Jain
Shashin Jain
Director – Supply Chain & Client Operations
With over 20 years of experience, Shashin has successfully driven multi-channel retail initiatives and e-commerce strategies for both startups and established corporations. His expertise encompasses Buying and Merchandising, E-commerce Operations, Global Collaboration, Vendor Management, and Client Operations. In his current role, Shashin oversees Supply Chain and Client Operations for the IMEA region and leads the Global Capability Centre (GCC), which supports O.C. Tanner’s international offices. His leadership has been instrumental in developing go-to-market strategies, building profitable businesses from the ground up, and enhancing global capabilities to serve both local and multinational clients. In a matrix organization, Shashin excels in strategic problem-solving, global collaboration, and stakeholder management. He leverages analytical insights and meticulous planning to deliver high-value outcomes that significantly impact business growth and scalability. He emphasizes integrating technology with robust operational frameworks to create lean processes, believing in building scalable businesses with efficiency. With a unique blend of strategic insight and financial acumen, supported by dual MBA degrees in Marketing and Finance along with advanced leadership certifications, Shashin navigates complex international markets with ease. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with family, playing chess, listening to podcasts, and taking walks.
Maria Quadros
Maria Quadros
Head – Customer Success
Maria brings 22 years of experience in crafting and implementing strategies to drive customer retention and build lasting business relationships in dynamic environments. She has a strong background in designing, building and enhancing employee recognition and engagement strategies ensuring customer delight, thus creating a strong and loyal customer base globally. As a strategic leader with deep expertise in client service, Maria oversees operational initiatives, strengthens client relationships, and leads a team dedicated to helping customers succeed and maximize the value of products and services. She works cross-functionally to champion customer needs, driving continuous improvement. Her focus is on innovation, delivering strong ROI, and achieving operational excellence in consulting and issue management. In her free time, Maria enjoys countryside travel, listening to worship music, spending time with family and friends, and binge-watching shows.
Tejas Fulmali
Tejas Fulmali
Head – Marketing and Communications
With 10+ years of rich experience in Sales and Marketing, Tejas has excellent expertise in crafting evocative customer-centric marketing and sales campaigns for companies spread across the Consumer Durables, Hospitality, and Real Estate industry. He is passionate about creating buyer personas and understanding consumer buying triggers. In addition, he thrives while developing comprehensive product and customer journey roadmaps. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a postgraduate degree in Management & Business. When he is not working, he likes to spend time with his family or enjoys watching a football game with friends.
Candida Fernandez
Candida Fernandez
Director – People & Great Work
Candida heads the People & Great Work/Facilities function and focuses on practices that contribute to strengthening the workforce through culture. She spent her first 7 years in the Middle East (Qatar) working in the Oil and Gas industry. With over 11 years of extensive HR Generalist experience across domestics and international enterprises as well as a wide spectrum of industries ranging from Oil & Gas, Recruitment consulting, Non-banking Finance, and the IT Services sector. Her passion is to enable people to connect with their purpose on the job and off the job. She finds it fulfilling to be a part of people's success stories and contribute to it in the smallest way. When not at work, she enjoys all genres of music and loves doing her rendition of some of her all-time favorites.
Shivani Chaturvedi Kashikar
Shivani Chaturvedi Kashikar
Regional Legal Counsel & Company Secretary
Shivani is a qualified Law graduate and an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.Her diverse experience in law and business consistently shows in her efficiency to lead the role of legal advisor for O.C. Tanner IMEA and some other international regions. With 12+ years of experience with companies like Hermes India, Wadhwa Group, and YOU Broadband; she brings to the table the expertise of commercial contract drafting and negotiations, compliance management, risk analysis, cross functional collaboration, policy formation and the ability to translate the complex legal provisions into practice and communicate it to local and global stakeholders.She is also involved in strategic business discussions. She is highly efficient and detail-oriented in her job. Outside work she enjoys reading and traveling.
Our leaders
Alan Heyward
Alan Heyward
Managing Director, Asia Pacific
Kicking off his career in banking and finance, and later running a retail travel business, Alan has always believed in the importance of a thriving workplace culture. It was his move to an employee recognition and workplace culture organisation in 2006 - now O.C. Tanner - where Alan discovered what it means to be truly inspired by, and connected to, an organisation, its people, and purpose. Prior to assuming the role of Managing Director for the Asia Pacific region, Alan gained an in-depth understanding of the business, market landscape and unique cultural needs of some of Australia's largest organisations via a range of leadership roles encompassing sales, marketing, client service and operations, and innovation. One constant throughout each phase of his career has been his passion for galvanising his teams and leading positive change, which included spearheading the transition of ownership of the Australian business from public to private ownership under O.C. Tanner. Away from work Alan likes to keep fit, spend time with friends, and travel with his family.
Russell Flint
Russell Flint
Director Business Development, Asia Pacific
Every day, Russell helps organisations understand the power of workplace culture and recognition, and shares stories about forward-thinking organisations with inspiring cultures. Joining O.C. Tanner in 2007, Russell has gained an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence culture, and has worked in partnership with a broad range of blue chip and multinational organisations spanning industries such as banking and finance, professional services, energy and resources, government, aviation, retail, healthcare and construction. Russell is credited by colleagues as a team member who lives the values, being truly passionate about the organisation's purpose to help people thrive at work and the powerful impact of employee recognition. Testament to this is his impressive collection of recognition nominator of the month awards, and he's no also stranger to being nominee of the month. Outside of work, Russell spends his weekends with his wife, children and border collie, and his summers opening the batting for his local cricket club (sometimes successfully).
Michelle Noorbergen
Michelle Noorbergen
Director Client Service & Operations, Asia Pacific
Michelle joined O.C. Tanner in 2010, taking on various roles in both the Client Success and Supply Chain teams before assuming leadership of both these business areas. Michelle is a passionate champion for the people in her teams, continually seeking to provide opportunities for growth and development, and ensuring her team members feel connected to organisational purpose and success, as well as to each other. Always curious to understand where a client's challenges lie and deliver solutions that match their needs, Michelle uses her in-depth understanding of all areas of operations, coupled with her partnership approach to client relationships, to deliver excellent outcomes and service. To kick off her professional journey, Michelle completed a Bachelor of Business at Monash University in Melbourne, majoring in Management and Marketing. Outside of work, when she is not occupied being a taxi driver to her 3 children, she enjoys travelling and, when she can, squeezing in a yoga or spin class.
Monique Wylie
Monique Wylie
Finance Director, Asia Pacific
An experienced and passionate finance professional, Monique has found her calling as Finance Director with O.C. Tanner, yet it's a role far removed from her career beginnings. In her first chapter following high school, Monique represented Australia in athletics - a pursuit on theme for Monique, who is well known for her drive, determination, and love of a challenge. Having earned a university scholarship, Monique completed a Masters of Commerce (Accounting and Law), which led to her first corporate role in accounts. She then embarked on a 15-year career journey with Hogg Robinson Group, which took her to Canada in the role of Finance Director - North America, and then back to Australia as Finance Director - APAC. A devoted mum to an Old English Sheepdog called Gizmo, in her spare time Monique regularly visits the gym, enjoys yum cha overlooking the harbour, and treats herself to the occasional Bunnings snag while on a Sunday plant buying spree.
Melissa Nieman
Melissa Nieman
Senior Manager People & Great Work, Asia Pacific
Joining the ranks of the Human Resources profession in 2002, Melissa has gained extensive experience throughout a career spanning industries including publishing, retail and science, while progressing through a range of operational and strategic roles. Melissa is passionate about all things culture and gets a buzz out of seeing employees grow and develop within an organisation. Unflappable and empathetic, she has a holistic, people-focussed approach to HR and considers a continuous improvement mindset essential when it comes to workplace culture. Drawn to the organisation's people-first approach, Melissa joined O.C. Tanner in 2017, and plays a lead role in defining strategies to connect, empower and celebrate employees in a culture-focussed organisation. When she is not helping her O.C. Tanner colleagues thrive at work, Melissa enjoys catching-up with friends, getting a fix of a true crime podcast while out on a walk, and watching her three boys play sport.
Richard Wilkins
Richard Wilkins
Director Marketing and Communications, Asia Pacific
Richard is a storyteller with a passion for workplace culture, leadership, integrated sales and marketing strategy, creative problem-solving and collaboration. Whether dealing with colleagues or clients, everything he does is focused on finding ways to help people thrive at work, and he firmly believes that at the heart of any vibrant culture lie empathy and trust. Since joining O.C. Tanner in 2009, Richard has had the opportunity to witness the powerful impact of employee recognition and appreciation through a number of different lenses, via a range of leadership roles spanning marketing, communications, creative design, campaign management, sales, product and analytics. Richard previously worked for several years in the financial services sector in a range of sales, marketing and communications leadership roles, and when he's not at work you can find him courtside at his son's basketball games or jogging through snake-infested parkland.
Our leaders
Jennifer Gates
Jennifer Gates
Directrice générale et directrice de l’exploitation, Canada
Douée pour les chiffres et source d’inspiration, Jennifer Gates dirige les efforts déployés au Canada en matière de finance, de production, d’achat, de service à la clientèle et de ressources humaines. Reconnaissant l’importance de bien outiller les employés afin qu’ils atteignent l’excellence dans leur travail, favoriser leur autonomie est un principe auquel elle adhère pleinement. Jennifer Gates est titulaire d’une maîtrise en administration des affaires (MBA) de l’Université McMaster et a reçu son accréditation de comptable générale accréditée (CGA). Lorsqu’elle ne coordonne pas les opérations à Burlington, elle privilégie les moments en famille avec son mari et leurs deux enfants.
Ed Galasso
Ed Galasso
Vice-président, Ventes et marketing
Ed est un leader positif et progressiste qui partage sa passion, son énergie et son engagement avec son équipe et ses clients. Il tire parti de sa grande expérience en finances et en gestion des affaires pour aider les clients à atteindre leurs objectifs de reconnaissance des employés. Avant de se joindre à O.C. Tanner à titre de vice-président des Ventes et du marketing, Ed occupait les fonctions de vice-président et directeur général national chez Tech Data Canada. Ed est diplômé de l’Université Laurentienne de Sudbury, où il a obtenu un baccalauréat spécialisé en sciences commerciales, et a reçu le titre de comptable professionnel agréé. Ed et son épouse ont deux enfants et vivent à Mississauga, Ontario.
Global leaders
Stephen Tanner Irish
Stephen Tanner Irish
Chairman of the Board
Stephen first joined the Board of Directors over 30 years ago with the primary qualification of having studied philosophy, a credential that meant something to his grandfather Obert C. Tanner. He has a deep appreciation for the importance of a strong workplace culture in the success of organizations. Stephen is committed to continuing the philanthropic legacy of the company and has served as a trustee of the Tanner Lectures on Human Values for over 20 years. In addition to serving on our Board of Directors he also teaches in the philosophy department at the University of Utah and continues his research and writing in the history of science. Stephen studied philosophy at Stanford and earned a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science from Cambridge.
Dave Petersen
Dave Petersen
Vice Chair of the Board
Dave arrived at O.C. Tanner offering his services without a job interview or offer. If the company wasn't pleased after a month's work (without pay), he'd pack his things. 40 years later Dave has worked in several teams across the organization including sales, supply chain, client relations, and operations—all with the goal of helping people thrive at work. Dave also spent over 14 years serving on the boards of multiple community organizations ranging from United Way of Salt Lake to the Utah Opera to One Refugee. He earned a bachelor's degree in international business from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management.
Scott Sperry
Scott Sperry
President & Chief Executive Officer
“O.C. Tanner’s unique approach to recognition helps people lead in the most powerful way—as servants and stewards with a great responsibility to their organizations, employees, customers, and communities.” Scott believes passionately in O.C. Tanner’s purpose to “help people thrive at work.” He understands the important role a leader plays in defining a company’s vision, values, and strategy. But at the end of the day, he knows that people matter most. Scott was named as President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2022. Prior to this, he served as O.C. Tanner’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Controller. Before joining O.C. Tanner in 2003, Scott was with KPMG and Arthur Andersen for eleven years providing audit, business advisory, and M&A professional services. He prioritizes serving his community and is currently on the executive committee of the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Salt Lake. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Utah.
Scott Archibald
Scott Archibald
Chief Operating Officer
“One question drives everything I do for my team and our clients: ‘How can we use data to be smarter?’ It’s about using data to generate helpful insights—the kind that result in better decisions and inspire positive action.” As Chief Operating Officer, Scott is always ready to listen, learn, and pull the story out of the details. He understands the power of data to help organizations make better decisions. Scott considers it an honor to help both our internal teams and our clients achieve more by sharing data-driven insights that solve real problems. When Scott joined O.C. Tanner over 14 years ago he brought with him a wealth of experience from both the private industry and public accounting—he worked in a range of roles including Vice President of Finance, controller, and auditor. A certified public accountant, Scott has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Utah. Outside of work, he gets the most joy from spending time with his wife and their five children.
Giving back
Our founder, Obert C. Tanner, measured the company’s success by asking his accountant, “What’s our giveability this month?” His intention echoes in our hearts and halls today. It’s why we donate our time to organizations in need, our effort to improve our communities, and 10% of company profits to philanthropic causes.
Tanner’s charitable strategy is to support the environment, arts, education, children, and organizations that are meaningful to its employees—all things that are important to the organization and what it stands for.
Corporate giving includes:
The Tanner Lectures on Human Values provides an endowment gift to Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and the universities of Utah, Michigan, and University of California at Berkeley.
Our Tanner Cares program offers financial assistance to employees in times of extreme need, with the company matching employee donations dollar for dollar.
The Tanner Gift of Music gifts 44,000 complimentary tickets to a two-night concert series featuring the Utah Symphony, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and guest soloists such as James Taylor, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Megan Hilty.