For the third consecutive year, the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority is honored to be acknowledged as one of Canada’s Top Employers for 2024

  • Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority recognized for 3rd year as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers
  • 17th annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers
  • Recognizes employers in the Hamilton-Niagara area that lead their industry, offering an exceptional place to work
A group photo of HOPA Ports employees.

Hamilton, ON – For the third consecutive year, Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) has been recognized as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for 2024.

The distinction recognizes HOPA Ports’ commitment to leadership in the marine industry, offering multimodal assets in Hamilton, Oshawa and Niagara, while also supporting employee development and local charitable organizations.

“We’re thrilled to be named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for the third consecutive year,” said Larissa Fenn, VP of Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports. “Every member of our team makes a contribution to Canada’s economy and the stewardship of working waterfronts in our Great Lakes port cities.”

HOPA Ports was also selected for its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and innovative workplace environment.

“More than an award, this is a celebration of our remarkable employees who show up everyday, inspired and motivated, to make HOPA Ports an extraordinary place to work,” continued Fenn.

“Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers recognize that their employees have lives outside of work and understand the importance of accommodating employees when extra flexibility is needed,” adds Kristina Leung, managing editor at Mediacorp. “Whether it’s allowing staff to leave early some days or adjusting work schedules so they can complete an academic course or skills development program, this year’s Hamilton-Niagara winners lead the way in creating better workplaces in a region that’s outperforming most of the province.”

Employers were evaluated by the editors recognizing employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies in the Hamilton-Niagara area. Editors at Mediacorp review employers on eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the project’s inception.

Learn more about why HOPA was selected HERE

 About Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority

As an integrated port network, the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa and Niagara. An efficient, multimodal network on the Great Lakes, it supports Ontario industries and facilitate trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, HOPA helps build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities. Overseeing more than 1,000 acres and more than 140 tenant companies, 40,000 Ontario jobs are connected to the cargo that passes through HOPA’s integrated ports.

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For more information, please contact:

Kelly Noseworthy
Communications Advisor
[email protected]

Stay connected:

Facebook: @HamiltonOshawaPortAuthority
Instagram: @hopaports
Twitter: @HOPAPorts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheHamiltonPort
Blog: https://www.hopaports.ca/author/hopa/
#HOPAPorts

Renee Bulger, CPA, CGA

Vice President, Finance

Renee assumed the role of Vice President, Finance after having served as Director of Finance since 2023.

Renee joined the Hamilton Port Authority in 2006 as a General Accountant and was promoted to Controller in 2018. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Conservation Foundation from 2017 to 2020.

Renee received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for communications and government relations, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and corporate culture.

Previous positions included communications and public policy roles at the Canadian Bankers Association, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and the Regional Municipality of Halton.

Larissa holds a B.A.(Hons) in Political Science from Queen’s University. She holds the APR designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society, and completed the Senior Public Sector Leaders program at the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business. Larissa has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and as a member of the Policy Council of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Fitzgerald

Vice President, Strategic Development

Bill assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Development in 2024, after having served as HOPA’s Vice President, Operations since 2008.

Bill joined the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority in July 1995 as Project Engineer. He previously worked with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa’s Transportation Department, as well as for the Toronto Transit Commission and the City of Waterloo.

Bill received a Bachelor of Applied Science, civil engineering / water resources, in 1995 from the University of Waterloo and registered with the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1997.

Jeremy Dunn

Vice President, Operations

Jeremy assumed the role of Vice President, Operations in 2024 after having served as HOPA’s Commercial Vice President since 2019. Prior to joining HOPA, Jeremy served in successive leadership roles at The Miller Group, one of Canada’s leading transportation construction and infrastructure maintenance companies. Jeremy has managed multiple business groups in the heavy construction, asphalt paving and aggregates sectors driving results through business restructuring, service improvement and strategic growth. In his most recent role, Jeremy served as General Manager of Miller Maintenance, responsible for managing and growing Miller’s highway maintenance business in Ontario.

Previous to The Miller Group, Jeremy held the position of Director of Operations for the Dunn Group of Companies.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) through Queen’s University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Janet Knight

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer for the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority since 2008, Janet joined the HPA in 1998 as Accounting Supervisor and subsequently served as Controller.

Prior to joining the HPA, Janet held the position of Financial Analyst with St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as various positions, including Marketing Communications/Research Lead with Zeneca Agro. Janet graduated from McMaster University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Commerce. She attained the professional designation of Certified Management Accountant in 1992.

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO

Ian Hamilton is President & CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd. Ian is Chairperson of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and holds positions on various other boards, including: the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training.

Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.