AppDirect Honored as One of Canada's Healthiest Workplaces for 2026

Doing your best work begins with being your best self

We’re thrilled to announce that AppDirect has been named one of Canada’s Healthiest Workplaces for 2026 by Dialogue, Canada's leading virtual healthcare and wellness provider. This award recognizes standout organizations across Canada that push the boundaries and lead the way in building healthier, happier teams, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to fostering a culture of wellness and providing comprehensive support for their employees' health and well-being.

“This recognition is a proud moment for all of us at AppDirect and reinforces what we fundamentally believe: that doing your best work begins with being your best self,” said Deb Tenenbaum, AppDirect Chief People Officer. “We’re committed to fostering an environment where individuals can grow, thrive, and bring their whole selves to work.”

With less than 1% of Dialogue’s clients and partners awarded this recognition, this is a celebration of organizational commitment to improve Canadian health and well-being.

This award follows an earlier recognition by Newsweek of AppDirect as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters 2024.

Why recognizing organizational excellence in employee well-being matters

Employees across industries are facing increasing well-being challenges, with mental health, financial stability, and work-life balance under growing strain, according to Dialogue. In 2025:

• 30% of Canadian employees reported a decline in their mental health

• Over a quarter (26%) experienced worsening sleep issues

• 23% reported reduced physical activity, contributing to their mental health challenges

These trends highlight the growing need for employers to take a proactive role in supporting employee well-being, including through employee assistance programs and wellness resources, which over 70% of HR professionals say have a positive impact on employee engagement, absenteeism, and retention.

How AppDirect champions employee well-being

Supporting workplace well-being means going beyond introducing initiatives. It means embedding them into workplace practices, measuring progress, and building a culture where employees feel supported over the long term. It encompasses mental health support, physical wellness programs, and work-life balance initiatives

Supporting our mission to put people first: Be seen, be yourself, do your best work

“This recognition is a proud moment for all of us at AppDirect and reinforces what we fundamentally believe: that doing your best work begins with being your best self," —Deb Tenenbaum, Chief People Officer, AppDirect

At AppDirect, we believe in enabling our team to be physically and mentally fit so they can be their best selves and achieve their best work. We call this Peak Performance.

The program is built on four core pillars:

• Mind—Conditioning your brain to maximize its efficiency and health through focused mental energy and a positive mindset

• Body—Optimizing your physical self through a healthy approach to sleep, nutrition, and exercise

• Spirit—Nurturing your emotional well-being through activities like social connection and mindfulness

• Habits—Making small, 1% improvements in our habits every day to achieve remarkable results, creating a framework for continuous improvement

Putting our philosophy into practice

To bring the Peak Performance philosophy to life, AppDirect has developed a range of programs and resources that embed well-being into company culture. These initiatives are designed to be engaging, accessible, and driven by our team's needs.

For example:

• A global network of Peak Champions—These employee volunteers act as local well-being ambassadors, connecting their colleagues to resources and championing a culture of health in their regions.

• Inspiring Peak Performance events—AppDirect regularly hosts events like the popular March Movement, a month-long movement challenge where employees connect and compete, and Find Your Peak Month, featuring sessions with thought leaders ranging from mindfulness experts to Olympic gold medal athletes who share their strategies for success.

• Peer-to-peer learning and growth—Teams are empowered to host their own sessions on topics they're passionate about. Recent examples include workshops on the professional benefits of reading, practical strategies for managing anxiety, and navigating imposter syndrome.

A proactive approach to mental wellness: The Headspace Partnership

“We’re committed to fostering an environment where individuals can grow, thrive, and bring their whole selves to work.” —Deb Tenenbaum

A cornerstone of the company’s award-winning Peak Performance philosophy is its proactive and accessible approach to mental health, brought to life for employees through a strategic partnership with Headspace, a global leader in the mindfulness and meditation digital wellness space.

This initiative directly supports every pillar of the Peak Performance framework by integrating mental well-being into the daily fabric of employee life.

Based on the knowledge that it takes a community for an employee to flourish, AppDirect pays for premium access to the Headspace app for every employee and up to five family or friends. Monthly campaigns and challenges include featured courses on the platform, regularly recognizing AppDirectors who achieve key milestones and become members of our “Club Peak”.

Headspace provides proactive solutions to manage stress, improve focus, and build mental resilience before challenges arise through byte-sized learning sessions like:

• Guided meditations for stress, focus, and productivity

• Sleepcasts and bedtime audio for restful nights

• Bite-sized videos for daily inspiration

• Music and meditations designed to get you in the zone

• Quick workouts and guided cardio for body and mind

By investing in on-demand, preventative resources for mindfulness, sleep, and mental clarity, the company showcases a deep commitment to the holistic well-being of its workforce. This forward-thinking strategy was recognized by the award committee as a leading example of how modern employers can create a supportive environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.

Alongside our core values, these programs cultivate a vibrant and inclusive culture. Our goal is for every team member, regardless of their location, to feel a strong sense of belonging and purpose. We are passionate about promoting holistic well-being and building a workplace where everyone can flourish.

“This recognition is a testament to our belief that business performance starts with our AppDirectors,” said Tenenbaum. “Through our Peak Performance initiative, we’ve created an environment where employees can thrive across mind, body, spirit, and habits. We’re proud to see that commitment recognized on a national stage.”

“We want to extend a huge thank you to our entire team. Their feedback and engagement are what make AppDirect a truly great place to work. This award belongs to all of them!”

About the Healthiest Workplace award

Awardees are selected based on several key criteria, including deep engagement with Dialogue’s services as evidenced by high registration and utilization rates, and exceptional well-being scores as measured against World Health Organization benchmarks. “With less than 1% of Dialogue’s clients and partners awarded this recognition, this is a celebration of organizational commitment to improve Canadian health and well-being.”

Dialogue’s selection process is based on a thorough evaluation of company-wide practices and an anonymous survey of employees, focusing on key pillars of a healthy workplace. These pillars include:

• Mental and psychological health—Creating a supportive and psychologically safe environment.

• Work-life balance—Offering flexibility and resources to help employees manage their personal and professional lives

• Physical well-being—Providing benefits and programs that support employees' physical health

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion—Building a culture where every employee feels valued and has a sense of belonging

“Last year, we launched these awards to elevate the conversation around workplace well-being. This year, we’re seeing measurable progress.” says Marc Robin, Medical Director of Dialogue.

“Our 2026 winners are leading with a prevention-focused approach to workforce health. Investing in well-being improves employee health and strengthens long-term resilience. We’re proud to recognize employers who are setting that standard.”

Read more

Read about Newsweek's recognition of AppDirect as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters 2024.