For more than 100 years, CSA Group has helped make the world safer and more sustainable through standards development. Working with more than 10,000 volunteer members, CSA Group helps develop standards in a broad range of interconnected sectors ranging from Health Care & Well Being to Nuclear. These standards development teams are led by sector leaders, like Susan Oh, who are focused on making sure CSA Group standards meet the growing and evolving needs of Canadians.

1. Describe your CSA Group career journey.
   

   After working in both the automotive and electronic manufacturing industries, I joined CSA Group in 2009 as a Project Manager for the Nuclear standards program, managing committees and standards development efforts that support the safe and reliable operations of nuclear facilities across Canada. I progressed from that role to Program Manager, overseeing the Nuclear program team, while expanding my responsibility to also cover the Oil and Gas program. For the past three years, I have been the Standards Director, for both Power Generation and Petroleum & Natural Gas, where I am focused on providing leadership and strategic direction to both sectors.

2. What is a typical day at work like for you?
   

   My day is usually filled with lots of meetings. This includes communications with my team or other staff to discuss major projects, critical program issues, and sector activities. I also engage with external stakeholders, members or industry stakeholders, to progress sector related matters. When I’m not tied up in meetings, I find time to work on key strategies and projects, or try to catch up on the latest news and events happening in the energy sector.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of your role at CSA Group?
   

   The most rewarding aspect of my role is working with passionate people.

   Standards simply can’t be developed without the support, dedication and contribution of our members who have a passion for advancing standards. It’s inspiring to work with these diverse stakeholders, across all walks of lives, who volunteer their time and share their expertise.

   I also count myself very lucky to work with the talented internal staff at CSA Group, from my team to the many other colleagues that are part of the organization, including executive leadership, other sector directors and their teams and the many functions that support our work.

4. If you could describe working at CSA Group in one word, what would it be? Why?
   

   Collaborative. Many of my experiences at CSA Group are, and continue to be, centered around teamwork, relationships and working together with staff, members and stakeholders to achieve common goals.

   From managing standards development that require consensus building and participation of diverse experts across Canada, to exploring new standards opportunities that align with the common interest of the sector, working at CSA Group is all about collaborating with others to achieve success.

5. Why is CSA Group a great place to work?
   

   I believe CSA Group provides a very positive work culture. What I remember most about my first few years working at CSA was the diversity of our organization. I am encouraged that this continues to be a focus today.

   Additionally, CSA provides a supportive and flexible atmosphere. Regardless of my role, I have always felt valued for my ideas and contributions. I can openly express my views and ask for feedback. At an organizational level, this is also evident through the various employee engagement activities that focus on listening to and responding to matters important to staff.

CSA Group’s U.S. headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio provides testing, inspection and certification services to manufacturers across a wide variety of industries including household appliances, automotive components, batteries, plumbing and health products. With new products coming to market every day, it is exciting and challenging work that demands commitment to excellence. A stickler for detail, Business Manager, Mark Knaus embodies CSA’s mandate to hold the future to a higher standard.

1. Describe your CSA Group career journey.
   

   My CSA Group journey has been rewarding and a little bit unexpected. I originally joined the organization in 2007 as a Technical Writer after six-and-a- half years working in media as a Principal Editor with a Master’s Degree in English. My primary duties were to research requirements for products that were being tested and review reports going to clients. Without an engineering background, this role proved to be very formative to my journey at CSA Group as our engineers and technicians allowed me to draw on their knowledge and experience. I will be forever grateful for their patience and willingness to teach me.

   After three years, I was promoted to Product Group Manager. Putting the knowledge I gained as a Technical Writer to good use, my primary responsibility was to manage the day-to-day delivery of quality-based product evaluation programs, ensuring that projects were delivered on time and within targets. In 2017, I stepped into my current role as Business Manager where I lead CSA’s Consumer Product Evaluation team.

2. What is a typical day at work like for you?
   

   My days can vary quite a bit, but there are a few staples that remain the same. A typical day involves meeting with my team and clients, reviewing financial information and leading business planning, including working with our marketing team.

   I also occasionally have the privilege of blending my hobby of photography with work and am often the official photographer of CSA events.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of your role at CSA Group?
   

   There are two core elements that really stand out for me: CSA Group’s commitment to continuous learning and development and our dedication to delivering high-quality work to clients.

4. If you could describe working at CSA Group in one word, what would it be? Why?
   

   It’s difficult to choose just one word! Service. Giving. Improvement. I think the connotation between these three words best represent CSA Group’s vision to “hold the future to a higher standard.”

5. Why is CSA Group a great place to work?
   

   Personally, I’m motivated by a sense of deeper purpose, and CSA Group provides that to me. Our services represent progress and safety, and collectively I think our people are attracted to these values. For me, this dedication is most clear in the high number of lifelong employees that can be found around the world.

Singapore’s modern and multicultural metropolis is one of Southeast Asia’s most recognized financial, technology and manufacturing hubs, and it is also the location of CSA Group’s Singapore laboratory. Localized testing and certification, delivered by trained experts, helps customers throughout Asia bring their products to market. Solutions-driven customer service is something that CSA Group’s Technical Specialist CheeBeng Wai prides himself on delivering every day.

1. Describe your CSA Group career journey.
   

   I joined CSA Group in August 2017 as a Certifier. In this role, I was responsible for testing a wide variety of products to help ensure they met the applicable standards requirements for safety and performance. Using the skills I gained as a Certifier, I then took the next step in my CSA Group career and became a Technical Specialist where I use my technical expertise to guide our team and help ensure that CSA Group’s unwavering commitment to consistency and quality is upheld.

2. What is a typical day at work like for you?
   

   No two days are exactly alike, and I think that is because every project is so unique. I work very closely with my colleagues to review and assess new and prospective projects. As CSA Group is a global organization, I am fortunate to have access to a network of skilled colleagues to collaborate with and who support me with complex challenges when they arise. On a typical day, I also spend quite a bit of time working directly with customers.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of your role at CSA Group?
   

   The most rewarding aspect of my role is helping customers navigate the very complex world of product compliance. There is nothing more satisfying than when a customer compliments and thanks us for going above and beyond to make the testing and certification process easier for them.

4. If you could describe working at CSA Group in one word, what would it be? Why?
   

   Challenging. CSA Group attracts professionals who are committed to continuous learning, growth and development. Each day, I feel motivated and challenged to show up and do my best.

5. Why is CSA Group a great place to work?
   

   CSA Group is values-driven organization that puts employees first. This commitment was demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when our leadership provided unparalleled support for employees. Through regular weekly and quarterly updates to prioritizing the physical and mental health of employees through the introduction of helpful policies and resources, the organization went out of its way to support the well-being and working experience of all employees and their families.