Astoria Asset Management provides a workplace of individuality, encouragement and support.

“Astoria deserves this award because they foster a workplace environment that allows for individuality and personal growth as well as supporting their staff loyally through life and work challenges,” says Renee Doucette, property manager at Astoria.

Lorelei Talbot, owner and broker for Astoria, says everyone has challenges in life and when she can support them to become better in the workplace, or in life in general, she does.

“This is important to me because so many women have been held back in their lives and don’t know how great they are. Owning Astoria has enabled me to empower women to see beyond life as it is to what life could be,” she says.

“I see the strengths in people, and I empower them to see their strengths for themselves.”

She says Astoria has an education program where staff is encouraged to take part in industry courses as well as personal growth seminars. Astoria also offers staff paid days off to volunteer within the community.

Talbot says, as a local business owner, it is important to give back to the community. The company’s largest and most well-known contribution is the Astoria Annual Charity Golf Tournament, which has raised more than $300,000 for Airdrie Food Bank over the past 12 years.

“Astoria would not be here without the community. Airdrie has supported me and Astoria in so many ways, so giving back is the right thing to do,” she says.