Office address: 401 9th Avenue Southwest, Suite 309, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3C5
Website: www.sisystems.com
Year established: 1994
Company type: staffing and recruiting
Employees: 400+
Expertise: IT staffing, recruiting, payroll, business intelligence, database administration, ERP, GIS, management consultant, public sector, healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, financial services, education, natural resources, systems integrators and consulting, utilities, retail, engineering and construction
Parent company: Cornell Capital and TorQuest Partners
Key people: Traci Fiatte Thomas (CEO), Derek Bullen (executive chairman), Leonie Tyler (president), Ed Malysa (CFO), Jeff Cartwright (CRO and SVP), Jane Hein (SVP), Brian Brady (SVP)
Financing status: private equity-backed
S.i. Systems, headquartered in Alberta, is a leading IT staffing agency with over 400 employees, operating across Canada, the U.S., and India. They provide contract staffing, direct hire services, and professional IT consulting, backed by a 300,000-member network. With 15,000 completed assignments and a 99% placement success rate, they prioritize strong client relationships for better staffing outcomes.
S.i. Systems was founded in 1985 as Sharper Image Oil and Gas Computer Systems Limited by Derek Bullen. In 1991, the company rebranded and began expanding rapidly, launching its Calgary office in 1994 and entering Toronto’s IT market in 2004. To enhance scalability, they established the Chennai Tech Centre in 2006 and acquired Datalist and Maxim Group in 2010.
Their Toronto presence grew in 2014 with the acquisition of Nexstaff and Redwood Global. In 2021, they expanded further with the acquisition of Annex Consulting in Vancouver, growing 10% despite global disruption. By 2022, it became Canada’s largest IT staffing firm, backed by investments from Cornell Capital and TorQuest, and acquiring Eagle and xiBOSS Corporation.
The company offers various staffing and consulting services to meet diverse client needs, including:
contract staffing: provides temporary IT staffing for organizations needing short-term technical expertise
direct hire services: helps companies build permanent teams by recruiting and vetting top talent for long-term roles
contractor payroll services: manages payroll, tax, and administrative tasks for IT contractors on behalf of clients
professional services SOW: delivers IT consulting services using a structured statement of work (SOW) for specific project needs
S.i. PODs: curated teams of IT professionals with specialized expertise, focusing on client-specific goals and projects
S.i. Systems focuses on building lasting relationships by personally engaging with contractors and guiding their career paths. This investment in delivering positive outcomes across various specialty areas. Their tailored approach ensures clients receive dedicated support from skilled professionals.
Teamwork and a sense of community are central to the company’s culture. They value individual contributions, creating opportunities for growth and fulfilling each employee’s potential. Investing in their people is key to the company’s success, offering a range of employee benefits:
competitive salary benchmarked against local averages
three weeks of paid vacation, six flex days, and five paid volunteer days
remote work options and a day off for birthdays
health and wellness benefits from day one, plus corporate discount perks
continuous learning through courses and development resources
S.i. Systems is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of its operations. The company actively supports the Indigenous community, ensuring these values are upheld in their policies. They also enforce a strict anti-modern slavery stance in supply chains and client engagements, prioritizing ethical practices across their operations:
diversity, equity, and inclusion: encourages open dialogue on discrimination, respect, and fostering equal opportunities
anti-modern slavery: maintains a zero-tolerance approach to forced, bonded, or prison labour
Indigenous truth and reconciliation: acknowledges Indigenous territories and advocates for reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities
They aim to reduce its environmental impact beyond regulatory requirements, making sustainability a core part of their business strategy. They continuously improve environmental practices and partner with clients to achieve shared sustainability goals. Their initiatives focus on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and promoting environmental best practices across operations:
compliance: meet all environmental requirements in Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and contracts
waste reduction: minimize waste in operations and encourage best practices with clients and suppliers
energy efficiency: consider energy impacts in business decisions
continuous improvement: follow ISO 14001:2015 standards for ongoing environmental performance enhancement
S.i. Systems values creating meaningful connections by focusing on respect, encouragement, and support in every interaction. They aim to help employees, clients, and contractors reach their full potential. By paying attention to details and delivering quality service, they demonstrate genuine care for the people they work with.
Traci Fiatte Thomas became CEO of S.i. Systems in 2024, leading the company's digital transformation and driving long-term growth. She previously served as CEO of Randstad USA and held leadership roles at Vedior and Sapphore Technologies. Thomas holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a leadership certificate from London Business School, with a political science degree from the University of Iowa.
S.i. Systems is led by a team of experienced executives who drive the company's success and strategic direction:
Derek Bullen, serving as the executive chairman, overseeing long-term business strategy and corporate governance
Leonie Tyler, serving as president, managing day-to-day operations and leading market expansion efforts
Ed Malysa, as CFO, responsible for financial planning, investment management, and overall fiscal health
Jeff Cartwright, as chief revenue officer and SVP, GTA, leading revenue growth and client relationships in the Greater Toronto Area
Jane Hein, as SVP, Western Canada, overseeing business development and client services across Western Canada
Brian Brady, as SVP operations, Ottawa, ensuring smooth operational delivery and client success in the Ottawa region
The company grew its services by acquiring HVN Solutions in February 2024, boosting its IT consulting and digital transformation offerings. This helps the company provide more specialized talent and consulting support to large organizations in North America. The acquisition sets the S.i. Systems up for continued growth and new opportunities for clients and IT professionals alike.
In April 2024, it was named a preferred supplier by Randstad Sourceright for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting its performance and reliability in IT staffing. With thousands of suppliers globally, only those meeting strict standards in metrics, response rates, and partnership performance receive this recognition. Delivering this kind of high-quality service shows the company as a trusted partner for large-scale projects and critical staffing needs.
