The Nod Bridge isn’t just recognition. This is about building connection. It is about honoring progress, amplifying success and building awareness of the many ways careers can evolve.
These stories help bring visibility to diverse career pathways, highlight growth opportunities within mature organizations and inspire others to explore what their own next chapter could look like.
Name?
David Akande
Location?
Edmonton
Name of Organization?
Imperial Oil
Years of service?
15
Why is this organization a great place to work?
What stands out most at Imperial is the people. The company attracts talented, principled leaders who care about safety, innovation, and doing things the right way. Working alongside experts who are shaping Canada’s energy future creates a culture where you learn quickly, stretch your capabilities, and contribute to work that genuinely matters.
Imperial also offers the kind of challenges that accelerate growth. The scale of its operations and its focus on technology, sustainability, and operational excellence mean you’re constantly solving complex problems with real impact. Combined with strong development programs and opportunities to move across business lines, it’s a place where you can build deep expertise and grow into leadership.
What’s the best career advice that you’ve received or tips for advancing?
I believe career advancement starts with depth. Identify or develop your niche, build real competency in that space, and use it to create visible value for your organization. The value you create expands your influence and leadership opportunities become easier to access.
The best advice I received was to stop waiting until I felt fully prepared and start stepping into stretch roles. Growth comes from tackling work that feels slightly beyond your comfort zone and learning quickly as you go. That willingness to take on ambiguity is often what separates those who advance from those who stall.
Finally, relationships matter. Careers accelerate when expertise meets relationships and opportunity. Invest in building relationships and networking, long before you need their support, seek feedback that sharpens your effectiveness, and stay open to reinventing yourself as the business evolves. That combination creates momentum that lasts.
Describe any resources available within your organization.
At Imperial, we invest heavily in developing talent at every stage. Our internship and co‑op programs give students hands‑on experience across engineering, operations, digital, and business functions, supported by mentoring from experienced professionals. We believe in strengthening the communities we serve, and that includes expanding access to education and career opportunities. One example is our partnership with the ELITE Program for Black Youth, which supports Black high school and post‑secondary students through paid internships, mentorship, and exposure to STEM and business careers. Alongside our broader community investments in STEM education, Indigenous reconciliation, and environmental innovation, these partnerships reflect our commitment to building a diverse, skilled talent pipeline for the future.
