HAI Group has been named the top midsize employer workplace in Western Connecticut in the 2026 awards presented by Hearst Connecticut Media Group and Top Workplaces, marking the organization’s first time earning the top spot in the region.
This recognition also extends HAI Group’s record of being named a top workplace in Connecticut for seven consecutive years. The sustained recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and connected to its mission.
An award shaped by employee feedback
What makes the Top Workplaces recognition particularly meaningful is how the winners are determined.
Rather than relying on an outside panel of judges, the recognition is based on feedback collected directly from employees through a confidential third-party survey administered by Energage. The survey measures several aspects of the employee experience, including whether employees feel respected and supported, have opportunities to grow, and feel empowered to do their jobs.
For HAI Group, earning the top spot ranking reflects the experiences and perspectives of the people who know the organization best: its employees.
“Being named the top midsize workplace is incredibly meaningful because this recognition comes directly from our employees,” said Ed Malaspina, president and chief executive officer of HAI Group. “We want HAI Group to be a place where people enjoy coming to work, feel valued for what they contribute, and know that their work matters. Our employees are the reason we have built the culture we have today, and I am grateful for everything they do for one another and for the communities we serve.”
Seven years of building a strong workplace culture
HAI Group first participated in the Top Workplaces program in 2020 and has earned recognition every year since. While continued recognition reflects the strength and consistency of HAI Group’s culture, employee feedback also provides an opportunity to further strengthen the workplace. HAI Group uses survey results to better understand what employees value, identify opportunities for improvement, and help guide initiatives that support the employee experience.
That ongoing effort extends across the organization, from opportunities for professional development and collaboration to health and wellness initiatives, employee events, and programs that help employees feel connected to one another and to HAI Group’s mission.
At the center of those efforts is a culture employees describe as inclusive, respectful, caring, and supportive.
“Earning this recognition year after year tells us that our culture is not the result of one program or initiative—it is something our employees build every day through the way they work together, support one another, and serve our members,” said Troy LePage, executive vice president and chief operating officer of HAI Group. “Reaching the number one spot is a great milestone, but what matters most is continuing to create an environment where people can do their best work and feel connected to the purpose behind it.”
Connecting employees to a shared mission
HAI Group’s workplace culture is closely connected to its mission. For nearly four decades, HAI Group has worked alongside the public and affordable housing community, providing insurance and other products and services designed specifically for housing organizations. Employees across the organization contribute to that mission, whether they work directly with members and policyholders or support the teams and operations behind that work.
Creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and connected to a shared purpose helps HAI Group continue serving the housing organizations and communities that depend on it. Reaching the top spot in 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition ultimately belongs to the employees whose feedback made it possible and whose contributions shape HAI Group’s culture each day.
Interested in joining HAI Group?
HAI Group is always looking for talented people who want to grow their careers while contributing to a mission-driven organization.
Explore current career opportunities and learn more about working at HAI Group.
