Q: Nicole, can you introduce yourself and share a little about your background?
I’m Nicole Thunich, Chief Safety Officer here at MV since October 2023. I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and earned my degree in criminology at the University of Ottawa. My career began in corrections and with the Workers Compensation Board, and I later moved into industries like restaurants, consumer products, construction, utilities, and waste management—always with a focus on safety, risk management, and security.
Q: Passenger safety is central to MV’s mission. How does your role help ensure every rider has a safe, reliable journey?
At MV, everything begins with our passengers. My role as Chief Safety Officer is to make sure we have a clear mission and vision for safety—supported by strong strategy and consistent training for our people—so that every rider feels secure and wll cared for. When we strengthen safety, we’re not just improving operations; we’re honoring the trust our passengers place in us every day and ensuring their journeys are as safe and reliable as possible.
Q: With safety at the top of MV’s core values, how do you make accountability a standard in everything we do?
It truly starts from the top. Safety is a core value here, and everyone—our CEO, senior leaders, and frontline operators—plays a role in protecting our passengers. That’s why our safety motto is “Everybody, Everywhere, Every Time,” because it is a universal and constant focus for everyone on our team. Engagement and Accountability means making sure each person understands their responsibility, while also providing the tools and training they need to succeed. Safety is a central part of our culture and our promise to customers, passengers and the communities we serve.
Q: What tips do you have for other women who aspire to lead in their field?
I’ve always worked in male-dominated fields and over time I’ve focused on creating meaningful connections regardless of gender. It’s important to build your confidence and advocate for yourself. Surround yourself with supportive peers and mentors. Networking opens doors to new opportunities, growth, and resources to guide you through challenges. It certainly helps that MV is such a meritocratic culture that values talent and collaboration, so we have an outstanding group of leaders from all backgrounds, female and male alike. Finally, embrace a growth mindset – don’t let setbacks define you!
Q: MV has made measurable progress in safety performance. What innovations or programs are you most proud of leading this year?
As I noted earlier, this year we set forth our renewed vision for Safety – Everybody, Everywhere, Everytime.
We immersed the organization in living this vision, driving it day in and day out while at work but also in our personal lives.
- Everybody: Safety is everyone’s job—from frontline operators to senior leadership. Every person is empowered and expected to take ownership of their own safety and the safety of others.
- Everywhere: Safety applies in all settings—on the road, in the shop, in offices, and in the field. The goal is to create a safe environment wherever work happens.
- Every time: Safety is a continuous commitment. It’s about making safe choices and taking responsible actions every single time, not just when it’s convenient or when someone is watching. We operationalize this core value through our Own the Moment Program that engages all employees and management to focus on leading safety actions and always act and lead with a safety-first mindset.
Q: Tell us about yourself! What are some fun facts or things that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am French Canadian and did all my education in the French language including college. I have seventy-five first cousins and my father comes from a family of 18 children. Growing up, family was everything and no matter where you went, you knew you would be related to someone! Having moved from Canada six years ago to the U.S., it is a much different life where we now have only our small family here in the US, but I’m a key member of the MV family, so that helps a lot!
Q: What is one thing you miss about Canada that you just can’t get in America?
There are definitely some things I miss. Specifically, the food from my French-Canadian roots which would be poutine (French fries, cheese curds and gravy), tourtière (meat pies) and tarte au sucre (sugar pie). I also miss being close to family for holidays. The only thing I certainly don’t miss is the snow!