14 Marin companies named ‘Best Places to Work’

By North Bay Business Journal

PUBLISHED: September 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM PDT

Marin Humane was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the North Bay Business Journal. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)

The North Bay Business Journal announced the winners of its 2025 Best Places to Work Awards, celebrating North Bay companies dedicated to prioritizing employee satisfaction and well-being. This year’s special 20th anniversary edition honors 119 members of the business community whose employees commented on what makes their workplace special, from strength in collaboration to support for the community to a vibrant company culture.

These employers from Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Lake counties earned the highest marks in their employee surveys and demonstrated tremendous levels of support to their employees and to best practices in the workplace. Here are the companies from Marin. For the full list, go to bit.ly/4ndy9KY.

Bank of Marin

While the world of finance may come with a preconceived idea of being corporate and stuffy, Bank of Marin doesn’t fit the stereotype. They are all about creating community within their four walls as well as outside of the office.

“The culture of Bank of Marin is characterized by a commitment to building lasting relationships, actively engaging with our communities, and adhering to disciplined practices that drive our operational excellence,” said Faye Garcia, Bank of Marin’s human resources manager. “Together, these guiding principles create a supportive environment for our employees, foster customer loyalty, and contribute to the overall health and prosperity of the communities we serve.”

The Novato-based company has been providing financial services to the region since 1990. Of its 300 employees, 208 work in the North Bay.

“What makes Bank of Marin great isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it: by building value-added relationships, supporting our communities and working together with purpose to deliver legendary service to our clients and colleagues,” CEO and President Tim Myers said.

Canal Alliance

The nonprofit Canal Alliance has been in operation in Marin since 1982, providing support to Latino immigrants and their families to overcome the barriers to success.

Reflective of the community they serve, more than 80% of the team identify as immigrants or children of immigrants and speak two or more languages, bringing lived experience and deep cultural competency to their work.

“At Canal Alliance, we believe that building an inclusive and supportive workplace requires more than good intentions — it demands intentional, sustained action,” said CEO Omar Carrera. “We back this up with policies like a four-day workweek, hybrid workplace practices, and a compensation philosophy that prioritizes equity, transparency, and competitive pay.”

The nonprofit is a trusted community partner for residents of the Canal neighborhood and Latino immigrants throughout Marin.

Every year, the nonprofit partners with more than 100 agencies and engages hundreds of volunteers to serve individuals and families from more than 4,850 households with a goal of removing the many barriers that immigrants face when attempting to access education, earn a living wage and improve their financial security.

Ghilotti Bros. Inc.

Since 1914, Ghilotti Bros. of San Rafael has been building an enviable workplace while also leaving its mark through its construction prowess.

“Our team of dedicated and loyal employees continually impress our clients and the general public with their tremendous work ethic, value engineering efforts, can-do attitude, kind gestures and attitude of service,” said Patsy Barr, an administrative assistant. “All of this is part of our culture and is something that has been enhanced by the thousands of ‘GBI Family Members’ who have been part of our culture and growth during the last 111 years. We strive to see that our employees have a good work-life balance.”

The general construction firm employs 340 people.

“Our employees are very determined and motivated by success to accomplish their tasks daily, both individually and collaboratively,” CEO and President Mike Ghilotti said.

Ghirardo CPA

While Ghirardo CPA was founded in 1990 in Novato by two brothers, it has since expanded to eight owners — four women, four men.

In all, 38 people work for the accounting firm, with 33 employed in the North Bay.

“The company has a low turnover rate, with many employees remaining with the company for over a decade,” said Greta Hoversten, managing partner. “Ghirardo CPA offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for continuing education and professional growth. The company values work-life balance and provides flexibility for its employees. Ghirardo CPA fosters a collaborative work environment and shows appreciation for its employees through various initiatives.”

Every Thursday is the Breakfast Club, where birthdays, weddings, babies and other milestones are celebrated.

Ghirardo CPA is also involved in the community, local sports and nonprofits by giving money and time to various entities.

Hennessy Advisors

Hennessy Advisors is as dedicated to making money for clients as it is to providing a workplace people look forward to going to every morning.

“The link between employee satisfaction and company success is clear. With an average employee tenure of nearly 15 years, we’ve clearly built a positive work culture at Hennessy,” Chief Operating Officer and President Teresa Nilsen said. “The fact that we have such a collaborative approach between our departments is what sets us apart in our industry.”

Hennessy Advisors is a publicly traded investment manager that was established in 1989.

All but five of the 23 employees work in the North Bay, with the main local office in Novato.

“We like to say that our company is our people because that is the truth of how our organization is successful,” Nilsen said. “We find that this culture of open communication and collaboration helps in navigating challenges, especially during times of market volatility.”

Kiosk

Kiosk is all about delivering what clients want in a fun atmosphere for workers.

The company incorporated in the U.S. in 2011 and has been in downtown Novato since 2012. Kiosk provides marketing, web design, strategy and analytics for companies.

The 48 employees have the option to work in the office, at home or with a hybrid approach.

Thirty-six percent of the employees have been with Kiosk at least 10 years.

“Kiosk embodies a people-first culture, prioritizing happy teams as the foundation for happy clients. We’ve created an environment where brilliant individuals specializing in various marketing disciplines collaborate to create powerful strategies and impactful results,” said Susi Lynam, vice president of people operations. “We work like a team and play like a family. We believe great work and great culture go hand in hand.”

Marin Humane

Shared values are one of the reasons the 130 employees at Marin Humane have worked at the nonprofit for an average of eight years.

“The loyalty and longevity of our employees speak volumes about the strength, heart, and enduring impact of our organization,” said Valerie Robbins, human resources director.

The Novato-based animal facility has been a part of Marin County since 1907.

“Our organization consistently provides as much support as possible for our staff,” CEO and President Nancy McKenney said. “The board of directors and leadership team truly value our staff and understand how carrying out our unique work can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Marin Humane’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging continues even given recent corporate and political decisions in the news. Our DEIB efforts push us to keep learning and growing — both as individuals and as an organization.”

Mike’s Bikes

Bikes. That’s it. That’s all Mike’s Bikes sells. That makes them unique when so many shops no longer specialize in one sport.

They sell all kinds of bikes, accessories from bells to racks, and apparel, and will service your two-wheeler as well as make sure it fits you.

“At Mike’s Bikes our mission is simple: get more people on bikes. But what makes it special is how we do it — through a team of passionate, driven people who care deeply about the customer and each other,” CEO and President Whitney Tabaian said. “We believe in creating a workplace where people feel energized, supported, and excited to show up every day. That culture, built on collaboration, challenge and shared love of bikes, is what makes Mike’s Bikes one of the best places to work.”

Mike’s Bikes is based in Novato. Of the 251 employees, 90 work in the North Bay. It has been around since 1998.

Employees are paid 10 cents per mile when they ride their bike — and not just to work. They may demo bikes. After buying a bike, they are given a paid day to bond with it.

North Marin Community Services

North Marin Community Services employees are guided by the nonprofit’s organizational values of collaboration and teamwork, equity, excellence, integrity, learning, and continuous improvement.

Founded in Novato in 1972, NMCS has 75 employees. Hundreds of volunteers help make the organization run smoothly.

The mission is to empower youth, adults and families to achieve well-being, growth and success. More than 10,000 people a year receive NMCS services.

Visions Management

When Amy Garber was putting together the pieces of what would become Visions Management, people were always at the forefront.

“From day one, I wanted to create a workplace that wasn’t just about doing great work — but about building a community where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired,” Garber said. “We have built a culture of trust, flexibility, and growth where our team is empowered to do their best work and grow alongside the company.”

Novato-based company Visions Management has been providing corporate relocation management services worldwide since 2007.

All but three of the 30 staff members work in the North Bay.

Vivalon

For more than 70 years, Vivalon has been the central resource hub for Marin County’s older adults and people with disabilities.

The San Rafael nonprofit helps people stay active, informed, supported and nourished, while also providing transportation.

“What drew me to the organization is its values and its people,” said CEO Kauhik Roy, who has been with the group since March. “I have the utmost respect for what our employees do every day. I see the potential for growth and increased impact. And we do that by being employee-centric.”

Of the 185 employees, 105 are in the North Bay.

W. Bradley Electric LLC

Since starting in 1977, W. Bradley Electric has become a multistate operation, driven by the growth in its renewable division. Based in Novato, it has four locations in the Bay Area.

“At W. Bradley Electric our culture is the foundation of who we are and how we work. It reflects the values we’ve upheld since the beginnings of a family- and woman-owned business and continues to guide us as an employee-owned company (ESOP) since the end of 2022,” Abigail Levine, director of human resources, said.

The majority of the 254 employees — 229 — work in the North Bay.

“At WE our culture is grounded in giving back — with purpose, intention and heart. Each year we invite our employee-owners to help shape our philanthropic direction by voting on the charitable cause they care about most,” Levine said.

WRA Inc.

The environmental consulting firm WRA has been doing business in San Rafael since 1981.

“We are a tenacious team of planners, engineers, and scientists, and we aim to leave the lands we love better than we found them,” Liz Agraz, marketing director, said. “As an organization, we believe that independence and interdependence are not mutually exclusive. We invest in systems, processes and employee programs to support our staff’s collective engagement and success.”

There are 96 employees at WRA, with 39 working in the North Bay.

WX Brands

WX Brands based in Novato has a portfolio of wines that are sold domestically and globally. Product is sourced from 14 countries and sold in 20 countries, resulting in more than 4 million cases sold worldwide.

The company, which was founded in 1999, has 160 people on the payroll, with 67 working in the North Bay.

“Our team is the connective tissue that inspires creativity, resourcefulness and teamwork in all that we do,” CEO Oliver Colvin said. “By listening to our employees, we can work to deliver what they need to succeed, which brings about a collective and inspiring effort that continues to catapult our business forward. WX is committed to a workforce where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only supported but championed.”