Forbes’ best employers 2026: WEX is top culture employer in Maine

Every day across five continents, nearly 6,500 WEXers log on with a shared, plain-spoken purpose: to simplify the business of running a business through intelligent payment solutions. But you cannot build world-class technology without a collaborative environment where ideas can thrive.

That is why we are incredibly proud to share that WEX has been named one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2026 by Forbes. We ranked No. 78 overall and earned the top placement among companies headquartered in Maine. Our inclusion among Forbes’ best employers highlights the strength of a core part of our strategy: to elevate people and performance.

Why WEX ranks as a top employer for company culture

This recognition as one of Forbes’ best employers for company culture is built on an independent, anonymous survey in partnership with market research firm Statista. Over 217,000 U.S.-based professionals evaluated employers on core values like fairness, respect, and whether they would recommend their workplace to family and friends.

For us, a strong, people-first culture is core to how we move business forward for our customers. 

“Our people are the reason WEX has earned this recognition, and we believe they are our competitive advantage for the company,” said Melissa Smith, chief executive officer and president of WEX. “As WEX has grown, what has remained constant is the care, curiosity, and ownership WEXers bring to their work. Culture is how strategy becomes execution. It helps us serve customers better, operate with discipline, and continue building a company that can create lasting value for shareholders.”

We believe our culture is best explained by the individuals who live it every day. We asked teams across our global platform to share their perspectives: “What does WEX culture mean to you?” 

What makes WEX a great place to work?

Elevate People and Performance is one of four goal categories in our strategic plan. At WEX, this commitment comes to life by empowering our teams with the right tools, supporting their growth, and prioritizing an environment where everyone can thrive. 

Ingenuity and room to experiment

We give our teams trusted spaces to cultivate fresh skills and try new ways of working. Our internal AI Accelerators community, now over 1,000 employees strong, allows WEXers to test new ideas and apply them to everyday obstacles. 

In a recent internal survey, 60% of WEX employees said they use AI daily, compared with 31% of national tech sector employees, and nearly 90% said the WEX culture actively supports that learning.

Belonging and an inclusive work environment

True collaboration requires diverse perspectives. Since 2019, WEX has scaled from a single employee resource group (ERG) to 10 global communities.

Grounded in our people

We support the whole person and prioritize employee wellbeing in the workplace. In addition to benefits like volunteer time off, which allows employees to dedicate up to 16 paid hours per year toward community work, WEX leverages its own benefits industry expertise to provide comprehensive care — including customized health programs, fertility benefits, and adoption support starting on day one.

Sustaining an award-winning culture 

As Sandy Kuohn, our chief people officer, describes WEX:

“When employees feel supported, connected, and equipped to grow, customers feel the difference. A strong culture helps us attract and retain talent, move with speed and accountability, and bring better ideas to customers. This recognition reflects the workplace we are continuing to build, one where people can do meaningful work, learn together, and help WEX deliver for all of its stakeholders.”

While landing a spot in the top 100 of Forbes’ best employers list is an exciting moment to celebrate, we view this milestone as a baseline rather than a ceiling. As we continue to scale across global markets, we remain relentlessly focused on creating an authentic, relational, and purpose-driven community at WEX.