With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1484213
12 BCBUSINESS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 Change Is Afoot W hile 2020 and 2021 were huge years of change for B.C. and beyond, 2022 was also one of transforma- tion for the province, albeit on a smaller scale than the years more heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across British Columbia, we saw some major shifts, especially with how organizations made changes at the highest lev- els. Whether it was tech companies in search of a different voice to handle a changing, difficult climate, older industry titans ushering in new faces or levels of government dealing with the outcome of ballots, there are no shortage of new faces leading the province. We thought it made sense to profile some of those stories for our Leadership Issue. Starting on pg.55, you'll hear from six leaders who have recently taken on new roles (or, in one case, have tried to). Putting together the feature reminded me of a speech recently delivered by Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini, who was hired last year. Sartini gave the keynote address during the Italian Chamber of Com- merce in Canada – West's 30th anniversary dinner. In reflecting on the success he's had throughout his career, the passion- ate manager remarked that "love is the thing that keeps you going. Without love, there is no excellence." I can't help but think that each of the leaders featured in this issue use that love to keep the fire burning, whether it's a passion for solving complex bio- chemistry issues, trying to save the environment, or, in the case of our cover subject, YWCA Metro Vancouver CEO Erin Seeley, helping one's community. Not every example of leadership brings people together, though. Matt Coté's "Snow Chance" (pg.34) profiles a West Kootenay region torn over the proposal of a new ski resort. Coté also takes on the larger question of whether resorts like the one in question—once upon a time an absolute no-brainer to greenlight and a huge source of rev- enue—are even viable in this province anymore. What does seem to be popping back up into relevance—at least in some cities—is the inten- tion of creating more rental units. In "Rental Health" (p.24), veteran reporter Frances Bula explains why Vancouver is seeing an influx of rental-first projects, and how that could be a trend moving forward. Lastly, with all these leaders changing roles, there's one that I'd be remiss to not mention. Recently, it was announced that community news organization Overstory Media Group pur- chased legendary Vancouver paper the Georgia Straight. While I think this is good news for the publication, I was saddened to see that long- time editor Charlie Smith was laid off. There are more than a few people respon- sible for me being in this chair, and Charlie is certainly among that group. Charlie, like Sar- tini, absolutely loves what he does. I know he'll find a way to keep doing it, and I hope the same for each and every one of you. Nathan Caddell, Editor-in-Chief bcb@canadawide.com / @BCBusiness ( editor's desk ) I N JA N UA R Y/ F E B RUA R Y Our recurring feature on B.C.'s Most Resilient Cities. Plus: 2023's economic outlook C ON T R I B U T OR S Matt Coté started writing 16 years ago. Currently living in Revelstoke, "the mecca of backcountry skiing," Coté holds a degree in communications and film from SFU. He analyzes the sustainability of the ski industry in "Snow Chance" (p.34) and calls mountain towns with resorts a blessing and a curse: "I myself choose to live in a town shaped by a resort, but having that imposed on you is a different story." With four children and step- children in their 30s, Vancouver writer Frances Bula sees through them what it's like to battle for a place to live. For "Rental Health" (p.24), she talked with over a dozen renters to get different perspectives on B.C.'s housing crisis. "It's clear what a complicated system this is, because it's now having to serve such a wide range of people," she says. "It needs much more public attention than the relatively simple world of homeownership." PORTRAIT: ALAINA MICHELLE