Company of Young Professionals – Leadership Forum

Date: May 13, 2014

Name: Company of Young Professionals – Leadership Forum

Presenters: Ashleigh McIvor, Victor de Bonis, Susan Dolinski, Terry McBride

Company of Young Professionals (CYP) is one of the main leadership programs for young professionals in the Vancouver Board of Trade. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to learn from all the presenters in this event. All presenters will share their valuable experiences to help out all members of CYP.

Ashleigh McIvor, 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist, Ski Cross

Her inspiration originally comes from her idols, community heroes who love about their work. She believes by eliminating negativity will increase joy in her life. Her determination helped her to get back on her feet when she failed due to injury. By following her heart and passion, she once again proves to be the best of what she is doing. Her advice is to “make work not like work”.

“Doing what I love and maximize the quality of life”

Victor de Bonis, COO of Canucks Sports & Entertainment

His life lesson surrounds by one important word, which is relationship. All his career moves relate to his networking opportunities. His first job started in PNE; however, due to a rare opportunity, he created a networking relationship with his professor and helped him advance to a different job opportunity in KPMG. He made anther career move from KPMG to Canucks Sport based on his work relationship. His advice is to “create relationship no matter what because you do know where you will end up”.

“Be nice to everybody because you do not know what is around you.”

Susan Dolinski, VP of Communication & Social Responsibility in BCLC

Her passion starts by listening to people and engaging with community. Her career fulfills her passion because it fits her value. In addition, she demands herself to be a value member of high value team by continuing growth challenge. In BCLC, she switches from being a subjective leader to a thoughtful motivated speaker.

Her life success is based on three steps:

1) Follow my Heart

“You got to say “Yes” even if you are not confident. There will always people beside you and helping you.”

2) No Short Cuts

“No one is going to tell you the secret path”

3) Success comes from being prepared

“Actions and choices determine all opportunities”

Terry McBride, CEO of YYoga and Nettwerk Music Group

Terry chose music because of his passion and desire. When he realized the music he loves was not in the local radio, he started to produce his own music. He began to create partnership and incorporate his own company.

His physical condition starts to change when he joins yoga. He starts to understand music and yoga share the same philosophy, which is all about healing drama. Due to lack of capital, he sells his home to make his beliefs come true. Now both of his companies are national wide all start with his passion and desire.

His advice is to “believe you can make the world a better place”.

All presenters’ answers

They always follow their gut reaction because that is the right reaction. They always listen to their own intuition and be true to themselves.

The balance between work and family is important. When people are good at work, it does not mean they are good partner. Moreover, family’s spirit is one of the keys to get to where they are today.

Their advice to entrepreneurs who work with different generation in the workplace is to become a listener, humble and not to be afraid to work hard.

“Think the way they think, not what you think”