President | 2 | President | Jacquie | Griffiths | | <div class="ExternalClass62E3D7968A99400691C6D0BDCB17A602"><p></p><p></p><p>At the helm of Invest Vancouver, Jacquie leads the Metro Vancouver region's investment attraction and economic development leadership service. Her focus is on attracting strategic investment to Metro Vancouver, fostering region-wide collaboration and propelling the economic growth needed to compete and win on a global stage.</p><p>She accepted the role of President in July 2022, with the motivation of bolstering the shared prosperity of our region through investment attraction, data, research, and policy development, as well as continuing strategic collaboration with key partners locally and internationally. She had previously served as Invest Vancouver's Executive Vice President and was a founding member of the team who took Invest Vancouver from a concept to reality.</p><p>Jacquie brings over two decades of leadership experience in a wide-range of sectors including mining, banking, education and local government. Before joining Invest Vancouver, Jacquie was the Director of Regional Employers Services with Metro Vancouver. In this role, she led a team providing human capital and labour strategy services to local governments in the Metro Vancouver region. She has also served as Chief Negotiator for the BC Public School Employers' Association. In addition, Jacquie served three terms as a Referee for the Employment Insurance Commission of Canada and has been recognized as one of Business in Vancouver's "40 Under Forty".</p><p>Jacquie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia as well as a Master of Arts. As a volunteer, Jacquie has served on a number of not-for-profit boards and is currently a director and chairs the governance committee for the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) BC and Yukon.<br></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Jacquie about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>The Metro Vancouver region's incredible talent ecosystem<br></li><li>How to train a Rhodesian Ridgeback</li><li>Where to cycle in the Metro Vancouver region<br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Jacquie_Griffiths.jpg, Jacquie Griffiths | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Jacquie_Griffiths_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Executive Vice President | 15 | Executive Vice President | Bryan | Buggey | | <div class="ExternalClass96A5A28E7B8D4A589578D7AA1EDFE7BA"><p>Bryan is a senior executive with more than three decades of experience as a business leader in entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and economic development. Since 2006, Bryan has been interested and passionate about the economic opportunities afforded by the necessary transition to a low-carbon economy and has led teams in charge of projects and programs aimed at supporting those goals including the circular economy, decarbonization, innovation, investment, and equity & diversity. This includes concepts in economic transformation in the urban and regional context.</p><p>Over the past decade, Bryan was actively involved in the City's Climate Emergency Action Plan, Greenest City Action Plan, Renewable City 2050, Zero Waste 2040, and Green Economy initiatives. Those experiences and others helped Bryan bring his own brand of future-proofing economic transformation to the conversations around regional economic development, investment, public policy, and business development. Bryan is able to direct the development of programs and projects that support local innovators and businesses in making an impact in the local economy as well as promote Vancouver to a global audience of business investors in the knowledge-based, low carbon & circular economy.</p><p>Bryan has an undergraduate degree in Economics (Regional Economic Development), an MBA in IT Strategy, is certified in ESG governance, and is a graduate of UBC's Summer Institute for Sustainability. Bryan also co-founded the Vancouver Maritime Centre for Climate and is a member of the Canadian Climate Law Initiative and was awarded the pan-Canadian Clean 50 Award (2017) for his leadership in green and sustainable economic development.<br></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Bryan about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>The Circular Economy, Decarbonization and Climate Action</li><li>Innovation, Commercialization and Start-ups</li><li>His hobby farm<br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Bryan_Buggey.jpg, Bryan Buggey | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Bryan_Buggey_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Vice President, Collaboration | 4 | Vice President, Collaboration | Katie | Fitzmaurice | | <div class="ExternalClassEEF60E3C2B66400CBD012507A4341385"><p>Leading the Collaboration team, Katie is responsible for identifying and developing key partnership opportunities and collaborative efforts and promoting the Metro Vancouver region to a global audience. Katie is committed to advancing equitable and sustainable prosperity throughout the Metro Vancouver region and has strengths related to workforce development initiatives.</p><p>Prior to joining Invest Vancouver, Katie was a Senior Regional Human Resources Advisor for Regional Employers Services with Metro Vancouver. In this role, she developed and implemented a comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing workforce labour supply challenges to local government employers within the Metro Vancouver region. She has also worked for the Business Council of British Columba, the BC Public School Employers' Association, and BC Hydro. </p><p>Katie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. Her proudest volunteer role to date involves leading a bike ride 4,500 kilometers from Amsterdam to Istanbul to fundraise money for a socially innovative project.</p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Katie about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>Collaboration and partnership opportunities </li><li>Project management and the joys of creating a good list</li><li>Going down hills fast - be it on foot, bike, or board<br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Katie_Fitzmaurice.jpg, Katie Fitzmaurice | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Katie_Fitzmaurice_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Vice President, Data, Research & Policy | 10 | Vice President, Data, Research & Policy | Lejla | Uzicanin | | <div class="ExternalClassB6A7F9DAC1264A4FA49D179AA975BFDB"><p></p></div><p>Leading the Data, Research and Policy team, Lejla is responsible for providing objective, independent research, economic analysis, and strategic and policy advice to amplify the region's economic value proposition - increasing Metro Vancouver's global competitiveness to seize opportunities presented in the rapidly evolving global economy. <br></p><p>Prior to joining Invest Vancouver, Lejla was a faculty member with the City University of Seattle, and a senior economist with the BC Utilities Commission. She has a rich international development experience, working in south-east Europe and the parts of the Former Soviet Union, focusing on policy, regulatory, economic and private sector development. Lejla has also worked for the United Nations and the United Nations Development Programme. <br></p><p>Lejla holds a Bachelor of Science in Administration and Management from La Roche University, MBA from Cass Business School of City University of London, and a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University. She is a proud member of Rotary International, an organization of people brought together by a desire to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. </p><p> <br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Lejla about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>Importance of strengthening competitiveness in export oriented industries</li><li>Tips for improving your writing style</li><li>The most exciting international border crossing<br></li></ul> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Lejla_Uzicanin.jpg, Lejla Uzicanin | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Lejla_Uzicanin_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Senior Economist | 8 | Senior Economist | Gregory | Freeman | | | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Gregory_Freeman.jpg, Gregory Freeman | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Gregory_Freeman.jpg, Gregory Freeman |
Project Coordinator | 6 | Project Coordinator | Peyton | Winslade | | <div class="ExternalClassB9894F77914C4FB1985AA9287FAEEF25"><p>Peyton joined Invest Vancouver in January 2021 as a Project Coordinator. In her role on the Collaboration team, Peyton is responsible for content creation, social media, and managing the "Invest Vancouver" brand. She also assists with developing assets such as presentations and client-facing materials, and lends her project management skills to guide Invest Vancouver's partnerships and events.</p><p>Peyton holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business with concentrations in Management Information Systems and Marketing, as well as a certificate in Business Analytics and Decision Making.</p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Peyton about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>The latest and greatest in social media strategy </li><li>Promoting the Metro Vancouver region to a global audience</li><li>Pop culture podcasts and the best vegetarian food in the region<br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Peyton_Winslade.jpg, Peyton Winslade | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Peyton_Winslade_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Investor Services Consultant | 16 | Investor Services Consultant | Megan | Henwood | | <div class="ExternalClass7A1A45E7101643BCB4660D5A3D5BC349"><p>Megan began her career promoting foreign investment to New Brunswick with the provincial government's investment attraction agency, Opportunities New Brunswick (“ONB"). Here, she lead the business development advisor team and was responsible for attracting foreign and domestic SME's and multinationals to the province.<br></p><p>In 2018, Megan transitioned to ONB's cyber security team, based in Vancouver, working with SME's to promote cyber security best practices across Canada. With her knowledge and experience in the region, Megan joined the Federal department, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (“ISED") to further her work in delivering cyber security programs to SME's. She also conducted policy analysis work covering agritech and natural resources in BC.<br></p><p>Missing client facing work, Megan moved to Invest in Canada as the Regional Investor Services Advisor, supporting multinationals making transformational investments in the hydrogen fuel cell technology, battery storage, and mining, energy, and technology sectors in British Columbia and the Territories.<br></p><p>Megan holds a bachelor's degree in German and Political Science from the University of New Brunswick, as well as a wealth of international experience from studying in both Denmark and Germany.<br></p><p>Coming from a small town in Nova Scotia, Megan enjoys enhancing economic development objectives in Canada and our remote communities.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Ask Megan about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>Why Metro Vancouver is the Silicon Valley of hydrogen and fuel cell technology</li><li>The region's growing life sciences sector</li><li>Yoga, powerlifting, and living an active lifestyle. <br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Megan_Henwood.png, Megan Henwood | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Megan_Henwood_hover.jpg, Megan Henwood |
Investor Services Consultant | 12 | Investor Services Consultant | Vlad | Oujegov | | <div class="ExternalClassE79355967DEE493DA52D3CF9584F1B02"><p>As Investor Services Consultant, Vlad leads the Strategic Investment unit in delivering Invest Vancouver's investment attraction and promotion services, working with ecosystem partners to ensure that Metro Vancouver competes and wins in the international investment arena. Vlad provides guidance (and resources, such as organizing visits, conducting research, and facilitating connections) for international investors throughout all stages of the investment deal lifecycle, and helps clients understand the many benefits of locating in Metro Vancouver.</p><p>Vlad began his career working as Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Consulate General in Calgary, where he led trade, investment, and diplomacy efforts for numerous sectors, counselling some of the world's biggest companies and advising senior decision-makers. Vlad also worked as Policy Desk Officer at U.S. DOC headquarters in Washington, D.C., analyzing market access challenges/opportunities and building effective international networks. </p><p>Vlad also worked as Senior Trade Development Officer at the Government of Alberta, leading trade efforts for Japan & Korea. In this role, Vlad managed the work of two priority offices and assisted private sector clients in understanding the opportunities/challenges of exporting, leading trade missions, building the Alberta brand through international marketing campaigns, and working on market access. Vlad also worked as Senior Consultant for International Engagement at the Government of Saskatchewan, recommending best practices for new international offices. </p><p>Vlad holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Policy from the University of Calgary. Additional training includes a Marketing Strategy certification from Cornell University, with courses from Defense Acquisition University, National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Energy Management Institute, FITT, Wavteq, and many others. </p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Vlad about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>Reasons why Metro Vancouver is a great place to invest, live, and work </li><li>Tech talent trends and why the data shows that Metro Vancouver is so well-positioned for success</li><li>Cars and motorcycles<br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Vlad_Oujegov.jpg, Vlad Oujegov | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Vlad_Oujegov_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Office Assistant | 11 | Office Assistant | Stephanie | Nguyen | | <div class="ExternalClass159E2AE8A87D4BC1966E99BB76D35FE1"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">S</span><span style="text-align:justify;">tephanie joined Invest Vancouver in June 2022 as an Office Assistant. She provides administrative assistance and coordinates activities and meetings for all team members at Invest Vancouver. Stephanie strives to bring an organized, methodical and highly efficient mindset to all of her work, and works closely with the Invest Vancouver executives and office supervisor. She also provides logistical support for work relating to the Invest Vancouver Management Board and Advisory Committee. Stephanie holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia with majors in Political Science and English, Emphasis Language.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Stephanie about:</em></strong></p><ul><li>Why local government matters!</li><li>Top tips for staying organized and effective</li><li>Socks, sandals and SkyTrains <br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Stephanie_Nguyen.jpg, Stephanie Nguyen | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Stephanie_Nguyen_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |
Office Supervisor | 7 | Office Supervisor | Silvana | Mah | | <div class="ExternalClassC113F3423CCF4F47A45AE6F1E1F1DB07"><p>Silvana joined Invest Vancouver in March 2021 as the Office Supervisor. She provides administrative assistance to Invest Vancouver executives and operations support to all members of the team. Previously, Silvana has worked in human resources for the BC Public School Employers' Association, Vancouver Community College and Vancouver School Board. </p><p>Silvana has a Human Resources Management Diploma from BCIT and is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). </p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Ask Silvana about: </em></strong></p><ul><li>Handbags </li><li>Best Asian restaurants in Vancouver </li><li>German cars <br></li></ul></div> | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Silvana_Mah.jpg, Silvana Mah | https://investvancouver.ca/about/our-team/PublishingImages/Silvana_Mah_hover.jpg, Fun Photo |