The CEO of Copperleaf Technologies, Judi Hess, gave an entertaining and inspiring keynote address at BCIT’s winter convocation.
She spoke of the importance of accountability. “When you are a CEO,” she said, “there is no one else to blame for a failure, a missed opportunity or things that just didn’t go right.” This speaks to her personal philosophy: Own it. Do it.
Hess went on to say, “Do it means make it happen. Get out of that chair and take a risk.”
Her speech touched on gender equality, diversity in the workforce, and the importance of partnership.
A mother of two grown daughters, Hess also gave a nod to the parents in the room. She pointed out that convocation counts as one of the few times they get a report card of sorts – a clear indication that they’ve succeeded as parents. “Another great things,” she added, “is that your sons and daughters are graduating from BCIT. … And because of that you can rest assured that [they] won’t end up back on your payroll!”
See her full address here:
Judi’s Bio
Judi is currently the CEO of Copperleaf Technologies which was just named one of the top 20 fastest growing software companies in Canada. Copperleaf provides decision analytics to energy and water companies globally.
Prior to that she was the president of Creo, a high tech company based in Burnaby that was sold to Eastman Kodak in 2005 for over $1 billion.
She started her career at MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates as a software developer. She is currently a member of the Premier’s Technology Council of British Columbia, a member of the board of directors of Pason Systems Inc. (TSX: PSI), a 2015 YWCA women of distinction nominee and an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
Originally from Toronto, Judi and her family live in Vancouver. She holds an Honors Bachelor of Mathematics Degree With Distinction, Dean’s Honors List, from the University of Waterloo.