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2015 BC CEO Awards: Krista Thompson

The executive director of Covenant House Vancouver, named top CEO in BIV’s registered charity category, is dedicated to ensuring that no young person is alone
krista_thompson_credit_rob_kruyt
Krista Thompson, who was an at-risk youth herself, left a career as an investment adviser to devote herself to helping young people in need | Rob Kruyt 

Krista Thompson feels at home as the executive director of Covenant House Vancouver (CHV), Western Canada’s largest charitable organization serving homeless youth.

“I was an at-risk kid myself,” said Thompson, born in Montreal and raised in a West Vancouver upper-middle-class family struggling with addiction and mental health issues. “I was born to do this job.”

Early in her career, Thompson spent nearly a decade as an investment adviser for Merrill Lynch Canada, but a drive to find “real meaning” in her life led her to the non-profit sector, where she became founding director of Catalyst House Society, a residential program offering life skills and safe housing for young women at risk.

Shortly after joining CHV in 2006, she identified an immediate need for more shelter beds for youth, who were being turned away by the hundreds each year. With the help of the board of directors and stakeholders, she raised $6 million in seed funding from the provincial government and private donors. The result was an increase in shelter beds from 22 to 54, reducing the number of annual turnaways from 371 to fewer than 10 in the first five years.

“The whole point is that there are no more kids alone,” said Thompson, describing CHV’s vision. “Our purpose is to help them move to the place they dream of being.”

When Thompson, 58, took over at the organization, youth with mental health issues couldn’t stay at CHV due to limited access to mental health services. She worked to establish community partnerships, including with St. Paul’s Hospital psychiatrists, which resulted in the Inner City Youth Mental Health Program. The innovative and award-winning project brought psychiatric services to CHV, reducing the waiting time to receive help from six months to eight days.

Thompson has led CHV, part of an international federation connecting 22 sites in five countries, through growth from 76 full-time staff and revenue of $7 million to a staff of 135 and revenue of $13 million, a challenging task since the organization is about 90% privately funded. Program standards, positioning and performance measurement strategies continue to help the organization reach higher fundraising goals year after year. Thompson’s leadership strategy includes recruiting and retaining talented, passionate staff and honouring CHV’s 55,000 donors.

Over the past three years, fundraising revenue has increased more than 19% while expenses have increased 5.3%, largely due to Thompson’s fiscal management. This has allowed CHV to expand services to its youth, remain debt free and ensure its operations will continue to be sustainable.

An example of Thompson’s innovative leadership is CHV’s strategic-learning projects. The initiative sought feedback from youth, staff, leaders and internal and external experts about youth needs and gaps in service, resulting in a document providing information to address challenges and trends. An important finding was the increasing number of youth who are victims of human trafficking and young people who are forced into the sex trade.

Thompson led the process of strategic planning with CHV’s leadership and board, resulting in a five-year strategic plan that describes six priorities. A case management system has been established to provide a consistent case manager for each youth to manage his or her plan for change. Gender-specific spaces have been created in programs to help provide sanctuary for female youth, including victims of trafficking and those fleeing the sex trade. Since this change was made last October, the number of female youth staying with CHV has increased by 200%.

Optimism is one of the key ingredients for success as a CEO, according to Thompson, who is the former president and CEO of the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. Being strategically selective when making decisions is also vital.

“It’s the ability to discern the best idea from the thousands of ideas that come at you every day,” she explained.

Authenticity is also important to Thompson, both in her professional and private life.

“Being real with people is really important,” said the East Vancouver resident. “Real in terms of sharing what you’re thinking about.”

One of Thompson’s greatest challenges is keeping the ball rolling in the demanding non-profit sector.

“When you’re in growth mode, maintaining momentum can be challenging. I like to take stock of accomplishments, reflect on how far we’ve come and think about the next steps.”

Glenda Morris, who recently retired as CHV’s director of human resources, nominated Thompson for this year’s BC CEO Awards. Morris said she nominated her because of her commitment to excellence and her “strong moral compass.”

“There’s one single focus in her mind all of the time, and that’s the youth,” said Morris. “Every conversation she has, she looks at how it will improve services for youth.” •

A day in the life: Krista Thompson describes her typical timetable

4-6 a.m.: Reviews and responds to emails, reviews Twitter feed, checks daily news, exercises in gym or practises yoga and meditation

7-9 a.m.: Listens to podcasts, CBC radio, reads preparation materials

9 a.m.-noon: Checks in with administrative team at office, sets daily agenda, meets with senior staff, hosts orientations for donors and board members

Noon-3 p.m.: Often works through lunch meetings with board members or donors, attends follow-up meetings, meets with team or youth mentors

3:30-6 p.m.: Takes a break or goes to gym, reviews emails and reads required materials

6-8 p.m.: Attends events and meetings, networks

Join us to celebrate on November 3 when Business in Vancouver and MacKay CEO Forums present the 2015 BC CEO Awards at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. For more information or to register for the event visit our events page