BIV is recognizing Erica McGuinness, partner at Sequeira Partners, and 39 other exceptional business leaders as part of the 2023 Forty Under 40 Awards cohort.
Longer Q&As with each recipient are included in BIV's annual Forty Under 40 Magazine (out in print Dec. 11). Award winners will be celebrated at an awards gala Feb. 7, 2024.
This profile may have been edited for length and clarity.
What career highlight are you most proud of?
Given the nature of my work, the highlights really come from getting to a successful transaction close for my clients. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some exceptional businessmen and businesswomen. What stands out for me are the people and what the transaction has allowed for them – whether it’s refocusing energy on other ventures, or stepping back to spend more time with family; joining a larger organization to gain access to broader support and technology or securing new ownership to steward the business in its next phase. Each deal is unique and a career highlight.
What was your toughest business or professional decision?
A tough decision was whether or not to join Sequeira – at the time, it was essentially a start-up and I was employee No. 1 in Vancouver. A mentor said I should base my decision on two key factors: Where I would see the most deal flow, and who I would be working with. If you get those two pieces right, you will get the experience and runway to continue to grow and develop. Ultimately, I chose to go to Sequeira and 12 years later, I still feel it is the best place for me to grow and build my practice.
How do you lead?
I try to lead by giving people the tools they need to succeed and get out of their way. My thoughts on leadership has evolved significantly over time – as an athlete, it was showing up every day and leading by example. And then as I transitioned from athlete to the working world, I embraced value-based leadership. How does what you stand for show up day to day and influence decision-making? Today, a focus for me is inclusion – our team has great diversity and providing an environment where individuals can contribute, learn and challenge each other is a priority.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned in business?
Relationships are everything.
Best piece of advice ever received?
Be process-focused versus outcome-focused. If you consistently put in the work and focus on the things that matter, the outcome will take care of itself.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Be patient – your career is not a sprint. Focus on the long game.
What's left to accomplish?
Lots!
Is there anyone you would like to thank or acknowledge?
There are so many – I am very grateful and consider myself very lucky. My parents who gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming the best basketball player I could be. My coaches who taught me that hard work and effort trumps talent every time. My mentors and colleagues who have encouraged me to push out of my comfort zone. The many professional women in my network, especially Kellie Manchester, who have set amazing examples of how to thrive in male-dominated industries. And last but not least, my husband who is everything I could ask for in a partner.
Read Q&As with all 40 award recipients here. Tickets to the 2023 Forty Under 40 Awards gala on Feb. 7 are now available.
