BIV is proud to recognize eight exceptional corporate executives with 2023 C-Suite Awards.
Six CEOs and two CFOs were recently featured in BIV's print edition, including BCAA president and CEO Eric Hopkins, who will be recognized with a BC CEO Award at an in-person event Nov. 15.
Hopkins assumed the role of CEO and president of BCAA at the end of 2019, following eight years with the organization as chief strategic ventures officer and then chief digital officer. At BCAA, which serves nearly half of B.C. households, he conceptualized and led the launch of Evo Car Share, and launched BCAA’s Auto Service Centres. Hopkins previously held leadership roles at The Globe and Mail and Coca-Cola.
The following Q&A with Hopkins has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
What has been your greatest business or career success to date?
Making organizational purpose the touchstone of our organization, and our impact the foundation of how we measure success. Seeing how our teams supported British Columbians through the pandemic really made me appreciate that what we do best directly links to our purpose. Formalizing that and focusing our entire organization and culture around it is exciting work. Seeing how we show up for our province every day is truly rewarding.
What was your toughest professional or career decision?
Not a decision but a mindset. Pushing through when others have doubts around an entrepreneurial vision. I’m an innovator by nature. It’s easy to get discouraged when others don’t see the possibilities, question the potential or resist the change. But you need to learn how to bring people along – to show the data, thinking and possibilities and galvanize them. It takes patience, empathy and an unstoppable belief, but the only way to move forward is together.
Best piece of advice you’ve received?
Be humble. Very early in my career, I worked in an exceedingly competitive environment and loved it. I got up every day looking to “win,” but that carried over into my team where I self-celebrated a little too much. One day, my wife told me (honestly and pointedly) that I was coming off as a jerk. It hit home and didn’t reflect my absolute belief in team success. Since then, I’ve always appreciated and celebrated the talent of those around me because we’re always more successful together. I also have trusted and objective people in both my private and professional life who will speak with radical candor whenever necessary.
How do you lead?
I’m myself; a pretty informal guy – I wear Birkenstocks, I walk around and talk to people. I visit our teams across B.C. and appreciate candor and deep conversations. I host townhalls and talk to my leaders constantly, but I also know when to step back and let them do their jobs. I listen and pressure test and I’m curious, but I’m not interested in a top-down approach. I’m passionate about leading in a way that brings everyone together behind a common purpose – they want to be here; they believe in the work we’re doing and what we can achieve together.
Biggest personal and professional areas of growth over the past year?
It’s a tough economy to work in but we’ve stayed focused and doubled down on giving members and customers value for money. We’ve continued to improve our service by investing in our people, technology and systems. Communication is key. It’s about being open and honest and making sure that our teams are passionate about what they are doing – that they feel informed, engaged and supported.
Tickets are available to BIV's 2023 C-Suite Awards on Nov. 15 in Vancouver. More information on the event and this year's award winners is available here.
