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 bioLytical Laboratories chair and CEO Robert Mackie, who will be recognized with a BC CEO Award at an in-person event Nov. 15
With more than 30 years of business experience, Mackie has built an extensive portfolio of successful ventures, including co-founding and owning one of the largest mobile communications companies in Western Canada. He founded and continues to lead bioLytical Laboraties, which provides a range of instant, accurate tests for infectious diseases, including COVID-19, HIV and Hepatitis C. Born and raised in B.C., Mackie received a real estate management and broker’s licence from the University of British Columbia in 1992. BioLytical was federally incorporated 10 years later.
The following Q&A with Mackie has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
What has been your greatest business or career success to date?
My greatest business success to date was founding bioLytical Laboratories and realizing the social impact of testing people for one of the world’s deadliest viruses. Building the company from the ground up has allowed us to create a platform that has tested over 36 million people and helped link them to care. By increasing global testing access, bioLytical has helped reduce the risk of onward transmission through helping people make informed health decisions by learning their status. Knowing that the products bioLytical develops and manufactures make a net positive difference in people’s lives worldwide has inspired me as we continue to grow.
What was your toughest professional or career decision?
The toughest professional decision was to learn the power of resilience through all events and environments. When building bioLytical and our INSTI platform, I committed to supporting this new company as I believed in our testing platform and knew we had something that could change how the world tested. By continuing to fund bioLytical while INSTI grew, even through lean times, I learned to act resiliently and keep going in our belief that we could change the world.
Best piece of advice you’ve received?
A close friend told me, “Don’t engage if there is no upside.” It has helped me approach conversations and people with a view that helps me build bridges in all situations. Considering the desired outcome and all sides of a conversation or decision, especially the person on the other end, has helped me create effective working and personal relationships that have served me well both as a leader and individual.
How do you lead?
As a leader, I believe in trusting my team. I have learned that you cannot do everything yourself and that we are stronger as a team. At bioLytical, we have built a straightforward but approachable culture that lets our people do what they are best at. By giving a sense of empowerment and a platform to do their best, I have learned that if you trust in your team and the different styles of work that individuals bring to a company, people feel a sense of ownership and pride that will inspire them to create and innovate because they know that their ideas will be heard and that everyone plays a valuable role in the success of our company.
Biggest personal and professional areas of growth over the past year?
The biggest area of personal and professional growth has been my embrace of delegation, which has been a potent catalyst for success at bioLytical and individually. Through delegation, I have learned that there is no one way to get things done. This strategic decision has unlocked the potential of this amazing team we have at bioLytical. With this mindset, we have created a culture of collaboration where we can leverage the skills and strengths of each team member, encouraging a strong sense of empowerment, which has led to more innovation and increased efficiencies.
