Whether it’s her ability to build bridges, connect communities or ensure the needs of business are always met, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to suggest Angie Whitfield worked as a civil engineer in a past life.
And it’s precisely those innate traits of an engineer that Whitfield brings to her new position as CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade, a position she’s headed up since mid August.
“It’s been fantastic so far – really a dream job for me,” Whitfield says. “Being able to support businesses and bring them together to be more prosperous is an idea that I love.”
Whitfield’s new gig comes after 20 years of experience in major event planning and business advocacy roles, where she was most recently with the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce and Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association. She studied recreation management and headed up large festivals – the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest, for example – for years prior to landing in her current role.
It’s been through those experiences that Whitfield has gained a deep-seated knowledge of what makes both people and businesses tick to the betterment of entire communities. And with an extensive background in team sports – both as a participant and coach – Whitfield knows the inherent values of leadership and team building.
At my core, I'm a connector. I genuinely love meeting people, learning about what they do, and figuring out how we can support them," Whitfield shares. "I've been told I'm an inspiring leader, and I like to believe that. What really drives me is empowering my team, setting a shared vision, and getting everyone excited about working together toward a common goal."
Job one on Whitfield’s to-do list is to modernize the Board of Trade’s digital footprint across its website and social media platforms. It’s part of an effort to reach beyond those who traditionally connect with the board – to cast the net to the entire economic ecosystem and beyond.
"I want to share the BBOT story with a larger audience," Whitfield says. "We’re a modern board of trade with a diverse board of directors, and it’s important for people to see that we reflect the vibrant and varied business community we serve. I want everyone to feel welcome and easily see who we are and how we’re here to support them."
Further to those outreach efforts, Whitfield looks forward to a new strategic planning process that will kick off in the new year. Similar to her approach for the board’s online presence, Whitfield wants to present the Burnaby Board of Trade as a 21st century operation that caters to 21st century business needs.
"I want the BBOT to reflect the modern business landscape, where every business—no matter the size, industry or how long they've been around—knows they belong here," says Whitfield. "We understand that today's business owners face unique challenges, and it’s important for us to evolve, connect better and offer solutions that truly meet their needs."
To learn more about how the Burnaby Board of Trade aids local businesses visit bbot.ca/.
