Interview: Judi Hess on What it Takes to be a Leader

BCBusiness Leadership Series

Copperleaf CEO Judi Hess sat down with BCBusiness magazine to discuss her collaborative leadership style and the importance of hiring more women in a male-dominated industry.

In her interview, Judi talks about:

• what she does to increase the number of women in tech
• how to lead in an industry that is quickly growing and changing
• three things she would advise a young person who aspires to become a CEO
• the techniques she uses to motivate people and inspire loyalty

When asked about the importance of diversity, she comments:

I think it’s a big deal. I overtly support the value and the benefits of diversity…people are informed by what they see. So both women and men expect men to be leaders. And both men and women expect there to be more men inside these technology companies… that’s what you see, so that’s what you expect… I don’t accept any of those things.

Judi also shares her approach to a collaborative work environment:

I want you to speak out. I have a good overview of a lot of things, but I don’t know specifically about your area, so you tell me what you recommend.

This article was published in the November 2017 issue of BCBusiness magazine and on BCBusiness.ca. Read the full leadership series here.