Fiona Douglas-Crampton
President and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace + Education,
New Chair of The Vancouver Board of Trade's Women's Leadership Circle for 2015-16.
September 2015
Fiona Douglas-Crampton on success, career advice, and the Women's Leadership Circle
"Our goal is to move the perception of women as a disadvantaged group, to seeing women as a strategic advantage."
What is your vision for the Women's Leadership Circle this year?
Our goal is to move the perception from women as a disadvantaged group, to seeing women as a strategic advantage. This is not just a more realistic and positive view, it's also true. So it's the overall theme for our work this year.
Describe your business in 10 words or less.
A charitable organization focused on educating the hearts of children.
Why did you join The Vancouver Board of Trade?
I started as an employee! I was on the Membership Marketing Team for almost six years. I knew The Vancouver Board of Trade was the centre of the business community, but didn't realize just how valuable the relationships would be in the future.
How do you define success?
Success to me is about having a meaningful life. For me, that's a combination of strong loving relationships, feeling that I am contributing to others' lives and being helpful, and a steady stream of new challenges and learning opportunities.
What advice do you have for other young professionals?
Don't worry about trying to "plan" out your life or career path. Life has too many twists and turns for that. Instead, focus on getting clear on your values, being self-aware, building strong relationships, and being brave and positive.
What are you most proud of?
For me it always comes down to relationships. The life I have with my family is by far the best thing I've ever been a part of.
Where do you get your best ideas?
I am definitely an extrovert and a people person. So I get my best ideas from brainstorming with others, preferably, face-to-face.