Tim Draper

My career has been in the Technology sector, most recently as VP of Enterprise Solutions for large business clients. Tim 2.0 sees me embarking on a consulting career focused on the development and integration of technology and business strategy.

As I have developed in my career, I began to recognize the importance of a more balanced approach to achieve sustainable business and personal success. I started to understand that for myself and for the teams I supported, it was important to align personal and professional values to enable meaning and engagement at work and at home. This is an area of ongoing growth and interest for me that I hope to continue to develop and share with others.

I am drawn to the OWL initiative as I believe it has the potential to inform and help enable the delicate balance of personal and professional success and happiness. Our current time has highlighted for me why I believe this is an imperative for future generations.

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Richard Fyfe

My career has been in Law and I’m currently the Deputy Attorney General for British Columbia.

We have been through a time of rapid change and awakening in all areas of the justice sector.  Whether through our efforts to increase “access to justice”, or discussions as to the life experiences that lead to legal problems, I have been very fortunate to learn from the many brilliant and dedicated people both within the Ministry of AG and throughout the justice sector and the broader social sector.

I have seen, and sometimes made, the personal sacrifices that seem unavoidable in a demanding legal practice and have come to understand the importance of balance and personal connections in a successful life path.

I am especially honoured for the opportunity to work with the OWL initiative to better understand and promote the understanding of the vital importance of a balance of personal and professional success and happiness, as well as the elements that often make this difficult to achieve.  I am particularly interested in the different views of this balance among successive generations and look forward to both learning from and contributing to OWL.

Laura Nashman

I am the CEO of the BC Pension Corporation, one of the largest pension service providers in Canada. Mostly I am a leader, truly dedicated to creating organizations where people can be their best and thrive.

My career in the broader public sector is a testament to this calling having improved organization culture, clarified strategy and defined what it means to be a positive leader in several organizations.

My areas of expertise are leadership, strategy and culture. My sincere interest in improving work-life through collaboration across disciplines with academics, researchers, and practitioners draws me to the OWL project.

I want to contribute to the vision. I want to be an active voice in this important conversation — and learn a few things along the way.

Tania Miller

I’m an orchestra conductor and have experienced leadership and performance in my role on the podium, making music and sharing an experience with a host of talented professionals.

I’ve learned that the best leadership comes from a balance between having a vision and leading that vision; listening to, sharing in and experiencing the contributions of others in a team; and understanding that creativity is a force that goes beyond any of us. Leadership, then, for me is to act as a conduit for possibility—to work with a team of musicians to create skills, awareness, understanding and knowledge—but to also respect and seek the flow of how connections are made in a moment when all are focused and working together in a united way as an orchestra does in an inspired performance.

I was the Music Director of the Victoria Symphony for 14 years, and continue to conduct orchestras around the world as a guest conductor. I worked in a variety of leadership roles as Music Director—roles that included working with a Board, financial, marketing, long-range planning as well as leadership within the greater community.

Communication about the impact and vital essence of music in our lives was an important part of my leadership and passion.

I’m excited to be a part of OWL because leadership is a conversation about the way we all impact and relate to each other and I’m thrilled to be a part of that conversation and to learn from a team of researchers, professionals and fellow leaders.

Wei Shao

Prior to my legal career I had experience working in academic institutions and international organizations.

I am now a partner with the global law firm of Dentons and co-lead of China Service at Dentons Canada LLP dealing with people and transactions across Asia Pacific.

My career, my work and my life cut across cultural and geographic lines and always have a cross-border component. I have learned that balancing and rebalancing in the ever changing social, business and political context is a never ending exercise everywhere, whether for individuals like me or organizations we work for, to achieve and sustain success.

The vision and essence of the OWL initiative enlightens. I would like to contribute to the initiative, and its growth. I know that similar initiatives are being conceptualized and taking shape in other countries, not coincidentally. There will be greater degree of harmony and happiness if the OWL principles and values are shared and followed by more people and organizations in Canada and beyond.