Stepping Into His New Role, Bryan Burns Maintains A Clear-Eyed Vision To See Family Businesses Supported, Succeeding And Thriving
VANCOUVER ISLAND – Bryan Burns relocated to Victoria almost two years ago from the Okanagan, excited about what Island life had to offer both naturally and professionally.
“I love the ocean and hills. It’s a beautiful place to balance business and life,” Bryan exclaims.
Bryan Burns brings an enthusiastic approach to his role as new Executive Director of the Family Business Association Vancouver Island
Bryan came to Vancouver Island with significant corporate and not-for-profit organization leadership under his belt, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit to go with it. It was only natural he be drawn to his most recent role, stepping into long-time Executive Director Bernadine Rudichuk’s shoes to helm the Family Business Association Vancouver Island.
The FBA-VI focuses on providing educational events and advisory teams to help support and contribute to the success of family businesses, welcoming members of all sizes and industry types. With an incredible cross section of members from small businesses to large corporations in a variety of industries, the association creates lasting connections in a number of different segments of the economy that generate different perspectives. Those relationships provide growth opportunities to each of the FBA-VI’s active members.
Bryan came into his role with a goal to continue enhancing the membership growth of FBA-VI by building strong relationships in the community with new member development, maximizing the value for the association’s current membership base. Bryan is also compelled to nurture the culture within the FBA-VI. His personal ethos and the way he lives his life even outside of his position colours everything he does within it.
Explains Bryan, “I love to be part of the development of people and processes by valuing leadership to create inspired company cultures; that is exactly what the FBA provides. I am an active trail runner who believes in the power of play to lead a dynamic life. I continuously strive to find fun solutions to build workplace relationships, connect people and increase communication. Outside of the FBA I spend time on Inspired by Play, a corporate and personal team building organization, which is coincidentally a family startup as well. I want my energy and passion towards personal development to be contagious.”
The FBA-VI was created from its departure as a member organization of CAFE, the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises. In 2016 the FBA-VI was established with a new non-profit organization, bylaws and mandate. At that time, FBA Atlantic Canada struck out on their own as well, with FBA Saskatchewan rebranded later. Today, they share best practices and ideas to increase value to their members. This cooperation and shared goals build a strong support structure for family businesses across the island.
“With so many family-managed businesses on Vancouver Island, the FBA-VI provides a place to promote the well-being and understanding of family enterprises through idea exchange, education, experiences and practices pertaining to the issues surrounding family-owned businesses,” notes Bryan.
As with many, the FBA-VI has had to adapt to the difficulties if pandemic, but the association has taken the altered state of serving their members in stride, with the board making adjustments to ensure members, sponsors and partners know Bryan and his colleagues are there for them.
“We have taken our educational and FBA Teams on-line and our signature event, the FBA Awards, will be virtual in April 2021. We are family, and strive to move forward with new strategies and connections to continue to build from this experience even during these complicated times,” Bryan elaborates.
And while, like the rest of Canada, Vancouver Island is working through the various impacts of pandemic life, Bryan is as committed as ever to supporting current and future members, striving to create an environment of prosperity for family businesses across Vancouver Island.
“I’m immersing myself in the past history of our association. Over the last eight years, outgoing ED Bernadine Rudichuk has done a tremendous job, and I look forward to continuing in her footsteps. I’ll continue meeting the board, members, sponsors and partners, reviewing our current strategic plans and creating action items to continue to move forward. We’ll always be there for family businesses across Vancouver Island.”
www.familybusinessassociationvi.ca
